Ethical personality development: How your temperament shapes your behaviour

Is your personality truly neutral – or does it influence your moral decisions more than you think? Based on current psychological research, this article shows how personality traits such as temperament, conscientiousness and emotional stability are ethically relevant. It also explains how you can work specifically on developing your character – for a more conscious and responsible life.

What it's all about:

These topics await you – always in the context of ethical personality development, moral temperament and behavioural ethics:

• What does ethical personality development actually mean?

• Is personality really morally neutral?

• How does our temperament influence our ethical behaviour?

• Which personality traits are particularly relevant to morality?

• What role does character development play from a psychological perspective?

• How are personality traits and moral decisions related?

• Is it possible to change one's own moral temperament?

• Why is conscientiousness central to moral action?

• Are there personality traits that promote ethical behaviour?

• What concrete steps help in ethical personality development?

What does ethical personality development actually mean?

Ethical personality development refers to the conscious change and strengthening of personality traits with the aim of acting in a more morally responsible manner. The focus is on qualities such as self-discipline, empathy, emotional balance and the ability to take on different perspectives.

In contrast to the former distinction between ‘character’ (malleable) and ‘personality’ (innate), today both are understood as closely interwoven. Studies show that people who have a stable, balanced temperament find it easier to act morally, even in difficult situations. Why this is important: If personality influences our decisions, then consciously developing it is also an ethical task – and not merely a self-improvement project.

Is personality really morally neutral?

For a long time, personality was considered morally indifferent – character, on the other hand, was supposed to be good or bad. However, research findings in recent years have called this assumption into question.

An example: Low conscientiousness correlates with carelessness, impulsive behaviour and a low commitment to rules. These are behaviours that have a direct impact on others – whether through omissions, unreliable communication or ill-considered decisions. High neuroticism, i.e. emotional instability, also leads people to be guided by fear, anger or insecurity rather than acting in a reflective and responsible manner. Conclusion: Personality influences our behaviour – and so our moral impact on others.

How does our temperament influence our ethical behaviour?

Temperament forms the biological core of our personality. It determines how we respond to stimuli, how quickly we become stressed or irritated, and the extent to which we react emotionally.

An impulsive person may react with accusations or anger when they feel hurt. An emotionally stable person, on the other hand, recognises the same situation – such as rejection – as an opportunity for reflection or development.

Why this is crucial: Temperament acts as an ethical filter. It influences not only our reactions, but also our perception of situations. Those who react more calmly can act in a more morally considered manner.

Which personality traits are particularly relevant to morality?

From a psychological perspective, the Big Five model distinguishes between five stable personality dimensions. Several of these have a direct impact on moral behaviour:

• Conscientiousness: Acting in a planned and careful manner increases reliability and reduces moral lapses.

• Agreeableness: Friendly, cooperative people are more likely to display altruistic behaviour.

• Neuroticism: High emotional reactivity can impair moral judgement under stress.

• Openness to experience: People with a high degree of openness are more willing to take on different perspectives – a key factor in behavioural ethics.

• Extraversion: This facilitates prosocial communication and makes moral behaviour visible in groups.

Conclusion: These characteristics are not moral virtues – but they do help shape the path to ethical behaviour.

What role does character formation play from a psychological perspective?

Traditionally, character formation was understood as the task of education, religion or philosophy. Today, psychology adds important insights to this view: character does not develop in a vacuum, but grows in interaction with personality traits, the environment and consciously set goals.

A person who works in a profession with high ethical standards, such as a doctor or lawyer, will also shape their personality accordingly through experience, routines and role models: more self-control, more sense of responsibility, more foresight.

This means that character development is not a counter-model to personality psychology, but rather its ethical and moral application.

How are personality traits and moral decisions related?

Psychological research shows that certain personality traits increase the likelihood of morally responsible behaviour:

• Conscientious people keep their promises, think long-term and act reliably.

• Agreeable people are helpful and avoid conflict.

• Emotionally stable people are less likely to be led into wrongdoing by fear or anger.

In addition, goals, roles and self-images have an impact on personality. For example, people who resolve to act more empathetically will also become more open and agreeable over time.

In short, moral decisions and personality structure influence each other.

Is it possible to change one's own moral temperament?

Yes, there is growing scientific evidence that personality traits can be changed. Although they are considered relatively stable, they are not immutable.

An example: Studies have shown that the PEACH app leads to significant improvements in traits such as conscientiousness and emotional stability. Participants kept diaries, watched short instructional videos, and set themselves specific goals – known as micro-interventions. Insight: Small nudges – applied continuously – change not only behaviour over time, but also the underlying personality patterns.

Why is conscientiousness central to moral behaviour?

Conscientiousness describes the ability to act in an organised, planned and responsible manner – a core component of moral behaviour.

A conscientious person:

• keeps promises,

• thinks about consequences,

• and takes responsibility for their actions.

If this trait is missing, moral mistakes often do not arise from malicious intent, but from carelessness, forgetfulness or a lack of self-regulation.

Therefore, conscientiousness is not just a career factor – it is an ethical compass in everyday life.

Are there personality traits that promote ethical behaviour?

There are no ‘good’ or ‘bad’ personality traits – but some make moral behaviour easier:

• Agreeableness promotes compassion and consideration.

• Openness encourages perspective-taking and moral learning.

• Extraversion supports social engagement and moral role modelling.

• Conscientiousness enables adherence to principles and reliability.

However, courageous decisions, setting boundaries or withstanding criticism require other traits, such as assertiveness or emotional independence.

The goal is therefore not an ideal profile, but a situation-appropriate, reflective personality structure.

What concrete steps help with ethical personality development?

Would you like to work specifically on your personality in terms of ethical development? Then the following steps will help:

• Promote self-reflection: Keep a moral diary about difficult situations and your reactions.

• Formulate goals: Formulate specifically which ethical values you want to live by.

• Actively seek feedback: Get feedback on how your behaviour affects others.

• Targeted micro-interventions: Use digital tools, journaling methods or coaching to regularly practise desired traits.

Important: Personality development takes time, patience and a willingness to ask yourself uncomfortable questions. But it is worth it – for you and for those around you.

Summary: The most important points at a glance

• Personality is not morally neutral.

• Moral temperament directly influences our ethical behaviour.

• Conscientiousness, agreeableness, emotional stability and openness are morally relevant traits.

• Personality traits can be changed through conscious practice and digital micro-interventions.

• Character development is a dynamic process involving goal orientation, self-reflection and psychological structure.

• Ethical personality development combines personal responsibility with social impact.