Chapter 8: Personality, Agency, and EfficacyPart III: Motivational Psychology
  • Personality Change

    • Personality Change

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    EducationBehaviorPersonality ChangeTherapyPersonality
    Personality Change is the process of altering one's thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. This article goes over the different therapies for personality change, different causes of personality change, as well as how it can connect with the classroom.

    Things to Consider: 

    The question this topic poses is what personality change is and how much personality can change. 

    1. The nature vs. nurture debate: Some argue that personality is largely determined by genetics and biology, while others believe that it is primarily shaped by environmental factors such as life experiences and socialization.
    2. The malleability of personality: Some argue that personality is relatively stable and difficult to change, while others believe that it is highly malleable and can be changed through therapy and other interventions.
    3. The effectiveness of therapy: Some argue that therapy is effective in bringing about personality change, while others argue that it is not effective or that the changes brought about by therapy are not long-lasting.
    4. The use of psychoanalytic therapy: Some argue that psychoanalytic therapies are valuable in the treatment of personality disorders, while others argue that they are not supported by scientific evidence and do not produce lasting changes.
    5. The use of medication: Some argue that medication can be effective in treating personality disorders, while others argue that it should only be used as a last resort and that therapy should be the primary treatment approach.
    6. The role of self-help techniques: There are some controversies about the effectiveness of self-help techniques, some argue that they can help bring about personality change, while others argue that they are not supported by scientific evidence and can be harmful.


    Major Concept Summary: Personality Change

    ED 304: Ed Psych and Human Development

    Author: Rebecca Marshall and Morgan Dixon

    Verified by: Rebekah Black 2/4/23, Glenn Bowler 2/4/23, Walter Cole 2/4/23, Emily Walton 2/7/23,

    Disclosure: Chat GPT3 and Consensus. app was used in the creation of this resource. 

    Summary

    Personality change refers to the process of altering one's thoughts, behaviors, and emotions to better adapt to their environment or achieve specific goals. Personality change can occur as a result of various factors, including life experiences, therapy, and brain injuries. According to a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, individuals can experience significant changes in personality traits, such as increased agreeableness and conscientiousness, as a result of therapy or life experiences. Additionally, brain injuries or illnesses can also lead to changes in personality. For example, a traumatic brain injury can result in changes in impulsivity and aggression. In psychology, there are several theories and approaches to understanding and facilitating personality change.

    One of the biggest and most well-known cases of personality change through a traumatic brain injury is Phineas Gage. In 1848, Gage had a tamping rod blown through his head, going up underneath his cheekbone and through the top of his skull. He survived this incident, but where he once was stoic and rational, he became impulsive and easy to anger. This incident became a very well-known case study as many scientists came to study him to figure out why Phineas Gage's personality changed so drastically.

    Phineas Gage
    Phineas Gage

    Vocabulary: 

    Here are some key vocabulary words or concepts on the subject of personality change:

    1. Personality: A set of characteristics and patterns of behavior, thought, and emotion that make a person unique.
    2. Trait: A relatively stable characteristic of a person that influences their behavior, thought, and emotion
    3. Factor analysis: A statistical method used to identify the underlying structure of a set of variables.
    4. Behavioral change: A change in the way a person behaves, as a result of therapy or life experiences.
    5. Cognitive change: A change in the way a person thinks as a result of therapy or life experiences.
    6. Emotional change: A change in a person's emotional patterns as a result of therapy or life experiences.
    7. Therapy: A form of treatment that aims to change personality patterns through the use of various techniques, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, schema therapy, psychoanalysis, and mindfulness-based therapy.
    8. Self-awareness: The ability to understand and reflect on one’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
    9. Self-regulation: The ability to control one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in response to different situations.
    10. Resilience: The ability to cope with stress and adversity in a healthy way, which can lead to improved mental health and academic success.
    11. Life experiences: The events, situations, and circumstances that happen to a person throughout their lifetime, can have a significant impact on personality change.
    12. Genetics: The study of how traits are passed down from one generation to the next. It is a key factor that can lead to changes in personality.

    Personality Therapies

    Often in therapy, there are multiple different types of therapies being applied at once, rather than only one type of therapy at a time. One of the most well-known theories of personality change is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) This approach focuses on identifying and changing negative thoughts and behaviors that are causing distress. Research has shown that CBT can lead to changes in personality traits such as increased emotional stability and decreased neuroticism. 

    Schema therapy on the other hand is effective in changing personality patterns that have been present since childhood. By learning to challenge and replace these patterns of thinking, individuals can develop more positive attitudes and behaviors, leading to changes in their personality. 

    Humanistic therapy is another approach to personality change. This type of therapy emphasizes the importance of self-actualization and personal growth. By helping individuals to identify and understand their unique strengths and weaknesses, humanistic therapy aims to promote self-acceptance and self-improvement.

    A fourth approach is psychoanalytic therapy, which focuses on understanding unconscious motives, conflicts, and defense mechanisms that drive an individual’s behavior. By bringing these unconscious factors to consciousness, individuals can change their personalities. This therapy is closely aligned with Sigmund Freud's studies and his work.

