If You’re an Ass Then Change
May 30, 2007 by Greg
An article published last week by Live Science argues that not only can your personality change, but it probably should. As an advocate of personal growth I subscribe to this belief whole heartedly. However, researcher Carol Dweck goes further by illustrating cases in which personality changes display isolated performance advancements.
Dweck and her colleagues have shown that “when you change the belief, a lot of important things happen: students’ motivation turns around; their grades and test scores go up; managers become better mentors, more successful negotiators.”
Dweck claims that personality, generally refined to 5 basic characteristics, is much more than these few traits. By modifying the in-between features, personal growth is accelerated. She even applies the theory to choosing mates and lasting relationships. Read the full article for more information.
Hmm.. changed beliefs resulting in improved traits?
Shh.. don’t tell, it’s a “secret”.
I would be skeptical of these reports. Neuroscience and genetics constantly tell us that it is chemicals that determine our behavior, and not some mystical soul force. Free will is an outdated concept. In today’s politically correct environment, the popular media is trying to suppress all nature findings and trump the nurture findings. However, biology matters.
Perhaps this PC movement is trying to suppress a new eugenics movement. After all, if many of the undesirable elements of the population act the way they do because of genes and not choice, it wouldn’t be fair to punish them. Instead, just prevent them from reproducing.
I think there are patterns you can change and see the effects there of. I don’t think you can ‘will’ things into your life, but you can change your attitude towards it, and then do more observable work towards achieving it.