3.1.“Personality” and “Personality Expression”

An important distinction has been made several times before in this essay between the usage of the concept of “personality” and of “personality expression”.This is based on the previously discussed observation that the same individual can behave differently under different circumstances.Such behavior expressions or patterns are mostly “typical” for that individual and, therefore, are considered to be part of that individual’s personality.The expressions of such a personality differ, however, with differences in the provoking circumstances.Each personality expression may feature a combination of several personality traits.

The variability of individual personality traits was indicated by the explanations of their correlation with neurophysiologic, biochemical, and psychological factors, as described above. 

The variability of the spectrum of personality expressions is a more complex issue.The specific behavior patterns of a given individual are mostly the same under the same circumstances.In other words, one can say that the personality of each individual is defined by a given repertoire of personality expressions that occur under certain circumstances.The usage of that repertoire, once it is established, remains more or less fixed over long periods of time – until traumatic or aging effects set in.This does not preclude that one of the expressions may be the dominant one or the most observed one.It is that dominant expression that is mostly used in describing the individual’s “personality”.

In reality, the content of this repertoire may change and the usage of the repertoire may not be fully predictable.Some people seek freedom from restraints to find new opportunities for the development of their personality in accordance with their goals, assuming that new experiences would bring new expressions of personality.A drifter may seek steady employment, a person living under restrained circumstances may seek adventure, a politician may seek a leadership role – all in the hope of bringing out the best in their personality. 

Changes in society at large or in the specific environment of an individual may suppress certain roles in the repertoire while bringing forth others.Totally new situations may give rise to new behaviors or personality roles.Equally important, habituation, learning, and one’s own thought can result in changes of the personality expressions under the same circumstances.

Peer groups, subgroups in society, nations, and cultures may show certain personality types.While there may be some genetic causes for this characterization, there may also be the development of habits in closed groups.Frequent visitors to another nation or emigrants may be found to adopt the characterization of such differentpersonality group.While group or national personality expressions may be enjoyed as cultural cohesion by some, they may also be seen as limiting the options in life for those who are caught up in a specific group.The absence of any cohesive group or national personality expressions may hinder the coordination of goals and actions in a larger group, nation, or international body.

Personality changes also occur over the course of an individual’s life with aging.The same individual may have been different as a toddler, as an adolescent, and as a mature being and will be different again in old age.The reasons are biological and environmental.The most noteworthy changes of personality usually take place during puberty, largely based on biochemical changes, then augmented by resulting subsequent psychological factors – sometimes resulting in good developments, sometimes in vicious circles leading to problems.More subtle changes take place in older age.In general – but not always – the changes that come with aging are continuous and follow a more or less predictable course.

There are many cases of drastic and permanent personality changes in traumatic or exalted situations, as described in the biographies of a number of famous people.

Some personality traits are relatively stable – e.g., intelligence and, to a lesser degree, emotional temperament.

While constancy of personality may be positively valued in general, adaptability to changing conditions or options in life may also be seen as a specific, and superior, human quality. 

Many observed personality changes are not true changes in personality but, rather, changes in the repertoire of possible expressions or in the prevalent expression.They may become permanent (or at least semi-permanent) personality changes as the circumstantially resulting personality traits have an effect over time on the neurophysiologic-structural or psychological-behavioral base of the individual’s personality.

The above indicates that the complex human “personality” is another example of the “combinatorial” principle of nature in building the complex phenomena of existence.This combinatorial principle can be found in the evolution of material structures from subatomic particles to the most complex biochemical compounds, in biological evolution as based on genetic structures, and in the combinatorial evolution of creative thought of the human mind (see the essay, “Brain, Mind: Mental Creativity” by H. Schwab). [1]

All of the above indicates how questionable it is to say “be yourself” or to go out “to find yourself”.One may turn out to be a product of the circumstances and experiences one is going through in the finding process.In other words, one should, instead, go out and seek the circumstances and experiences which are favorable to obtaining the personality one seeks to develop – and avoid the circumstances and experiences that detract from one’s goal.

3.3.Reasons for Change: 

The desire to arrive at changes in personality for oneself or for somebody else may be concentrated on only one or a few very specific personality traits.Typical examples of such personality traits to be acquired, strengthened, or reduced would be self-confidence, self-discipline, passivity, hypertension, choleric outbursts, financial restraint, orderliness, emotional coldness, and many more.

