My Experience

          In response to the question “what else might change,” McAdams proposed two responses that do not just state yes and no, but give a brief detailed response. The first response to the question was: No, we should not expect to see more change, once we realize just how hard it is to change. The second answer to the question was: Sure, people change, but not so much their traits. When I asked myself “what else might change,” and which response I agreed with it was: Sure, people change, but not so much their traits, (McAdams, 2009).

          I believe the truth is significant personality change may occur, but that change may not be captured in a person’s trait scores. One’s personality and behaviors are able to change and those changes can affect personality traits, but no change in traits occur. Traits are inherited, but personalities and behaviors are not, therefore changes only occur in said personalities and behaviors. Changes in personalities and behaviors sometimes occur because of problems and issues, characteristic desires and wants, goals and motives, life plans, values and beliefs, coping strategies, developmental concerns, hopes, wishes, expectations for intimate relationships, vision for the future, understanding of the past, but these reasons for change are not traits, therefore traits do not change, (McAdams, 2009).

          A personal example is of a breakup of a long-term relationship I shared with another. She and I both made mistakes in the relationship. After the breakup I realized I needed to make changes in my personality and behaviors. My traits were not the cause of the breakup; in fact the cause was partially to do with my personality and behaviors. Some aspects of my personality and the behaviors displayed in the relationship did not truly reflect my traits. Therefore I have and had to make changes to prepare for a future relationship.  

No, we should not expect to see more change, once we realize just how hard it is to change, is a response I do not agree with I however do agree with: Sure, people change, but not so much their traits (McAdams, 2009). People do change and changes happen because of reasons in one’s life. However traits which are inherited do not change.

Reference

McAdams, D. P. (2009). The person: A new introduction to personality psychology. (5th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.