Can a single event cause a permanent personality change/adoption of behavior? (Leishman)
As part of the stated goal in my last post, I am attempting to explain to my audience the underlying reason(s) behind their behaviors, so that they may understand their own actions as well as those of others. Previously, I have described how genetic and environmental influences contribute to individual behaviors. In summary, one's biological makeup and surroundings usually play crucial roles in influencing their behaviors and identification as an introvert or an extrovert. Thus, it would seem as if one's personality as an introvert or as an extrovert is built over time, as it is originally coded for in the genome, but it is then constructed upon in the form of personal experiences and environmental influences. However, is it possible for a single event to influence an individual to become a full-fledged introvert/extrovert? Additionally, is it possible for an individual who may be leaning toward being a moderate introvert/extrovert to immediately favor the other end of the spectrum as a result of a single event? In other words, contrary to the idea that one's personality and behaviors are a result of genetics and personal experiences over time, is it possible that a single event could determine for an individual whether they will be an introvert/extrovert? According to Nigel Barber in his article, "Trauma Resets Personality," the answer is yes. While most personality attributes in humans are constantly changing ever so slightly due to differing influences, Barber explains that sometimes certain events occur that forever change the personality and behaviors of some individuals. As Barber describes, these events are most often associated with unpleasant experiences and fear. He compares the influence of unpleasant experiences to those that are pleasant, dictating "that we are more profoundly altered by highly unpleasant experiences than by highly pleasurable ones, possibly because painful experiences signal imminent threats to survival." After, he goes on to describe the presence of fear as a "powerful motivator." In AP Psychology class, one of the topics that my teacher covered was a concept known as "operant conditioning." In essence, this concept centers on the idea that an organism/an individual can be trained based on a system of rewards and/or punishments. If an individual is rewarded for a behavior, they are more likely, if presented with the decision, to behave in the same manner, anticipating future rewards. However, if an individual is punished for an action, they are more likely, if presented with the decision, to defer from the behavior, fearing future punishment. In this same manner, Barber describes that, at times, an event may occur in an individual's life in which they are traumatized, or at least given cause to be afraid. Because of this event, as Barber explains, the individual(s) affected by this event will likely defer from similar situations and/or behaviors in the future. Basically, if an individual is given cause to become extremely embarrassed or afraid due to a single event, their personality/behaviors will change so that they can avoid similar experiences in the future. If the "trauma" presented by this experience is so extreme, the individual may develop extreme/severe personality attributes, even if such personality is contrary to the one that they had previously developed prior to the event. Barber places such an emphasis on the unpleasant nature of the experience because humans are more affected by unpleasant events than by pleasurable ones. Humans/organisms can live in a life without pleasure, although if they had the option, they would rather enjoy life than just live through it; conversely, humans/organisms cannot function properly in a life filled with fear and danger, so they must actively seek to avoid such experiences. Barber notes that "fear of physical harm is one important source of psychological problems. Fear of social rejection is less obvious but potentially just as important." Finally, he explains that reactions and recollections of events associated with such fear and anxiety are controlled by stress hormones, which provide the cause behind behavior. In application to some extreme introverts and extroverts, these individuals may be in the situation that they are in because of a certain unpleasant/traumatic event. Whereas this single event may not have been life-threatening, it may have at least caused extreme/severe embarrassment, so the individual, under the influence of stress hormones, thus chooses to adopt extreme personality attributes so as to avoid subsequent social embarrassment, or at least to convince themselves that they may be safe. Fear of social embarrassment, brought on by a single event, may even cause the individual to adopt a personality switch. For example, an extrovert who is relatively popular in school and is very talkative may be embarrassed by an event at a party/by an occurrence while giving a speech. As a result of this single event, this former extrovert may permanently adopt behaviors indicative of full-fledged introverts, refusing to talk to people and sitting in the corner. Because this single event was so unpleasant, the individual went from being an extrovert to an introvert so as to avoid future confrontation with embarrassment. Conversely, an introvert who is relatively quiet and reserved may be similarly embarrassed by an event at a party/by an occurrence while giving a speech. However, in this case, the individual, as a result, may permanently adopt behaviors indicative of full-fledged extroverts so as to give off the impression that they are impenetrable to embarrassment. This individual believes that because they act as if they shrug off shame, they will never again be placed in a similar situation. The significance of this phenomena is that because it does occur, such experiences may occur in anyone's life. At any point in time, an individual may be faced with such embarrassing/traumatic event, and as a result, adopt personality changes. Contrary to popular belief, the "egotistical" social butterfly and the "meek" hermit may actually have merit behind their behaviors. I am not making claims about social groups, but I do advocate that individuals in society should sympathize for/empathize with/understand the behaviors of individuals different from them. In addition, these changes do not have to occur on the drastic scale; one can simply adopt slightly more introverted/extroverted behaviors as the result of a single event. Such changes, small or large, may have occurred in your own life concerning personality and behavior and you may not have recognized it. For that reason, you may not be so different from the individuals described before. As a take-home point, the behaviors of some introverts/extroverts may simply be due to a single event that now influences such individuals to avoid similar situations. Thus, these individuals may adopt behaviors are either slightly or drastically different from their common actions. Not only can individuals account for the adoption of some of their own behaviors and personality attributes, but they may also be able to recognize the underlying reasons behind the actions of others. Lastly, as a point of advice (in my previous post I also noted that I wanted to be able to point out that individuals can actively change their behaviors/actions/personality/social disposition), a behavior driven by fear can be changed by casting away/ignoring such fear. In other words, if an individual truly wants to change their personality or behaviors, but are held back by the embarrassment or fear from a prior event/prior events, they can still actively make a difference for themselves, even if it may be difficult.
Works Cited
Barber, Nigel. "Trauma Resets Personality." Psychology Today. Sussex Publishers, LLC, 13 Dec. 2012. Web. 9 Jan. 2015.
Leishman, Ron. "Cartoon Kid with a Paper Bag on Head." Toon Vectors. Toon Vectors, 2 Nov. 2012. Web. 9 Jan. 2015.
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