According to renowned psychologist Carl Jung, the persona is the social face or role an individual presents to the world. The root of the word persona comes from the Greek word "actor's mask." When used in the context of Jung's model of the psyche, the persona is a social mask that conceals the authentic nature of the individual, much like a mask at a Masquerade.

The persona is a necessary aspect of our social lives, allowing us to fit in and play a particular role in society. For example, when we are at work, we have a specific job title that defines our role and responsibilities. We wear the persona of our job title while we are at work, but we are more than just our job title. However, compromising our full self and individuality to wear the mask of our job title preserves social order within the company.