It is not uncommon for individuals to desire the change of their whole personality.This can be found in adolescence, when young people want to model themselves after a famous star or a specific role model.This can still be found in adult life, when people want to pursue the life of a venerated saint of their respective religion, whether Christian, Buddhist, or other.This can also be found in the professions, where the famous general, trial lawyer, or executive may be the role model for many others.

More common is the desire to change one’s personality in emulation of a combination of different role models, possibly the dominant hero in the profession and the more saintly one in family life.

The reasons for such desire for change are related to personal ideals for the conduct of life or the attainment of greater fame and fortune, respectively the avoidance of setbacks resulting from personality weaknesses.After all, most individuals, in reviewing the course of their lives, conclude that their respective personality is at the core of their problems or successes – but also a large measure of good or bad luck.

3.4.Problems with the Definition of Goals and Objectives for Personality Change: 

The desire to change only one or a few personality traits of an individual may occur early in life as, for example, on the side of parents who want to reduce the nuisance caused by specifically annoying traits of their offspring.However, they should consider that a specifically strong trait may be the base for differentiation and success in later life.Elimination or weakening of this trait in childhood may reduce specific opportunities later in life.Thus, personality modification may come at a cost.The same holds true later on in life when, for example, aggressiveness is desired in professional performance but stands in the way of harmonious personal relations and the fostering of self-confidence in others.

The career path in many organizations leads through sometimes contradictory selection steps, requiring qualifications for entry level individuals or advancement criteria for mid-level managers totally unrelated to the necessary qualifications as top managers and leaders.How can one prepare oneself or one’s offspring for that?

The desire to change one’s entire personality, modeled after somebody else, faces the problem that the resulting personality would no longer correspond to its neurophysiologic, biochemical, or psychological base.This would lead to severe suppression of some naturally founded personality traits and leave the expression of others unsupported.This would appear, for example, in the handling of the natural drives, the penchant for meditation versus action, or the need for social contact versus solitude.It would also appear in the expression of emotions in intensity or restraint.Further, there are capabilities that are not only learned, but which are also physiologically influenced, for example, intelligence, verbal skills, artistic talent, or dexterity.All these personality traits may either be asked for by the role model beyond the potential of the one who pursues personality emulation, or they may be present much stronger in that individual than in his or her role model.

Most teachers have come to similar conclusions – to temper, but not destroy, nuisance-causing personality traits.Most important to all of those teachers is the leading of given personality traits into constructive directions.Even in narrowly defined social settings or environments, as in religious groups or specific professions, a multitude of different pursuits is commonly offered to accommodate or benefit from personality differences.In religious groups, for example, room is made for introverted meditation or academic work on one side and outgoing missionary work, on the other.In business, dependable accountants are as much needed as creative product designers and good salesmen.The military needs strategists, tactical fighters, and logistic support personnel.Thus, specific gift development must be as much the goal of personality development as handicap mitigation. 

In this context, it is a modern preference to put special emphasis on the development of self-confidence.On the other hand, the fostering of ambitions reaching beyond capabilities leads to failure and personality damage.It takes humility, if not wisdom, to know and accept how far one should or could reach.On the other hand, goals can be set higher if pursued with dedication and perseverance.

One more word on goal-setting for personality development:Does one want to cultivate a general personality disposition as preferred by the society or culture the individual belongs to (the typical Puritan settler in early American times past, or the dependable Swiss citizen, or the American Indian warrior)?Does one want the personalities of all individuals to be the same?Does one want to have totally balanced individuals?Does one prefer a set of individuals with specifically different, complementing, and strongly developed personality traits?Any parent and teacher will try to develop specific capabilities, but maintain a total balance within the given personality of each individual that is in keeping with the culture we live in.

What remains is the striving of every sincere individual for personal improvement, not to mention what one wants to see in improvements in others.What also remains in practical terms is the fact that parents and teachers want to prepare the children for success in their expected course of life – working-class children in the trades, middle-class children in college and the professions.The exceptional children – in both the positive and the negative sense – are prepared for individually suitable careers, possibly in a disciplined environment as the military.Beyond that, idealism strives for the preparation of a mentally elevated fulfillment of life and for life as a good citizen – not seeing this as excess baggage, but as the most important goals for those who have the strength for it.

