How many times have we heard someone explain that they can’t change because?How many times have you felt you couldn’t act any other way because there were certain trends in you?In all these cases, we talk about our personality: all the features. that define us and make us unique, but to what extent can we change our personality?
Personality is not something completely defined by our genes, through this we can intervene and make changes, in fact, if you do a little exercise and look back, you will realize that you have retained parts of your personality and that others have not. . Perhaps now you are more affectionate or nervous, more organized or more disorderly, more melancholy or braver, etc.
- Therefore.
- And since this is such an important concept in psychology.
- In this article we will talk about what personality is and how we can consciously influence the changes that occur there.
There are several personality definitions, several in fact, however, most agree that personality is a psychological construct that refers to an individual’s set of traits (psychic characteristics) and determines their tendencies in terms of behavior, thought and emotion.
Among the existing personality characteristics, we can find two types: temperamental traits and character traits, while temperamental traits are behavioral trends that have a heavier genetic and biological burden (we were born with these characteristics), the definition or realization of character traits would, in fact, be the result of the interaction between the person and the environment.
In short, in all temperament traits we find some that are basic and universal, such as the search for sensations, the avoidance of risk, impulsivity, activity and perseverance; and, on the other hand, in all character traits are self-management. direction (trust and ability to direct behavior towards goals important to oneself), cooperation and transcendence (taste for aesthetics and the spiritual).
All these traits, both those of temperament and of character, shape the personality and distinguish us from others, that is, we all have these traits and we differ according to one line or another, in psychology we are not technically saying that someone is impulsive or has perseverance. We prefer to say that someone has low impulsivity or strong persistence because traits are gradual concepts.
“We all have light and darkness in us, what does it matter what we choose to strengthen?. J. K. Rowling-
The answer is very clear: yes. We can change our personality and, in addition, we can influence the direction and degree we want to achieve in this transformation. Although part of the personality is hereditary, it is not a definitive genetic pattern, as in the case of certain syndromes (e. g. fragile X chromosome syndrome or Down syndrome) and because personality is one of the filters we use to relate to the world and since the world is a changing medium, it is a system that presents the possibility of change.
Character traits are easier to modify: the genetic influence on them is less and have developed (mainly) in interaction with the environment. When in theory a change in character traits, such as impulsivity, is theoretically sought, the person generally feels greater resistance to change; however, with perseverance and dedication, in many cases positive results are achieved.
Even when it comes to an older person, it is possible to change their personality, what usually happens is that the greater a person, the more resistance there is to change, what is sought is to change the way we are, the way we identify and recognize ourselves. The same one that’s been simmered for years.
For this reason, many times the person avoids changing certain personality traits and puts the reason in the age or in the fact that “it is like that and it has always been throughout life”. But these are excuses! Changing personality is possible, regardless of age, and the limits of these changes are set by the person herself. That said, now the big question is: how can we change our personality?
In order to observe personality changes, deep and constant psychological work is required, first of all, it is essential that the person really wants to change and, secondly, small daily changes are needed in the short term.
Sustainable and positive changes are those that are “slow cooking”. If you intend to change your personality overnight because your way of being is causing you problems, I’m sorry to tell you that your mission has already failed, simply on the basis of this plan. You’ll come face-to-face against a wall and, on the other hand, if you get a change (because sometimes miracles happen), you’ll probably return to your starting position in no time.
Remember, your psychological system needs time to restructure and learn to function differently. You must identify the traits you want to change and in which everyday behaviors these traits appear. I recommend that you make a list of everything you want to change and get to work on transformations that are less important to you or that you think will cost less. Usually, one is associated with the other.
? Who am I? Am I trying to find out?. J. L. Borges-
To change personality, it is also necessary to be able to propose an objective assessment of this change, that is, in addition to identifying the traits that you want to change, the ideal is to make references to?Measure? This change. For example, if the line to change is impulsivity, you need to know if you’re less impulsive or impulsive, and a possible measure?Because it’s being able to count to ten before you respond when you’re angry.
If we have personality traits that we do not like or that cause problems, it is advisable to make an appointment with a psychologist, in addition, if you have any doubts after reading this article, it will be the psychologist who, given his personal characteristics, will be able to better explain how to change his personality.