Note: This is an op-ed written by a special guest, Ejike (Caleb) Umesi!
The exploration of personality traits is crucial for self-development. So, it’s anything but a surprise that so many assumptions and interest revolves around this subject.
One of these assumptions is the belief that personality traits are often set in stone and are impossible to change.
Is this really the case? Is this flawed thinking or is there some sort of middle ground? How does aging contribute to the change or lack of personality traits?
To get the answer to some or all of these questions, it’s important to revisit the concept of personality types. This will help shape our understanding of personality traits.
Understanding Personality Types
Personality type assessments have been around for a while. While it does have its criticisms, its use has proven to be resilient—with its reach being even more global and wide-spread.
Some of the most popular personality type indicators include the Myers-Briggs Indicator Test (MBTI), the Enneagram, and the Big Five Personality Test, also known as OCEAN.
These tests measure our preferences, motivations, and methods of communication with others among other things. Some of these assessments divide people into different personality types.
This method allows people to understand and categorize themselves into different entities. Some tests even overlap and the combination of both assessments might give you a better understanding of your inclinations.
While personality types have clearly led to growth and self-development, it has also led to various assumptions such as personality traits or types being set in stone.
The Dynamic Nature of Personality Traits
Personality traits make up the essence of a person. It helps you predict how a person will act and their limitations. A person’s actions are influenced by life experiences, social events, and even training. These are external factors that guarantee some kind of change or reinforcement.
When these changes occur, people are less likely to revert to their usual behavior unless the changes reverse themselves. Even if this happens, individuals could have formed habits that stay with them forever.
We are also heavily influenced by our childhood and shaped by the traumas we face. Concepts such as attachment styles and the Enneagram have based their entire assessments on childhood traumas. Their impact is huge. Both nature and nurture play a role in our development.
So, it’s evident that personality traits cannot be set in stone at birth, and even in childhood because of evolving external factors. Arguably, aging seems to have an even greater effect on our personalities.
Personality Changes Based on Age
As we age, we obtain more experience. Some of these might be really challenging, such as a breakup or the death of a loved one. The lessons we learn from these experiences are bound to change us in some way or form.
Research has shown that personality changes are bound to occur as we move from adolescence to adulthood. Another study showed that personality traits can change over time as a result of intrinsic biological maturation.
This simply means that the more we mature, there’s an internal push towards shifts in some personality traits. This makes sense as people often change and make better financial and personal decisions as they grow older.
While all this is true, it does not necessarily mean that our personality traits can undergo a complete 180 degree change. In other words, we still retain certain parts of our core personality, rather than becoming a different person altogether.
Research has shown that while there are changes to our personality over time, these changes are slight variations. In some cases, these changes are subjective.
It is quite clear then that personality traits do change with aging. Even in an elderly state, changes in personality might occur due to various factors such as changes in homes, disability, and illnesses.
Aging and Personality Types Assessments
Well if our personality changes throughout our lives, how does it relate to type assessments or indicators? Consider the use of the MBTI and the Enneagram.
While personality assessments might just indicate 4 letters, they rarely show how these letters relate to each other on a spectrum.
For example, a person might score as an ENTP, but “E” might be 51%, and “I” might be 49%.
This imaginary individual is just 1% more extraverted than introverted. Any minor shift in mood or perspective can easily shift them higher or lower on that spectrum.
The Enneagram also embraces the context of growth and stress. For example, Enneagram type 8s (The Challenger) look like Enneagram type 2s (The Giver) when in growth.
For instance, they embody the giving, community-oriented qualities of the Enneagram type 2, making them more generous.
When under stress, they can adopt certain traits of the Enneagram type 5 (The Investigator), making them appear more withdrawn and complacent to an onlooker.
So, understanding how personality type assessments actually support the change and fluidity of personality traits can make all the difference.
Gender Differences in Aging and Personality Traits
What about personality traits and differences between genders? A study found that women tend to score higher in Agreeableness (A) and Neuroticism (N) across all age groups. Agreeableness describes the extent to which people are empathetic and caring.
Neuroticism, in contrast, represents how easily prone to stress and fluctuations in mood someone is accustomed to.
This means that personality traits when it came to the Big Five Model were fairly the same as we age. These changes are based on evolutionary and biological bases. However, both genders had little difference in Conscientiousness (C).
The key point here is that they stay pretty much the same over the course of their lives. However, while this is true, I believe that personality traits among women and men might also be affected by their background, religion, and birthplace.
Migration can have a drastic impact on people’s personalities as they are exposed to a new way of life and critical thinking.
Adapting to Change and Recommendations for Growth
As your personality traits change, you might experience feelings of anxiety. For example, you might associate being introverted with being depressed. The general trend in personality shows that as people age, they become more introverted.
It’s important to understand that change is constant and we all evolve over time—whether in dramatic or inconspicuous ways.
Working out and focusing on self-development can be fantastic avenues to help alleviate stress and be in the moment; to ultimately grow and possess a healthier self-concept.
You might be thrilled with the changes you are experiencing. If this is the case, you can benefit by solidifying these new traits and making them habits that last for a lifetime.
All in all…personality and aging can be a fun facet of your life to investigate!
About the Author
Meet Ejike (Caleb) Umesi, the lawyer-turned-founder of Personality Hunt. When he’s not outsmarting opponents in court, you’ll find him strategizing on the chessboard or kicking back with a soccer match.
References
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Chapman BP, Duberstein PR, Sörensen S, Lyness JM. Gender Differences in Five Factor Model Personality Traits in an Elderly Cohort: Extension of Robust and Surprising Findings to an Older Generation. Pers Individ Dif. 2007 Oct;43(6):1594-1603. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2007.04.028. PMID: 18836509; PMCID: PMC2031866.
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