3.5.Methods for change or retention of stability of personality

An analysis of the factors that produce “personality” was presented in the preceding chapters of this essay.This analysis is the foundation for the methods that can be used to accomplish variability or stability of personality traits or personality expressions.Following is a short list of some aspects of personality change or retention: 

-Neurophysiologic methods of change

-Biochemical methods of change

-Psychological methods of change – teaching, example, role models, peer groups, new experiences, new own thought

-Gradual changes, gradual environmental impact, social impact, aging

-Sudden permanent changes

-Habits and ruts

-Circumstantial variability

-Retention of stability of personality

-Own thought

Neurophysiologic methods of change:At this time, only three methods for neurophysiologic change of personality exist: neurosurgery, radiation, and stem cell treatment – if one does not also include the secondary neurophysiologic changes resulting from biochemical or psychological influences.All of the three primarily neurophysiologic changes are seen as the least desirable options and to be used only in case of medical emergencies as in severe forms of epilepsy, tumors, damage from accidents, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease, and the like.

While neurosurgery and radiation may possibly be necessary for survival and remaining fullness of life, these intrusive impacts on the brain, unfortunately, may have negative consequences for personality – at least dampening ones, sometimes disruptive ones. [2] These effects are largely permanent.But not all neurophysiologic methods must be destructive.Constructive neurophysiologic change through stem cell implantation is already considered for the treatment of certain diseases.Can neurophysiologic engineering be expected in the future?For example, could a stronger connection from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland increase adrenaline production when needed?Could a stronger connection to the frontal portion of the brain change the emotional response of an individual?Must attention deficit disorder or obsession be seen only in biochemical terms?

Biochemical or psychological influences on the brain can permanently or temporarily change the neural or synaptic connectivity within the brain and, thereby, result in neurophysiologic changes, possibly permanent ones.These secondary changes will be discussed in connection with their primary causes.

Biochemical methods of change:The biochemical influences on personality cover a wider spectrum, from the mild and sometime desirable effects of stimulants (coffee, tea) and common sedatives (aspirin, valium) to the more devastating influences of some narcotics.In this sense, biochemical methods can have positive as well as negative influences on personality.These influences are largely temporary, except when they lead to a degeneration of the brain – as from excessive use of addictive drugs.

For many pathological phenomena of the mind and personality, the biochemical substances offer the only known relief or cure – because it is often their biochemical abnormality in the brain that causes those phenomena in the first place.Therefore, in those cases, biochemical treatment should precede supporting psychotherapy – for example, in case of depressions.It should be noted that possibly no case of severe depression was ever healed through psychotherapy alone.Biochemical assistance usually is the first course of action needed before supporting psychotherapy can join in to break old habits of behavior, of selective observation and thought, and to introduce new ones.

So far, biochemical substances can hardly ever be applied to narrowly defined areas of the brain only.When they are washed into the brain by the bloodstream, they have effects on other than the targeted parts of the brain as well.

Too many biochemical disturbances of the brain are still not sufficiently understood for effective intervention.Yet, in too many cases, the biochemical approach, at least in support of the psychological approach, is unavoidable.

For a normal life, the supporting role of biochemistry for well-being of personality should be utilized, as through proper diet – including vitamins – and through exercising – to stimulate normal functioning of the endocrine system of the body.

Psychological methods of change:While teaching can quickly (and, often, easily) accomplish the acquisition of factual knowledge and skills, the way to personality change by way of verbal teaching or preaching is difficult and slow, sometimes counterproductive.

The rare exception is the communication of a solution to an existing problem or of an answer when such assistance is asked for – when a question already exists and the answer is sincerely searched for.The resulting “aha”-effect on the side of the information-accepting individual can be the same as a sudden experience (see below), and can possibly bring about an instant change in thought (e.g., a new direction), emotions (calming), and behavior (revitalizing) – consequently can bring a change in personality or personality expression. 

A “good” teacher, who has the admiration of the students, accomplishes more than an uninspiring teacher.The transfer of personality traits is mostly done – or, possibly, only done – through a form of subconscious or intuitive learning by setting or presenting of examples from the side of the teacher and by acceptance of role models from the side of the student.

There can be peer group or group affiliation effects, as the pursuit of ideals of monastic life for monks or of disciplined, heroic life for the military.This may be one of the reasons for encouraging congregational coherence for believers.This effect is especially important during adolescence when the specific peer group affiliation may have a formative effect on personality and, therefore, should be carefully selected.The group effect is still important in adult life in helping to maintain or in forming personality, in a positive or negative way.

