Personal vs. Interpersonal — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 26, 2023
Personal pertains to an individual’s private life; interpersonal involves interactions between people.
Difference Between Personal and Interpersonal
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Personal relates to an individual's private matters, emotions, or experiences. Interpersonal, in contrast, refers to interactions and relationships between two or more people. While personal encompasses an individual's inner world, interpersonal focuses on social connections and exchanges.
In the context of skills, personal skills are abilities related to self-management, like time management or self-discipline. Interpersonal skills, however, involve communication and relationship-building abilities, crucial for effective interactions with others.
When discussing problems or challenges, personal issues are those that an individual faces alone, like self-esteem or health concerns. Interpersonal issues arise in the context of relationships, like conflicts or communication barriers with others.
In professional settings, personal development focuses on improving an individual's abilities and potential. Interpersonal development emphasizes enhancing one’s ability to relate, cooperate, and effectively interact with others.
In the realm of psychology, personal aspects might include an individual's thoughts, feelings, or personal history. Interpersonal psychology studies the dynamics of interactions, relationships, and social behaviors among people.
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Comparison Chart
Focus
Individual
Between people
Skills
Self-management, introspection
Communication, teamwork
Issues
Inner challenges, self-improvement
Relationship problems, social dynamics
Development
Personal growth, self-awareness
Relationship building, social skills
Psychology
Individual psyche
Group dynamics, social interactions
Compare with Definitions
Personal
Individual
Her personal goals are ambitious.
Interpersonal
Social Interaction
Their interpersonal skills are exceptional.
Personal
Subjective
Personal opinions vary widely.
Interpersonal
Relational
Effective communication is key in interpersonal relationships.
Personal
Belonging to One
This is my personal responsibility.
Interpersonal
Collaborative
Team projects require strong interpersonal abilities.
Personal
Belonging to or affecting a particular person rather than anyone else
Her personal fortune was recently estimated at £37 million
Interpersonal
Relating to Others
He is studying interpersonal communication.
Personal
Of or concerning one's private life, relationships, and emotions rather than one's career or public life
The book describes his sporting career and gives little information about his personal life
Interpersonal
Between Individuals
Interpersonal conflicts can be challenging.
Personal
Relating to a person's body
Personal hygiene
Interpersonal
Of or relating to the interactions between individuals
Interpersonal skills.
Personal
Of or denoting one of the three persons.
Interpersonal
Existing or occurring between individuals
Interpersonal communication or conflict.
Personal
Existing as a self-aware entity, not as an abstraction or an impersonal force
He rejected the notion of a personal God
Interpersonal
Between two or more people.
Personal
An advertisement or message in the personal column of a newspaper.
Interpersonal
Occurring among or involving several people;
Interpersonal situations in which speech occurs
Personal
Of or relating to a particular person; private
“Like their personal lives, women's history is fragmented, interrupted” (Elizabeth Janeway).
Personal
Done, made, or performed in person
A personal appearance.
Personal
Done to or for or directed toward a particular person
A personal favor.
Personal
Concerning a particular person and that person's private business, interests, or activities; intimate
I have something personal to tell you.
Personal
Aimed pointedly at the most intimate aspects of a person, especially in a critical or hostile manner
An uncalled-for, highly personal remark.
Personal
Tending to make remarks, or be unduly questioning, about another's affairs
As the student debate got heated, it got personal.
Personal
Of or relating to the body or physical being
Personal cleanliness.
Personal
Relating to or having the nature of a person or self-conscious being
Belief in a personal God.
Personal
(Law) Of or relating to the person
Personal property as opposed to real property.
Personal jurisdiction as opposed to in rem jurisdiction.
Personal
(Grammar) Indicating grammatical person.
Personal
A personal item or notice in a newspaper.
Personal
Personals A column in a newspaper or magazine featuring personal notices.
Personal
Pertaining to persons (human beings as opposed to things or animals).
