5. Conclusions

Individual “personality” appearsas such a solidly anchored aspect of individual destiny that many consider itfutile to attempt any change. On theother hand, every parent and teacher ardently pursues personality change (inthe form of “character” building) in their children or pupils, hoping therebyto improve the odds for their lives.

This essay has analyzed themeaning of the concept of “personality”, discussed the factors that defineindividual personality, the problems encountered in goal-setting forpersonality development, the possibilities or limitations for change orretention of personality traits, and the methods by which such change orretention could be accomplished – with special emphasis on the multiplicity ofpossible personality expressions by the same individual under different circumstances.

Personality description – and,more so, personality valuation – is influenced by the culture and perspectiveof the observer. The very large numberand variety of personality traits lets every personality description remain anapproximation. Any valuation reflectssubjective preferences.

While certain personality traitsare dominant for specific individuals, other traits may become activated underthe influence of circumstances in an occurring situation.  Therefore, one can talk about a multiplicityor repertoire of personality expressions that can be projected by eachindividual.

The main factors that constitutepersonality and all its traits or expressions are found in the neurophysiologicstructures of the brain, the biochemistry of the brain or the body,psychological influences from the outside, and the individual’s own thought –the last acting like a virtual reality with its own psychologicalexperiences.

The neurophysiologic factors ofpersonality are the most stable ones, being given by neural connections andsignaling. But they do vary observablyin youthful development and during reduction at old age – to some degree underbiochemical or psychological influences – and more drastically under pathologicalconditions or invasive medical treatment.

The biochemical factors ofpersonality, to the degree that they originate in the individual’s body, are ofsimilar constancy or slow variability over time, supporting the perception ofinvariability of individual personality; but it is important to notice thatthey are momentarily influenced by psychological factors, for example, inmoments of arousal through the production of adrenalin.  Additionally, the biochemical factors areeasily and often casually influenced from outside, as by the consumption ofcoffee, alcohol, or sedatives, more dangerously so by narcotics, butbenevolently by medication. Mostpathological personality problems or extremes of personality expression requirebiochemical intervention.

Psychological factors have thefastest, but also the most transient, impact on personality change andretention. Learning, experiences,examples, role models, role-playing, and adaptation to environment – all play apart in that correlation. One’s ownthought is of great importance in this context.

Individuals usually arecharacterized by the dominant personality expression as perceived by theobserver. This essay, however, putsspecial emphasis on the fact that each individual is capable of arepertoire of many different personality expressions, from benign andcalm in family settings to violent and aggressive when aroused by perceivedadversaries – or from honest and trustworthy in some social settings todishonest and false in different settings. Additional role-playing is possible. The selection of the momentarily active personality expression occursunder the influence of situational circumstances, cultural constraints, or ownthoughts that trigger neurophysiologic, biochemical, or psychologicalresponses.

Consequently, the careful selection,change, or retention of stability of the circumstantial environment is ofgreatest importance in influencing personality expression.  This allows the pursuit of more benevolentdevelopments or, with much patience, the repair of disrupted relations.

When pursuing more fundamentalpersonality development (“character building”), the goal-setting forpersonality change is often motivated by momentary situations or aspirations,whether in childhood or adult life. Alonger-term consideration with a wider horizon should complement thisconsideration. Personality traits thatare considered a momentary hindrance may become an asset upon widerconsideration, and vice versa.

Retention of valuable personalitytraits – generally as important as change of less desirable ones – is supportedprimarily by the stability of a desirable environment found in friendships,good marriage, favorable peer groups, guidance by excellent teachers or books,team support, activities in suitable ideological, political or religiouscongregations, and by good health.

Retention of valuable personalitytraits is sometimes threatened during adolescence by biochemical changes due tomaturing. Only some lifestyles(exercise, sports), biochemical support (including vitamins and supplements),and the influences of the psychological environment (family, teachers, rolemodels, friends, peer groups, camps, boarding school) can be of some help.  Similar considerations apply to phases ofaging in the late phases of life.

The recognition of thephenomenon of multiplicity of personality expressions by the sameindividual under different situational circumstances leads to severalimportant conclusions. Ineducation, additional personality strength can be mobilized by providing suitablesituations. In marriage orbusiness, a partner can be motivated to settle on a preferable personalityexpression by first projecting a suitable setting for such expression.  In criminal situations, judgment may have tobe restrained by considering singular situations and the potential of alternativepersonality expression under more suitable circumstances.  Thus, the responsibility for improvement inpersonality expression is often equally with the observer as with the object ofconcern.