Salene Riggins
Our personality will be impacted by the company we keep, the physical environment we find ourselves in and this combination creates changes in our personality. Because personality can change depending on the situation and our environment that we are raised, personalities shift across the lifespan. Personality change is cumulative over our lifespan happening in response to our life experiences as we age. Our personalities are a mix of stable and unstable changes that occur gradually instead of all at once.
Personality changes in a more positive direction, for example becoming more conscientious, more emotionally stable and more agreeable as we age and experience life. This proves that environment and experience, not just genetics plays a significant role in how personality develops as we age. Personality is defined as individual differences in characteristics that evolve from biological and environmental factors. Focusing on the developmental based stage models of personality, Vallant’s research supports personality changes as we age for example, developing an acceptance of the strengths and weaknesses of others. Personalities as we age shift to understand that people are not perfect so we adjust to accommodate this shift to keep the meaning versus rigor.
Major life events can lead to changes in personality. For example, noticing your bad personality is a problem where your alienated from family and friends can be a motivation for change. A common theme among personality theorists is a life review allowing you to examine and evaluate your life. Evidence supports that a life review is important allowing people to continue their personality growth that ultimately shifts across the lifespan.
There are multiple layers to my personality constantly changing that’s why I align with the developmental based stage model of personality. I have personally changed my personality a few times across my lifespan by executing a life review. I have a strategy to changing my personality throughout life to help me navigate this tough world successfully. I set personality goals by visualizing my ideal self. I watch and imitate those who inspire me regularly. I turn my negatives into positives. I focus on one personality trait at a time to make mine better. Lastly, I remain aware of my behavior.
Thinking of personality as fixed or stable in my opinion says you can never grow however, personality research specialist say that the big five personality traits provides a baseline for a stable personality. The trait theorist of personality argues the big five traits that describe an individual remain consistent throughout life. This is intriguing because for example, genetics also plays a part in determining personality but our environmental influences have an effect on making those traits consistent throughout the lifespan. Our environment constantly changes thus shifting trait changes which become personality changes.
In conclusion, compare a toddler to a teen to a retiree, I have observed that change is the only permanent thing that happens in life because depending on the situation and environment we are in our personality shifts across the lifespan. We are influenced by those around us and our changing environment. In my opinion the trait approach does not address the environmental factors that change thus causing personality shifts throughout the lifespan. Personalities are like clay, constantly getting molded by their changing circumstances.
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