I’m not a psychologist/psychiatrist, but isn’t personality not very mutable past the age of around 7? At least without psychedelics or brain damage or something?
I’ve read that this is a common myth and that personality continues to change throughout our lives (1, 2). According to some psychologists, this could be related to the end of history illusion.
The book Personality Isn’t Permanent talks a lot about personality myths and ways to change one’s personality. In the section on how to change one’s personality, he suggests (albeit doesn’t cite studies) that the reason personality changes less in adulthood than childhood may be because our environment becomes more constant and environment can shape personality.
I have never heard someone use the “end of history illusion” explicitly in this context before. I feel it is appropriate.
In the section on how to change one’s personality, he suggests (albeit doesn’t cite studies) that the reason personality changes less in adulthood than childhood may be because our environment becomes more constant and environment can shape personality.
Plus, adults have more control than children over their environments. I suspect most people choose environments conducive to their present personality. (I do the opposite by deliberately seeking out environments that nudge me toward a more dynamic personality.)
Four of the Big Five personality traits seem to be mostly immutable. I have on (what I consider to be) good evidence that neroticism can be reduced through extreme contemplative practice. This is evidence environment can shape personality. Unfortunately, a comprehensive scientific investigation of this phenomenon is not available yet.
In my personal experience, I have managed to cultivate deliberate interests too. However, I understand I am an outlier.
I’ve read that this is a common myth and that personality continues to change throughout our lives (1, 2). According to some psychologists, this could be related to the end of history illusion.
The book Personality Isn’t Permanent talks a lot about personality myths and ways to change one’s personality. In the section on how to change one’s personality, he suggests (albeit doesn’t cite studies) that the reason personality changes less in adulthood than childhood may be because our environment becomes more constant and environment can shape personality.
I have never heard someone use the “end of history illusion” explicitly in this context before. I feel it is appropriate.
Plus, adults have more control than children over their environments. I suspect most people choose environments conducive to their present personality. (I do the opposite by deliberately seeking out environments that nudge me toward a more dynamic personality.)
Four of the Big Five personality traits seem to be mostly immutable. I have on (what I consider to be) good evidence that neroticism can be reduced through extreme contemplative practice. This is evidence environment can shape personality. Unfortunately, a comprehensive scientific investigation of this phenomenon is not available yet.
In my personal experience, I have managed to cultivate deliberate interests too. However, I understand I am an outlier.