Personality Changes over the Lifespan
By
Robbyn Wallace
Aging equates change in the form of mentally, physically and emotionally, and with such change comes the underlying questions of determining human behavior. Many variables contribute to change within a person, from genetics, family and cultural to environmental or situational triggers. What inspires or empowers, or perhaps, what tears down or demeans a person, these can be very important in truly understanding or approaching a life issue. As a person ages, growth happens. Personality can be viewed as patterns of implicit attitudes and explicit behaviors unique to each individual at any given time, but can be manipulated and/or changed by internal processes and/or external variables. There is no single perspective that can adequately explain personality over the lifespan. In developmental terms one can integrate the multilevel processes or systems of contextual influences or variables to determine not only design but the evolution of such influences. Personality is impacted by the dynamics of and between such factors as experiences, biological and cultural. From many perspectives, personality is viewed as being manipulated by concepts such as self-esteem, self-concept, or self-image. Explained from a Rogarian perspective, individuals are governed by an organismic valuing process throughout the lifespan defining the evaluation process of the individual by their subjective perception. Therefore, essentially if an individual has a low self-esteem it may cause that individual's perception of any given experience to have a more negative tone, which can lead to such problems as anti-social behavior or oppositional defiance disorder among others. On the other hand, the higher one's level of positive self-regard, it is more likely that individual received more positive regard from their parents or caregivers. Conceptually, this concept can be an intense manipulating force throughout a lifespan, which would cause fluctuations with the individual's personality. In Schultz and Schultz (2009), it is stated that Erik Erikson, developer of psychosocial model, "believed that all aspects of personality could be explained in terms of turning points, or crises, we must meet and resolve at each developmental stage (pg. 205)." Through the lens of psychosocial development model, the personality is built upon, and evolves through the life stages, with success or failure to achieve each stage of development throughout the lifespan.These stages offer an opportunity for the individual to adapt and strengthen their coping skills, or can leave the individual with stigma(s) from any stage not successfully achieved. Erikson (Schultz & Schultz, 2009) believed, "We are not victims of biological forces or childhood experiences and are influenced more by learning and social interactions than by heredity (pg. 236)." This view seems complimentary to Bandura's modeling theory (Schultz & Schultz, 2009), which emphasizes the importance of learned behaviors and the role they play in the development of personality. Behaviors of an individual may be concluded to have resulted from reinforcement over time, and, from a behavorial perspective, can be manipulated through reinforcement in effort of eliciting specific behaviors. If an individual can learn to self-reinforce specific behaviors, the individual will be more likely to successfully manipulate or change undesired behaviors into more suitable ones. An individual's self-efficacy, which is the belief in one's own abilities, is instrumental from this perspective because it establishes how and to what level the individual is motivated to fulfill their potential. As stated by Schultz and Schultz (2009), "Self-efficacy is the crucial factor in determining success or failure throughout the entire lifespan (pg. 413)." There are certain underlined qualities or traits a person may carry throughout their lifespan, though it may be displayed differently at different interjections of their life. Through the lens of trait theorist, an individual is equip with basic traits that, even though may be projected differently throughout the individual's lifespan, remain constant within the individual. Personality can be understood from multiply perspectives; however, personality is essentially the internal framework which interacts with environment to create one's behavior. Therefore, from a behavioral approach one might perceive the patterns of behavior as key indicators of personality, and will from that determine how to elicit change through reinforcement ending in behavioral modification. However, from a humanistic approach one may contend that a personality is tangible and is based on one's internal environment, and can be altered through unconditional positive regard, empathy and empowerment. Each stage of life deserves it's own emphasis of importance; therefore, it is essential that a counselor be prepared to approach and empower any individual, at any age, with any life issue. Counselors must remain an open-minded vessel of compassion and empathy, and able to attribute true positive regard. When it comes to elderly, there are many successful tools a counselor may need when interacting with this population. Realization, that they are people who have lived a life full of experiences and have been shaped by many forces or variables. Understanding, that each one has unique needs, desires, and/or problems. Empathizing, that you can truly put yourself in their shoes and understand from their perspective. Empowering, find what makes each individual feel adequate, in control and safe so that they can maintain some sense of independence. Sometimes understanding and validation go a long way. When working with the elderly population it becomes essential to be an advocate, making it a point to know all the resources in the surrounding area that can provide services to fulfill the individual's needs. "In this last phase of life, psychological functioning may be characterized by aspects of change and constellations of factors that are quite distinct from the causal and processual network that is operative at earlier phases of life (Baltes & Smith, 2004)." At-home-care has been a rising star for several years now, out-poring hope to not only this generation of elderly but the ones to come as well. Having worked with this population in an at-home-care outreach along with the many disciplines that unite to create an environment that empowers elderly to continue living independently, or at least in their own home, for much much longer