Can you actually change your personality as an adult?
in Psychology ·
It is incredibly difficult to fundamentally alter an adult's personality. First, we have to address a crucial question: even if changes occur that are statistically significant, are they actually perceptible on a subjective or social level? In other words, does the individual themselves notice the shift, or does their inner circle see it too?
In my view, personality traits only truly shift under two specific circumstances:
a) following a severe psychological trauma
b) through the process of brainwashing.
Outside of those extremes, meaningful change is rare. Granted, studies show that a person at age 70 isn't quite the same human being they were at 18. However, that is largely the byproduct of external factors—shifting environments, moving to different cities, changing social circles, or simply the biological reality of aging. But when you look at the window between, say, ages 35 and 45, any such shifts are virtually imperceptible.
In my view, personality traits only truly shift under two specific circumstances:
a) following a severe psychological trauma
b) through the process of brainwashing.
Outside of those extremes, meaningful change is rare. Granted, studies show that a person at age 70 isn't quite the same human being they were at 18. However, that is largely the byproduct of external factors—shifting environments, moving to different cities, changing social circles, or simply the biological reality of aging. But when you look at the window between, say, ages 35 and 45, any such shifts are virtually imperceptible.