Character Structure

Character structure is used in psychology to describe a relatively stable, but dynamic organization of traits, behaviors, and emotional responses — a representation of our “character” for how we perceive and react to situations, interact with others, manage our emotions, and navigate our environments. Shaped by early childhood experiences and influences, character structure often develops as a result of coping mechanisms to manage emotional conflicts and trauma. Theoretical models propose different structures, such as oral, masochistic, psychopathic, and schizoid. Understanding character structure is helpful in providing insights into our patterns of behavior and emotions for psychiatric treatment.