Is It Possible to Transform Your Personality?

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a specialist in psychosocial rehabilitation, a psychology educator, and the author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Close

The wish to modify one's personality is quite common. Introverted individuals often yearn to be more sociable and expressive, while those with quick tempers might hope to maintain composure during stressful moments.

Is it truly feasible to alter your personality, or are our fundamental personality patterns set in stone for life? While self-help resources frequently promote methods to adjust habits and behaviors, many still believe that core personality traits are resistant to change.

Sigmund Freud, the Austrian psychoanalyst, proposed that personality largely forms by the age of 5. Even today, many psychologists assert that personality remains relatively stable throughout adulthood.

But what if you aim to change your personality? Can dedicated effort and the right techniques lead to genuine transformation, or are we bound by traits that limit our potential?

How Personality Influences Our Everyday Life

Factors Influencing Personality

To determine if personality can be changed, it's essential to understand what shapes it. The classic nature versus nurture debate is central here. Is personality determined by genetics (nature) or by our upbringing, experiences, and environment (nurture)?

Previously, theorists often sided with one over the other, but modern consensus leans towards a blend of both genetics and environment shaping personality.

Moreover, the dynamic interaction between genes and surroundings influences how personality traits manifest. For instance, someone genetically inclined to be calm and friendly might become more irritable in a high-pressure workplace.

Psychologist Carol Dweck shares a story of identical twins separated at birth who, despite different environments, exhibited remarkable similarities in hobbies, spouse names, and personality traits, underscoring genetic influence.

Such findings highlight the strong role genetics play, yet upbringing and culture also interact with our genetic makeup to form our unique personalities.

Are Personality Traits Inherited or Environmentally Shaped?

Discover Your Key Traits with Our Free Test

Take our quick and free personality assessment to identify your dominant traits and understand how they affect your behavior.

This test has been reviewed by Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS

The "Intermediate" Aspects of Personality

Experts like psychologist Carol Dweck argue that the true potential for personality change lies in modifying the underlying behaviors, habits, and beliefs beneath broad traits such as introversion or agreeableness.

While broad traits tend to stay stable, these "in-between" qualities are more malleable and crucial in shaping who we are.

Examples of these modifiable "in-between" qualities include:

• Beliefs and belief systems: Altering foundational beliefs can influence how personality traits are expressed.
• Goals and coping mechanisms: For example, a Type A personality can adopt new stress management techniques to become more relaxed.

Beliefs and Self-Perceptions

Changing beliefs may be challenging but offers a powerful starting point. Our beliefs affect how we view ourselves, interact with others, face challenges, and build relationships.

Transforming core beliefs can significantly impact behaviors and aspects of personality.

"People's beliefs encompass their mental models of themselves, relationships, and the world. These develop from infancy and are fundamental to personality," Dweck explained in 2008.

For example, if you believe intelligence is fixed, you may avoid challenges. Conversely, seeing intelligence as changeable encourages growth and learning.

Research shows people can shift their beliefs toward a growth mindset, enhancing motivation and achievement.

In one study, students who learned that the brain forms new connections with learning had higher grades and enjoyed school more.

Dweck's research also reveals that praising children's effort fosters a growth mindset, while praising innate intelligence encourages a fixed mindset.

Children praised for effort tend to persist through difficulties and embrace learning opportunities.

Strategies to Transform Your Personality

At various stages, you might wish to adjust parts of your personality, setting goals to become kinder, more patient, or more outgoing.

Experts agree that altering broad personality traits is tough, but certain aspects beneath these traits can be changed.

Changing from an introvert to an extrovert may be challenging, but there are actionable steps to foster meaningful personality growth.

Develop New Habits

Research shows positive traits like kindness stem from habitual behaviors. Since habits can be learned, adopting new routines over time can reshape personality.

While forming new habits demands patience and effort, consistent practice makes them second nature.

Reevaluate Your Self-Beliefs

Believing in your ability to change is crucial. If you see your introversion as unchangeable, you won't attempt to be more social. But embracing change increases motivation to grow.

Emphasize Effort Over Talent

Dweck's studies highlight that praising effort rather than innate ability fosters a growth mindset, making change more attainable.

Replacing thoughts like "I'm so smart" with "I worked hard" encourages perseverance and learning.

Act 'As If'

Positive psychologist Christopher Peterson recognized his introversion could hinder his academic career, so he consciously acted extroverted in professional settings.

Over time, these behaviors became natural, enabling him to flexibly adapt his personality as needed.

Final Thoughts from Verywell

While changing some broad personality traits may be difficult or impossible, research supports that altering underlying beliefs, habits, and coping strategies can lead to meaningful personality transformation, improving how you think, feel, and behave daily.

Read more:

• Psychology
• Theories
• Personality Psychology

9 Sources Verywell Mind relies on reputable, peer-reviewed studies to ensure accurate, trustworthy content. Learn about our editorial standards and fact-checking process.

1. Frank G. Freud’s concept of the superego: review and assessment. Psychoanal Psychol. 1999;16(3):448–463. doi:10.1037/0736-9735.16.3.448

2. Mõttus R, Johnson W, Deary IJ. Personality traits in old age: Measurement and rank-order stability and some mean-level change. Psychol Aging. 2012;27(1):243–249. doi:10.1037/a0023690

3. Johnson W, Turkheimer E, Gottesman II, Bouchard TJ Jr. Beyond heritability: Twin studies in behavioral research. Curr Dir Psychol Sci. 2010;18(4):217–220. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8721.2009.01639.x

4. Dweck CS. Can personality be changed? The role of beliefs in personality and change. Curr Dir Psychol Sci. 2008;17(6):391-394. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8721.2008.00612.x

5. Carver CS, Connor-Smith J. Personality and coping. Annu Rev Psychol. 2010;61:679–704. doi:10.1146/annurev.psych.093008.100352

6. Doménech-Betoret F, Abellán-Roselló L, Gómez-Artiga A. Self-efficacy, satisfaction, and academic achievement: The mediator role of students’ expectancy-value beliefs. Front Psychol. 2017;8:1193. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01193

7. Mueller CM, Dweck CS. Praise for intelligence can undermine children’s motivation and performance. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1998;75(1):33–52. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.75.1.33

8. Wood W. Habit in personality and social psychology. Pers Soc Psychol Rev. 2017;21(4):389–403. doi:10.1177/1088868317720362

9. Psychology Today. Second nature.

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd
Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Helpful Report an Error Other Submit

Explore useful articles in Theories of Psychology as of 25-03-2023. The article titled " Is It Possible to Transform Your Personality? " offers in-depth analysis and practical advice in the Theories of Psychology field. Each article is carefully crafted by experts to provide maximum value to readers.

The " Is It Possible to Transform Your Personality? " article expands your knowledge in Theories of Psychology, keeps you informed about the latest developments, and helps you make well-informed decisions. Each article is based on unique content, ensuring originality and quality.