Can we change our personality through intentional effort?

India
October 12, 2024 1:02pm CST
Personality consists of our thoughts, feelings and behaviours. It is a complex and interesting subject. There are various ways to categorize personality, the easiest being into introverts and extroverts. Question is whether personality can be altered through intentional change? We have seen in movies and sometimes in life, where people change a lot. Bad guys become good guys; rebel students become studious etc. My initial thought has been ‘Yes’ based on these observations. However, a closer look at the question made me realize otherwise. Personality consists of fixed and variable traits. Intentional efforts can definitely alter the variable traits and reshape the outlook for these traits. Although the variable traits can influence our fixed traits, the fixed traits remain stable throughout lifetime. An introvert may choose to engage in social activities on a frequent basis and show a more outgoing demeanour. However, the foundational tendencies of being an introvert would remain within the person although it may be masked by the new behaviour or tendency could be controlled by the new social comfort the person is experiencing. A rebellious student may become studious. But the elements of being rebel would be there and would not aroused by the new studious nature. So In short we may not be able to do a full transformation of every aspect of who we are , however with effort and long term grooming some aspects of our variable traits can be improved . So what is your take on the same?
8 people like this
7 responses
@arunima25 (87575)
• Bangalore, India
12 Oct
What a coincidence! Just a little while ago, I was writing something on the similar line for my assignment ( a course that I am a part of right now). Our personality has a lot of traits, and most are fixed. One being the basic temperament.. Temperaments don't change, but depending on the realisation, environmental factors and conscious effort of the person, behavioural changes come. They might become your habit and slowly an intrinsic part of you.
2 people like this
• India
14 Oct
Well, thats interesting coincidence. I was not aware that most traits are fixed and well I was aware that behavioural changes are possible. Thanks for shairng!
@arunima25 (87575)
• Bangalore, India
22h
@RevivedWarrior I have read in detail about these things as a counselor and special educator.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (178806)
• United States
12 Oct
They used to say personality was fixed, and now they say it can be changed..even intelligence supposedly can be changed.
2 people like this
• India
14 Oct
Intelligence can defiitely be modified. It is all about exposure and constant training of the brain. Thanks for sharing!
@kaylachan (67399)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
12 Oct
A person's always evolving and changing as they grow age and are influenced by external factors. If a person wants change, then it will happen.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (67399)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
14 Oct
@RevivedWarrior Not a problem.
1 person likes this
• India
14 Oct
People do eveolve with time and you are spot on - A person who wants to change will change. Thanks for sharing!
• Philippines
13 Oct
Nothing will be change without our personal intention to change it, so I will say Yes, we can change if we intend to with a genuine intention.
1 person likes this
• India
14 Oct
Our intention is definitely required to make changes. Thanks for sharing!
@RebeccasFarm (89231)
• Arvada, Colorado
15 Oct
Well as I was doing hairdressing and beauty consults, I often had to change my personality to make sales.
1 person likes this
• India
16 Oct
Thats an interesting experience and a good reason to have personality changes as well. Thanks for sharing!
@anya12adwi (7581)
• India
13 Oct
Yes! I agree that as we evolve and get exposed to many stuffs!
1 person likes this
• India
14 Oct
@RevivedWarrior Have a great week!
1 person likes this
• India
14 Oct
Yes, with our experience, our behaviours could change , so does our outlook. Thanks for sharing!
@allknowing (134115)
• India
13 Oct
Sometimes due to circumstances one is forced for one's survival.
1 person likes this
• India
14 Oct
Never thought of that one- and it is true , we can change just for our survival. Thanks for sharing!