Final answer:
Option (C). Personality refers to the enduring patterns of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that define how a person adapts to the world, reflecting both genetic and environmental influences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pattern of enduring, distinctive thoughts, emotions, and behavior that characterizes the way a person adapts to the world is known as a personality. This concept encompasses the long-standing traits and patterns that drive individuals to consistently think, feel, and behave in specific ways.
These traits and behaviors lead to the unique characteristics of an individual, making each person distinct. In addition, the term personality is derived from the Latin word persona, which refers to a mask that an actor wears in the theatre to project specific traits of a character.
Moreover, personalities are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, with culture playing a significant role in shaping these traits. Temperament, which appears very early in life, has a biological basis and includes personality differences such as activity levels. However, while temperament is considered more innate, personality is a more comprehensive and stable construct that encompasses a range of enduring behaviors and emotional patterns.