Can personality traits change?

Personality traits can change, though the extent and nature of that change are subjects of ongoing research. Here are some key insights from experts:

1. Hardwired Traits:

   • Gretchen Rubin believes that personality traits are largely inborn and typically stable throughout life. Traumatic events or significant life changes can alter personality traits, but for most people, traits remain consistent from childhood through adulthood 1.

2. Longitudinal Studies:

   • Angela Duckworth highlights that longitudinal studies show personality traits can shift more than previously thought. For example, conscientiousness tends to increase with age 2.

3. Meditation Effects:

   • Andrew Huberman mentions that long-term meditation can lead to changes in personality traits, such as increased openness and reduced neuroticism, by influencing brain activity and promoting traits associated with well-being 3.
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       Personality and Change

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       Personality Changes

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       Meditation and Growth Hormone

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       Psychedelic Therapy

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       5

       Personality and Physiology

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       Personality Change Insights

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4. Life Events and Therapy:

   • Roland Griffiths points out that psychedelic therapies have shown potential for altering personality traits, particularly increasing openness following mystical experiences. This suggests that significant psychological interventions can lead to lasting changes in core personality traits 4.

5. Environmental and Lifestyle Factors:

   • Christian Jarrett and Chris Williamson discuss how lifestyle choices and physiological states (like health and fitness) can impact personality. For example, poor health or lack of sleep can negatively affect traits like conscientiousness and neuroticism. Positive habits can reinforce beneficial traits and set one on a trajectory for continued self-improvement 5 6.

Overall, while personality traits have a strong genetic component and can be relatively stable, significant life events, therapeutic interventions, and lifestyle changes can induce substantial changes in one's personality over time.