Which statement about personality is true?

• A. Your personality is the sum of your characteristics, attitudes, and behavioral traits.
• B. Personality is determined solely by genetics.
• C. Personality changes completely with every new job.
• D. Personality is identical to mood.

Answer: (A)

Personality is the relatively stable pattern of how you think, feel, and behave across time and situations. The statement that personality is the sum of your characteristics, attitudes, and behavioral traits best captures this idea, because it emphasizes an integrated system of traits that together shape you consistently, not just a single trait or momentary state.

Genetics play a role, but personality isn’t determined solely by genes—environment and experiences mold how those traits express themselves. Mood, on the other hand, is a temporary emotional state and can shift from day to day, so personality isn’t identical to mood. And while you may adapt your behavior to fit a new job, your underlying personality tends to remain relatively stable rather than changing completely with each new role.