In the 90’s, it was thought that personality traits stopped changing once we reached adulthood (McCrea & Costa, 1994). But, new research conducted has proven that statement to be false. When it comes to personality traits, it is defined as enduring patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that make a person unique and different than others (Roberts & Mroczek 2008). Roberts and Mroczek found that changes in self-confidence, warmth, self-control and emotional stability mostly occur between the ages of 20 and 40 (2008). That being said, they also found that mean-level change in personality traits also occur in middle and older aged people; meaning that personality traits can alter as time goes on. Roberts and Mroczek believe that the changes of traits are correlated with specific life events …show more content…
According to Roberts and Mroczek, one of the most important age periods where these changes occur are in young adulthood, ages 20-40 (2008). This is a time in people’s lives where they are trying to discover themselves. I am no different. One large event that occurred to help persuade my personality was leaving my home town to go to college in another state. In order to be successful, my traits had to adapt. I had to become more social; meaning not staying in my dorm because I didn’t want to go out, or speaking up in class and trying to make new friends in the classes I did have, joining clubs, and just being involved in all aspects. I had to be more open to try new things; food-wise, trying to make friends with people of completely different backgrounds/cultures, had to try new ways of studying to make sure that I got the grade that I wanted in certain classes, and I had to be open to the kind of critique that I would be attaining on college level