    More Than Therapy 

    In addition to these therapeutic approaches, personality change can also be influenced by life experiences. For example, experiencing a traumatic event or overcoming a major challenge can lead to changes in one's personality. Lastly, personality change can also be influenced by biological and genetic factors. Research has shown that certain neurotransmitters and hormones can affect personality traits and that genetic variations can influence how personality develops over time. Understanding these underlying biological mechanisms can help researchers and practitioners better understand and facilitate personality change.

    It is important to note that personality change can be a gradual process and may not occur overnight. Additionally, not all individuals may be open to or benefit from therapy or other interventions aimed at personality change. It is important to consult with a mental health professional to determine the best course of action for an individual seeking to make changes to their personality.

    Common Misunderstandings:


     1. That personality change is easy and can be achieved quickly: Personality change is a complex process that can take time, effort, and dedication to achieve. It may require multiple forms of interventions and will not happen overnight. 
    2. That therapy is the only way to change personality: While therapy can be an effective way to bring about personality change, there are other ways to work on personality change such as journaling, self-reflection, and lifestyle changes. 
    3. That personality is fixed and cannot change, but research has shown that personality can change throughout a person's life. It is important to note that personality change is a complex process that can be different for each person and may require multiple forms of interventions. It's not a one-size-fits-all solution and professional guidance can help understand the best approach for an individual's specific needs. 

    There are limits to personality change. Older people have less brain plasticity than children and young adults. This means that it is more difficult to change the brain and build new connections the older you get compared to younger people. By the time people reach adulthood, their personality traits typically stabilize and are more difficult to change. People who want to experience personality change also need to have quite a bit of motivation to achieve the change they want. People with personality disorders also find it challenging to change their personality. 

    Current Events in Education 

    One of the largest news stories that has affected personality change would be the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has had a significant impact on people’s mental health and well-being, leading to changes in personality traits such as increased anxiety and depression. Research has shown that rates of anxiety and depression among U.S. adults grew about 4 times in just one year from 2019 to April 2021. This increased anxiety and depression has changed much of the US population and the way that they view things. This affects the classroom because these are the children that are coming into schools and their learning. To keep the classroom up to date, learning to accommodate for higher anxiety and depression can improve the student's learning, and will give them the best education that this education system can.

    Key thinkers 

    Aaron T. Beck
    Beck is an American psychiatrist and psychotherapist who is widely considered to be the father of cognitive therapy. He developed a therapeutic approach that emphasizes the role of cognitive processes in the development and maintenance of psychological disorders and personality change. Beck's cognitive therapy focuses on identifying and modifying negative thought patterns and beliefs that contribute to emotional distress and maladaptive behavior. He has also developed the Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory, which are widely used self-report measures of depression and anxiety respectively. Beck's work has had a significant impact on the field of personality change, and his cognitive therapy approach has been widely adopted and adapted for use in treating a variety of psychological disorders, including anxiety, depression, and personality disorders. 

    Connection to education:

    Personality change can be applied to the classroom in several ways, depending on the specific goals and needs of the students and teachers. Here are a few examples:
    1. Enhancing social skills: Teachers can use social skills training to help students develop the ability to interact effectively with their peers, which can lead to improved relationships and a more positive classroom environment. 
    2. Promoting emotional regulation: Teachers can use mindfulness-based interventions to help students learn to manage their emotions in a healthy way, which can lead to improved attention and focus in the classroom. 
    3. Improving behavior: Teachers can use cognitive-behavioral therapy to help students change negative thought patterns and behaviors that may be impacting their ability to succeed in the classroom. 
    4. Developing resilience: Teachers can use SEL (Social Emotional Learning) to help students develop the ability to cope with stress and adversity, which can lead to improved mental health and academic success. 
    5. Encouraging self-awareness: Teachers can use assessments and interventions to help students develop a better understanding of themselves and their personality traits, which can lead to greater self-awareness and self-regulation. 

    Test questions:

    1. Which of the following is a key factor that can lead to changes in personality?

    1. Genetics 
    2. life experiences
    3. therapy
    4. all of the above 

    2. Traumatic brain injuries can lead to changes in which of the following personality traits? Select all that apply.


    1. Agreeableness
    2. impulsivity
    3. aggression
    4. emotional stability 

    3. Changing personality patterns that have been present since childhood. 


    1. Schema
    2. cognitive-behavioral therapy
    3. psychoanalysis
    4. humanistic therapy

    4. What are the key aspects of personality? Select all that apply 


    1. traits
    2. behaviors
    3. thoughts
    4. emotions 

    Media:

    David Kelley: How to build your creative confidence | TED Talk

    Nathan Hudson: You Can Change Your Personality | TED Talk


    Resources to learn more:

    Personality traits, cognitive states, and mortality in older adulthood. (apa.org)

    Personality Development Across Adolescence and Young Adulthood: The Role of Life Transitions and Self-Concept Clarity (sagepub.com)

    Detecting idiographic personality change: Discovery Service for BYU - Idaho (ebscohost.com)

    This content is provided to you freely by BYU-I Books.

    Access it online or download it at https://books.byui.edu/development_motivati/bXFfMrWA.