Definition.
The persona is the part of the psyche that shapes itself to meet the demands of the outer world. This complex has the sometimes difficult job of behaving in ways that feel — and, perhaps, are — antithetical to the deeper, authentic nature of the individual. Our persona, for instance, may present itself as a logical and fearless team player, while we more genuinely experience ourselves as timid, artistic, and introverted. Arguably, the persona’s function is to facilitate our survival, to create a ‘game face’ that allows us to integrate into the tribe.