What are the 2 most common personality changes between 18 and 40?
Monday, May 13, 2024.
Research suggests that our goals in life evolve alongside our personalities.
A common trend observed between 18 and 40 is a shift towards greater agreeableness and conscientiousness.
Agreeable humans are characterized by their friendliness, warmth, and tactfulness, often prioritizing others' feelings.
Conversely, conscientious folks exhibit self-discipline and strive for achievement.
Dr. Olivia E. Atherton, the lead author of a study on this topic, highlights the connection between personality traits and life goals, noting that individuals' pursuit of these goals can further shape their personalities over time.
How the study was conducted
The study, which spanned over two decades and included over 500 participants, explored various life goals such as career, wealth, family, and involvement in politics or religion.
The findings revealed that folks who became more agreeable tended to prioritize relationship and family goals, while those who became more self-controlled and organized placed greater value on family and economic goals.
The study's authors also examined how personalities change over time. They found that, on average, humans tended to become more agreeable and conscientious, less neurotic, and showed relatively stable levels of openness to experience and extraversion from age 18 to 40.
Interestingly, the research also indicated that as humans age, they may place less importance on certain life goals, possibly due to a greater understanding of their personal strengths and limitations.
Are goals more important than people?
This study sheds light on the complex interplay between personality and life goals, highlighting how one's goals reflect and influence personality development. As Albert Einstein once said, "If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things."
On the surface, Einstein's perspective resonates with the findings of this study, suggesting that our individual goals can serve as a source of fulfillment and direction in life. However, for Einstein, his creative and intellectual pursuits likely fueled his scientific and aesthetic goals, such as his passion for playing the violin. he wasn’t much into his marriage, or truly intimate relationships for that matter.
The study, published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin (Atherton et al., 2020), underscores the dynamic nature of personality and the importance of understanding how it intersects with our aspirations. As humans navigate through different stages of life, their evolving personalities may shape the goals they set and the paths they take.
What I like about this study is how it probed the relationship between personality and life goals. The biggest takeaway for humans is potential insights into our own motivations and aspirations. This understanding can lead to more meaningful goal-setting and facilitate personal growth and development over time.
Overall, this research highlights the value of introspection and self-awareness in aligning our goals with our evolving personalities, ultimately contributing to a more fulfilling and purposeful life.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
RESEARCH:
Atherton, O. E., Grijalva, E., Roberts, B. W., & Robins, R. W. (2020). Stability and Change in Personality Traits and Major Life Goals From College to Midlife. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167220949362