New experiences in life, when they have special significance to the concerned individual, can have an impact on personality, for example, through an increase or decrease of self-confidence or through the formation of a preference or aversion for a certain behavior.This is accomplished in the brain through the memory of valuation of a perception by means of the amygdala, a special pair of nuclei in the brain.Any future development along the line of the prior experience will be associated with the value of the memorized experience.

A reversal can be accomplished.It takes many additional experiences of the same kind with opposite value to change that memorized polarity.For example, a person who has done some physical or emotional harm will be negatively valued (even within some families and in marriages that are falling apart).The aversion can be reversed if that person will do positively valued actions consistently over some time.

The above indicates the importance of strong experiences resulting in a positively guiding value for juveniles – and for everybody else in the course of life – not only to maintain a proper degree of self-confidence, but also inquisitiveness, social skills, and more.

Another important point is the formation of a focus in thought.As shown in another essay [3], a mental focus leads to a brain process resulting in selective observation of the environment in response to the established focus.The role of the father or of an outstanding teacher can lead a youngster to focus on a certain career.A spiritual or ideological focus can lead to a selective approach to life.Such focus-forming experiences are, hopefully, of the positive kind.It is true, however, that negative experiences can have equally strong, negative influences on behavior – in mild cases, the pursuit of stupid fads, in extreme cases leading to copy-cat criminality. 

In the above-mentioned essay, it is demonstrated how own thought, the processing of mental visualizations, corresponds to being in a virtual reality.Consequently, own thought can lead to experiences in thought with formative consequences, as discussed before. 

Gradual changes:The gradual changes of personality due to gradual environmental changes or aging are the most common ones.As a young person grows into adult life, as marriages mature, as careers progress, as personal well-being grows or diminishes, changes in personality do necessarily and commonly occur, whether for biochemical or psychological reasons.

The troublemakers and warriors in all societies are mostly young men between 15 and 30 years of age.The most unselfish, warmhearted, and joyful idealists (and sometimes the troublemakers, too) are usually the young women.

But the young activist, troublemakers, or lovely idealists often become more balanced citizens, sometimes to the better, sometimes with the loss of their attractive values.

Further changes in personality obviously occur with the onset of older age due to physical problems, hormonal changes, and changes in the circumstances of their lives.

There is a “grinding effect” resulting from the pursuit of a specific occupation, whether as a salesman, an executive, a researcher, or a priest.

Sudden permanent changes:Sudden, strong events were observed to have brought permanent changes of personality.They may have occurred through accidents, through changes in the course of life, or through attempts by educators to bring desired changes of behavior of their pupils.Examples are events of war or violence, the moving to a new environment, punishments, or an unforeseen success or promotion.

The resulting negative changes of personality, if any occurred at all, may have resulted from permanent damage to the biochemical structure of the individual, more likely through strong valuation (by means of the amygdala) or formation of strong focus with subsequent selectivity of observation and thought.As mentioned before, some of these effects can be undone over longer periods of time.

It is known that some of those strong events had unforeseen consequences.Consequently, one is tempted to avoid the risk of strong effects, even positive ones.

Habits and ruts:As the environment in a person’s life stabilizes, habits develop and personality expressions in thought and behavior begin to run along more or less worn ruts.The essay, “Mental Creativity” shows how habits necessarily influence thought sequences – and, consequently, behavior.

Such stabilization of personality expression may or may not be desirable.In many cases, the breaking of the habit, the avoidance of running along worn ruts, may be more desirable [4].The mental crises of adolescents, the famous midlife crisis, and the crises at the end of careers are indications for problems arising from ruts in personality expression.Sometimes, new hobbies or charitable activities can alleviate this possibility.

Circumstantial variability:As was shown in prior chapters, the fastest, the most profound, and sometimes the easiest way for change of personality expression is accomplished by the onset of specific circumstances or situations.A phlegmatic person can become active, a hyper-active person can become calm, a brutal person can become friendly, a friendly person can become irate.

Consequently, one can attempt to bring about or to maintain those circumstances that lead to a specifically desirable personality expression within the repertoire available to an individual.One should note that the repertoire or personality expressions may be a wide one for each individual, but the intensity of each specific expression and how readily each one is available may be typical and hardly changeable for each individual.