leaves me with an embedded appreciation for all who work with this population. Each situation is so unique that one can not begin to generalize a single approach. It is crucial that assessments be made on an individual basis with the involvement of family or caregivers. Reiterating Patty Shirmbeck in the podcast interview (2006), today's elders are much more educated that yesterday's elders, leading to a new dawn in how they approach this stage of life. As stated, depression seems more pronounced as ever before, but what happened was that being more educated gave way to this population feeling less ashamed about depression and such. This generation has learned the value of the helping profession and the relief that can bring to their livelihood. Such programs as the Gatekeeper Program (Shirmbeck, 2006) provide training to individuals working in the community in professions most likely to interact with the elderly population and is a defining force of what community is capable of creating when people work together for common good. "Chronological age may provide some limited orienting information about general expectations, but at an individual level, the therapist needs to retain a data gathering perspective to understand what are the true variables (Laidlaw & Pachana, 2009)." As a counselor working with this population, it would be necessary to understanding the specific issues faced. It is important to not only be educated in technique and style but education focused on resources leading to empowerment and some depth of independence is essential in working with the elderly population. Equally important is the dynamics of gains and loses in the individual's lifespan.(Baltes & Smith, 2004) Information gathering is critical regardless of age, but when dealing with elderly one must realize the most prominent details are likely to be dealing with family dynamics, health, and finances. CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy) can be beneficial in cognitive reconstruction of negative internal scripts resulting in unhealthy behaviors or attitudes. Transitioning into elderlihood can sometimes cause the individual to have identity confusion, therefore, having to rediscover them self. (Laidlaw & Pachana, 2009) I believe every counselor would greatly benefit from I believe every counselor would greatly benefit from personal therapy. Not only will it enlighten them how it feels to be vulnerable, but will give them a greater sense of patience, understanding and empathy in the process. Self-awareness is probably the most valuable tool any counselor could obtain, and allowing oneself to explore that vulnerably with another is invaluable.
References:
Baltes, P. B., & Smith, J. (2004). Lifespan Psychology: From Developmental Contextualism to Developmental Biocultural Co-constructivism. Research In Human Development, 1(3), 123-144.
Laidlaw, K., & Pachana, N. A. (2009). Aging, mental health, and demographic change: Challenges for psychotherapists. Professional Psychology: Research And Practice, 40(6), 601-608. doi:10.1037/a0017215
Schultz, D. P., & Schultz, S. E. (2009). Theories of personality (9th ed.). Florence, KY: Wadsworth/ Cengage.
Shirmbeck, P. (Speaker). (2006). Elder issues [Podcast Recording No. CAS038]. Kent, OH: CounselorAudioSource.net. Retrieved January 18, 2007, from http://www.counseloraudiosource.net/ feeds/cas038.mp3
By
Robbyn Wallace
Aging equates change in the form of mentally, physically and emotionally, and with such change comes the underlying questions of determining human behavior. Many variables contribute to change within a person, from genetics, family and cultural to environmental or situational triggers. What inspires or empowers, or perhaps, what tears down or demeans a person, these can be very important in truly understanding or approaching a life issue. As a person ages, growth happens. Personality can be viewed as patterns of implicit attitudes and explicit behaviors unique to each individual at any given time, but can be manipulated and/or changed by internal processes and/or external variables. There is no single perspective that can adequately explain personality over the lifespan. In developmental terms one can integrate the multilevel processes or systems of contextual influences or variables to determine not only design but the evolution of such influences. Personality is impacted by the dynamics of and between such factors as experiences, biological and cultural. From many perspectives, personality is viewed as being manipulated by concepts such as self-esteem, self-concept, or self-image. Explained from a Rogarian perspective, individuals are governed by an organismic valuing process throughout the lifespan defining the evaluation process of the individual by their subjective perception. Therefore, essentially if an individual has a low self-esteem it may cause that individual's perception of any given experience to have a more negative tone, which can lead to such problems as anti-social behavior or oppositional defiance disorder among others. On the other hand, the higher one's level of positive self-regard, it is more likely that individual received more positive regard from their parents or caregivers. Conceptually, this concept can be an intense manipulating force throughout a lifespan, which would cause fluctuations with the individual's personality. In Schultz and Schultz (2009), it is stated that Erik Erikson, developer of psychosocial model, "believed that all aspects of personality could be explained in terms of turning points, or crises, we must meet and resolve at each developmental stage (pg. 205)." Through the lens of psychosocial development model, the personality is built upon, and evolves through the life stages, with success or failure to achieve each stage of development throughout the lifespan.These stages offer an opportunity for the individual to adapt and strengthen their coping skills, or can leave the individual with stigma(s) from any stage not successfully achieved. Erikson (Schultz & Schultz, 2009) believed, "We are not victims of biological forces or childhood experiences and are influenced more by learning and social interactions than by heredity (pg. 236)." This view seems complimentary to Bandura's modeling theory (Schultz & Schultz, 2009), which emphasizes the importance of learned behaviors and the role they play in the development of personality. Behaviors of an individual may be concluded to have resulted from reinforcement over time, and, from a behavorial perspective, can be manipulated through