Personality Development - Article Example

Our personalities are subject to changes and transformations over time. Psychologists believe that personalities are essential daily tools of transformation if channeled into the most rightful way. However, some psychologist believes that personality transformation is impossible. Psychologists have attempted to disapprove of the analogy that personality cannot be transformed. Positive psychologists have conducted research to determine the personality transformation process by closely observing human traits such as integrity, loyalty, vitality, and talents. This is against the makeover personality impossibility as described by negative psychologists. This paper explains the variations in personalities and characters among different groups of persons. The psychologists’ findings have established that most of these personalities are habitual and environmentally influenced. Professor Peterson of the University of Michigan says "The evidence is good that most of these things can be changed" (Kathleen, 2008). Just like our physical body makeups that are hard to change, so are our personal traits. But with determination and commitment, we stand a chance of achieving this goal. Psychologists believe that it is possible to transform our personalities and traits. Similarly, it is discovered that behavior is what determines our personalities and character traits.
According to Peterson, personal reactions and interpretation of the environment have the potential of transforming our behavior, feeling, and experiences. New behavior and characters come with new experiences, thus creating feedback loops that are critical in reinforcing transition and transformation. Notably, the process of personality transformation is influenced by the environment and conditional surroundings that may contribute to the development and growth of personality and character. Although some psychologists argue that personality or character is in-born, this research finding contradicts this position by asserting that these traits and personalities are transformable and may be influenced by the environmental conditions of the occupant. Although some personalities and qualities can easily be developed, others require more amenable environments in order to cultivate and develop mastery skills and technical knowledge (Kathleen, 2008). For instance courage, joy, optimism, and passion are some of the most sought-after personal traits that required different interpersonal skills and techniques in order to develop to a higher level.
Optimism is one of the most admirable personalities worth developing or growing. Just as did Fajgenbaum during the period of his mother’s illness, that latter transformed the lives of thousands of students, who happen to be victims of the same, so should the rest of the community be in order to make the community a step further. Psychologists have revealed that optimists are more likely to suffer less and also recover very quickly than pessimists. The research further identifies that optimists often have long and healthy lives with stable marriages because their company is sprinkled with joy and fun. Psychologists on their side believe that optimists can be developed through constant practice. The fundamental way of strengthening one’s level of optimism lies in the true understanding of nature and not in positive thoughts. Therefore through practice and determination, are the sole ways of increasing our level of optimism. The same sentiments are backed by professor Segerstrom when he said “I think an optimistic outlook can be cultivated, but it's even better to cultivate optimistic behavior—engagement and persistence toward one's goals" (Kathleen, 2008). According to professor Segerstrom, the only way of overcoming skeptical pessimism is by training yourself on how to pay close attention to positive fortunes and accepting reality as it appears. The first step in developing optimism is by avoiding the dark memories of the day and paying close attention to positive and strengthening values only. This creates a more hopeful mindset in an individual that further helps in building enthusiasms that protects a person from negatives and other forms of setbacks
These personalities are not governed but are accorded the needed freedom so as to help in building our interpersonal skills and techniques. Every step or course of action we make had its opportunity costs, therefore comes at a price of the forgone alternatives. This implies that we must be ready to take a step of boldness and courage if we are sure of succeeding. Our degree of success is highly influenced by the step of courage we take. Read More