Personal
Of or pertaining to a particular person; relating to, or affecting, an individual, or each of many individuals
Her song was her personal look at the values of friendship.
Personal values
Personal desire
Personal
Dealing with subjects about which one wishes (or people usually wish) to maintain privacy or discretion; not for public view; sensitive, intimate.
You can't read my diary—it is personal.
That's a very personal question.
I can't believe you went through my drawers and looked at all my personal things!
Personal reasons
Personal
(euphemistic) Intended for sexual use.
Personal lubricant; personal massager
Personal
Pertaining to the external or bodily appearance; corporeal; bodily.
Personal charms
Personal
Done in person; without an intermediary.
A personal interview
A personal meeting
Personal settings
Personal
Relating to an individual, their character, conduct, motives, or private affairs, in an invidious and offensive manner
Personal reflections or remarks
Personal
(grammar) Denoting a person or people.
A personal pronoun
Personal
Denoting ownership.
One's personal vehicle, as opposed to a company vehicle
Personal
An advertisement by which an individual attempts to meet others with similar interests.
Personal
One's own property or asset
Personal
Pertaining to human beings as distinct from things.
Every man so termed by way of personal difference.
Personal
Of or pertaining to a particular person; relating to, or affecting, an individual, or each of many individuals; peculiar or proper to private concerns; not public or general; as, personal comfort; personal desire.
The words are conditional, - If thou doest well, - and so personal to Cain.
Personal
Pertaining to the external or bodily appearance; corporeal; as, personal charms.
Personal
Done in person; without the intervention of another.
The immediate and personal speaking of God.
Personal
Relating to an individual, his character, conduct, motives, or private affairs, in an invidious and offensive manner; as, personal reflections or remarks.
Personal
Denoting person; as, a personal pronoun.
Personal
A movable; a chattel.
Personal
A short newspaper article about a particular person or group
Personal
Concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality;
A personal favor
For your personal use
Personal papers
I have something personal to tell you
A personal God
He has his personal bank account and she has hers
Personal
Particular to a given individual
Personal
Of or arising from personality;
Personal magnetism
Personal
Intimately concerning a person's body or physical being;
Personal hygiene
Personal
Indicating grammatical person;
Personal verb endings
Personal
Private
He keeps his personal life separate from work.
Personal
Intimate
This is my personal diary.
Common Curiosities
Can personal issues affect interpersonal relationships?
Yes, personal issues can impact how one interacts with others.
What does interpersonal mean?
Interpersonal involves interactions and relationships between people.
Do personal choices impact interpersonal dynamics?
Yes, personal choices can significantly affect relationships and social interactions.
What does personal mean?
Personal relates to an individual's private matters or characteristics.
Is personal development different from interpersonal development?
Yes, personal development focuses on the self, while interpersonal development is about social skills and relationships.
Are personal skills the same as interpersonal skills?
No, personal skills relate to self-management, while interpersonal skills are about relating to others.
Can interpersonal conflicts lead to personal introspection?
Yes, conflicts with others can prompt personal reflection and growth.
Are interpersonal skills important in the workplace?
Yes, they are crucial for teamwork and effective communication.
Can someone be good at interpersonal skills but struggle with personal issues?
Yes, it's possible to excel in social interactions while facing personal challenges.
Do interpersonal skills contribute to personal growth?
Yes, developing interpersonal skills can lead to personal insights and growth.
Are personal interests separate from interpersonal interests?
Often, but they can also overlap; personal interests can be shared or discussed in social contexts.
How do personal values influence interpersonal behavior?
Personal values often guide how one interacts and relates to others.
Can therapy address both personal and interpersonal issues?
Yes, therapy can help with individual challenges and relationship problems.
Is personal identity important in interpersonal relations?
Yes, understanding one's personal identity can aid in forming authentic interpersonal connections.
Is personal privacy important for interpersonal relationships?
Yes, respecting personal boundaries is crucial for healthy interpersonal relationships.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
