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Experimenting with personality change
A journalist explored whether emerging research on personality adjustment could help her modify traits like neuroticism and introversion within six weeks.
Understanding personality traits
The Big Five model-openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism-serves as the leading framework in psychology. Each trait encompasses specific behaviors: neuroticism includes anxiety and emotional instability, while extraversion covers sociability and assertiveness.
Psychologists once believed personality solidified by adulthood. However, Brent Roberts, a psychology professor at the University of Illinois, notes that decades of research now show traits evolve through life experiences and biological maturation. Mirjam Stieger, a researcher at Lucerne University, adds that these shifts often reflect growing responsibilities.
Can personality be intentionally changed?
Recent studies suggest targeted interventions can accelerate natural personality shifts. A 2019 study led by Nathan Hudson at Southern Methodist University found participants could alter traits like extraversion and neuroticism through weekly challenges over 15 weeks. A 2021 smartphone-based study by Stieger reported similar results, with changes persisting three months later.
The journalist's approach
The author, who scored high in neuroticism and openness but low in agreeableness, focused on reducing neuroticism, increasing extraversion, and boosting agreeableness. She adapted exercises from research, such as:
- Neuroticism: Daily meditation, gratitude journaling, and countering negative thoughts.
- Extraversion: Attending social events, initiating conversations, and sharing personal updates with friends.
- Agreeableness: Performing small acts of kindness and reframing irritations as external factors.
Some tasks felt uncomfortable, like striking up conversations with strangers or resisting perfectionist urges. Yet, she found socializing became easier with practice, and meditation helped quiet her anxious thoughts.
Results and reflections
After six weeks, retaking the personality test showed notable shifts: extraversion rose from the 30th to the 50th percentile, agreeableness from the 50th to the 70th, and neuroticism dropped from the 85th to the 50th. Conscientiousness and openness remained stable.
Shannon Sauer-Zavala, a psychologist at the University of Kentucky, explains that neuroticism often involves avoiding emotions. Her research suggests targeting personality traits could efficiently address mental health conditions like anxiety.
"If we target neuroticism instead of specific disorders, it's more efficient," Sauer-Zavala says. "Results so far indicate this approach works."
The journalist acknowledged limitations: her motivation stemmed from the experiment, and her positive mood during retesting may have influenced results. Her partner, serving as a control, showed no changes.
Expert perspective
Roberts cautions that while research shows measurable shifts, the effects may seem modest to individuals. Most people remain largely the same, and sustained effort is required. The journalist's partner, for instance, expressed no desire to attempt similar changes despite her results.
Key takeaways
The experiment aligns with research suggesting personality is malleable through intentional actions. While not transformative, small but meaningful changes can improve well-being. For those willing to try, the process may offer a path to gradual self-improvement.