It is the art of great teachers – or excellent parents – to motivate or challenge their students – or children – to see them develop and exert themselves as best they can – through setting of specific circumstantial situations – or through perceptions in the students’ or children’s mind.

In another example, if one wants a newly beginning relationship in a personal, social, or business context to be on a level of mutual trust, one has to approach this relationship on that level and ascertain that it stays there for an initial period of time.Inversely, a relationship begun on the level of trickery or mutual mistrust will hardly be movable again to the desired level of integrity and trust, as specifically experienced in many failed marriages, business contacts, or political situations.Appendix A to this essay discusses a specific aspect of this predicament in married life. 

In any event, one has to be ready to consistently project first from one’s own side the personality expression that one then hopes to receive from the other side.

Not enough guidance is available to the average parent, teacher, spouse, business man, or politician regarding what circumstantial situation can lead to what personality expression.In general, there is a better chance of getting from the relation what one wants if one is ready to invest just that into the relation.

Behavioral scientists and psychologists should pay more attention to the availability of a multiplicity of personality expressions for each individual.Also, however, the average person involved in the problems of daily life should be aware of this option to improve difficult situations – to judge others less harshly – to give them a chance to project a different personality expression that they may also possess – and to do more on their own side to change the other individual. [5]

Retention of stability of personality:Often it is not change, but the retention of positive personality traits in an adverse world, that is of greatest concern to parents, teachers, religious preachers, and oneself.

As is evident from the prior discussion, the safest method is the maintaining of a favorable circumstantial situation – good friends and a good marriage – or the maintaining of a suitable environment in the form of the right peer group, work team, or congregation.This is the reason why successful religious denominations put so much emphasis on active congregational life or on keeping their adherents sheltered from the outside world, as by means of isolated settlements, communes, or monasteries.Political parties do that by plastering their adherents with a stream of propaganda that provides the “right” interpretation for every event in the world.

A course that one can pursue oneself is the selection of favorable leisure-time activities, literature, or entertainment inputs – conversely, avoiding corrupting ones, as too easily offered by the media and entertainment industry.

Own Thought:The importance of one’s own thought in retaining or changing personality or personality expression has already been mentioned.As indicated, own thought – the sequence of one’s own thought visualizations – lets one experience a virtual world, thereby complementing the experiences one receives from the real world. [6] The same consequences of personality change or retention can result from own thought as from psychological influences in the real world.

Consequently, one must attempt – within the limits of the phenomenon of “free will” – to arrive at objectives for character formation or expression and to pursue the various approaches discussed above.

In summary:

Under normal circumstances one can say that the neurophysiologic aspects of personality are the most stable ones, changing at best very slowly with age – unless pathological situations or accidents occur.The biochemical aspects of personality can be equally stable or variable, but can also be influenced by lifestyle, biochemical intake, or pathological situations.The psychological aspects of personality are the ones that are most subject to continuous external influences or manipulation.Consequently, they provide the most and fastest changes, but of least stability. 

The attempt to change personality – one’s own, one’s companion’s in life, one’s children’s, one’s associates’ – too often suffers from one of the following shortcomings:

*Inadequate care in goal definition – by not considering all the consequences of the attempted change – which ones may be good for some situations, but unfavorable in some other regard.

*Inadequate knowledge of personality factors, their interrelation, and their availability for change – whether through life style, diet, experience, habit, environmental conditions, biochemistry, learning, or personal reasoning.

*Inadequate choice of method, usually taking the course predicated by one’s own position (paternalistic talk) and personality (inadequate empathy) or proposed by the first medical or psychotherapeutic specialist one talks to.Many individuals resort to listening or reading inspirational material, many parents resort to discipline, many spouses to nagging, many associates to psychological training, and all doctors to the specialized knowledge they are trained in or are comfortable with, for whatever reason, professional, personal, or financial.

The effectiveness of any attempt of personality change depends upon the concerned individual’s own motivation for such change – whether it is the case of self improvement, a pedagogical exercise, an inter-human problem, a pathological predicament, or a criminal situation.

The best methods for personality change are setting an example, accepting a role model, seeking favorable experiences and environments, or, most importantly, setting of favorable circumstantial situations for proper personality expression.

If one does not have the resources – the time, emotional reserves, external resources – to accomplish the necessary personality change of an adversary in an unpleasant situation, a practical consequence may have to be to walk away and keep one’s distance from an unproductive situation – actually admitting a personal failure.