“A person’s personality is not immutable, but can be consciously changed,” a psychologist claims – GIGAZINE

There are many different personality tests available in the world, and some people have even felt happy or depressed after seeing the results, saying things like, “I have a pessimistic personality” or “I wish I had a more cheerful and sociable personality.” There should be. Many people think that personality is difficult to change, but in AmericaUniversity of KentuckyAssociate Professor of Psychology atShannon Sauer ZavalaHe claims that “people can consciously change their personality.”

Can you change your personality? Psychology research says yes, by tweaking what you think and do
https://theconversation.com/can-you-change-your-personality-psychology-research-says-yes-by-tweaking-what-you-think-and-do-237190

Many people may be aware that the “personality tests” that are distributed on social media etc. have little scientific basis. According to Zavala, most commercial personality tests, such as those used for education and career selection, are not supported by research and do not predict future career success. .

Furthermore, Zavala said, “The most common approaches to understanding personality not only lack scientific support, but also assume that people’s traits are fixed and that they cannot escape from their innate personality.” However, modern personality science research shows that traits can and do change over time.”

Mr. Zavala, who also works as a clinical psychologist, said that he not only saw his own personality change from lazy to honest, but also that his patients’ personalities changed. . “People can intentionally shape the characteristics they need to achieve the success they desire in life. This is done by molding one’s personality and choosing partners, activities, and careers according to those characteristics.” This is the opposite of the common idea of ​​dictating,” Zavala argues.

Personality is the “characteristics of how you think, feel, and act.” In other words, “Do you think pessimistically about life?” “Do you get angry when someone cuts you in the taxi queue?” Or is there something wrong with you? The answers to questions such as “Do you think about completing tasks?” and “Do you put off tasks until the last minute, or do you gradually complete them?”

Researchers began classifying words describing human nature into categories in the 1930s, and by 1940, five broad classifications were formed, which laterbig five personality traitsIt became. The Big Five personality traits, which are widely used today, classify people into five types: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.

Many people perceive personality as something like the “core of who they are,” and some believe that if their personality changes, they become different from their original selves. However, personality does not define what you like or dislike, nor does it determine your sense of humor. Personality also differs from a person’s values ​​and what they value in life.

So even if your Big Five personality traits change from “conscientiousness” to “extraversion,” your core self will not change. “It just means you’ve learned to think, feel, and act differently to deal with the situation,” Zavala said.

Some people may think that it is difficult to change one’s personality, but people do not always think or act the same way; these things vary depending on their experiences, situations, and mindset. In other words, since personality is “characteristics of how you think, feel, and act,” it is possible to change your personality.

For example, suppose Mr. A’s personality is “not very trustworthy.” One day, Mr. A changed his mind and realized that being on time means respecting the other person, and started trying to arrive at the meeting place 5 minutes early and setting alarms and reminders. , Mr. A can be said to have acquired the “characteristics of a trustworthy person.” If you can maintain these thoughts, feelings, and behaviors over time, your personality has changed.

In fact, research has shown that as we age, our personalities change, “we become more extroverted, emotionally stable, friendly, and conscientious.”

Does your personality change as you get older? -GIGAZINE

Mr. Zavala wentthe studyBut it has been shown that people can speed up personality change by intentionally adjusting their thoughts and behaviors. According to Zavala, if you consciously try to change your personality, your personality will change in less than 20 weeks.

Zavala explains that in order to change your personality, you need to change your “thought patterns” and “behaviors.” First, by becoming aware of your own thought patterns, you can recognize when you are acting in accordance with those thoughts, and then change your behavior and see how the reactions of those around you change. By repeating this, you will understand what kind of thoughts you should have and how you should behave.

Zavala says, “Personality is your characteristic way of thinking and behaving, so these cognitive-behavioral strategies are very effective in changing your personality. This allows you to develop long-lasting habits, which in turn helps you develop the personality you desire.”