reinforcement in effort of eliciting specific behaviors. If an individual can learn to self-reinforce specific behaviors, the individual will be more likely to successfully manipulate or change undesired behaviors into more suitable ones. An individual's self-efficacy, which is the belief in one's own abilities, is instrumental from this perspective because it establishes how and to what level the individual is motivated to fulfill their potential. As stated by Schultz and Schultz (2009), "Self-efficacy is the crucial factor in determining success or failure throughout the entire lifespan (pg. 413)." There are certain underlined qualities or traits a person may carry throughout their lifespan, though it may be displayed differently at different interjections of their life. Through the lens of trait theorist, an individual is equip with basic traits that, even though may be projected differently throughout the individual's lifespan, remain constant within the individual. Personality can be understood from multiply perspectives; however, personality is essentially the internal framework which interacts with environment to create one's behavior. Therefore, from a behavioral approach one might perceive the patterns of behavior as key indicators of personality, and will from that determine how to elicit change through reinforcement ending in behavioral modification. However, from a humanistic approach one may contend that a personality is tangible and is based on one's internal environment, and can be altered through unconditional positive regard, empathy and empowerment. Each stage of life deserves it's own emphasis of importance; therefore, it is essential that a counselor be prepared to approach and empower any individual, at any age, with any life issue. Counselors must remain an open-minded vessel of compassion and empathy, and able to attribute true positive regard. When it comes to elderly, there are many successful tools a counselor may need when interacting with this population. Realization, that they are people who have lived a life full of experiences and have been shaped by many forces or variables. Understanding, that each one has unique needs, desires, and/or problems. Empathizing, that you can truly put yourself in their shoes and understand from their perspective. Empowering, find what makes each individual feel adequate, in control and safe so that they can maintain some sense of independence. Sometimes understanding and validation go a long way. When working with the elderly population it becomes essential to be an advocate, making it a point to know all the resources in the surrounding area that can provide services to fulfill the individual's needs. "In this last phase of life, psychological functioning may be characterized by aspects of change and constellations of factors that are quite distinct from the causal and processual network that is operative at earlier phases of life (Baltes & Smith, 2004)." At-home-care has been a rising star for several years now, out-poring hope to not only this generation of elderly but the ones to come as well. Having worked with this population in an at-home-care outreach along with the many disciplines that unite to create an environment that empowers elderly to continue living independently, or at least in their own home, for much much longer leaves me with an embedded appreciation for all who work with this population. Each situation is so unique that one can not begin to generalize a single approach. It is crucial that assessments be made on an individual basis with the involvement of family or caregivers. Reiterating Patty Shirmbeck in the podcast interview (2006), today's elders are much more educated that yesterday's elders, leading to a new dawn in how they approach this stage of life. As stated, depression seems more pronounced as ever before, but what happened was that being more educated gave way to this population feeling less ashamed about depression and such. This generation has learned the value of the helping profession and the relief that can bring to their livelihood. Such programs as the Gatekeeper Program (Shirmbeck, 2006) provide training to individuals working in the community in professions most likely to interact with the elderly population and is a defining force of what community is capable of creating when people work together for common good. "Chronological age may provide some limited orienting information about general expectations, but at an individual level, the therapist needs to retain a data gathering perspective to understand what are the true variables (Laidlaw & Pachana, 2009)." As a counselor working with this population, it would be necessary to understanding the specific issues faced. It is important to not only be educated in technique and style but education focused on resources leading to empowerment and some depth of independence is essential in working with the elderly population. Equally important is the dynamics of gains and loses in the individual's lifespan.(Baltes & Smith, 2004) Information gathering is critical regardless of age, but when dealing with elderly one must realize the most prominent details are likely to be dealing with family dynamics, health, and finances. CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy) can be beneficial in cognitive reconstruction of negative internal scripts resulting in unhealthy behaviors or attitudes. Transitioning into elderlihood can sometimes cause the individual to have identity confusion, therefore, having to rediscover them self. (Laidlaw & Pachana, 2009) I believe every counselor would greatly benefit from I believe every counselor would greatly benefit from personal therapy. Not only will it enlighten them how it feels to be vulnerable, but will give them a greater sense of patience, understanding and empathy in the process. Self-awareness is probably the most valuable tool any counselor could obtain, and allowing oneself to explore that vulnerably with another is invaluable.
References:
Baltes, P. B., & Smith, J. (2004). Lifespan Psychology: From Developmental Contextualism to Developmental Biocultural Co-constructivism. Research In Human Development, 1(3), 123-144.
Laidlaw, K., & Pachana, N. A. (2009). Aging, mental health, and demographic change: Challenges for psychotherapists. Professional Psychology: Research And Practice, 40(6), 601-608. doi:10.1037/a0017215
Schultz, D. P., & Schultz, S. E. (2009). Theories of personality (9th ed.). Florence, KY: Wadsworth/ Cengage.
Shirmbeck, P. (Speaker). (2006). Elder issues [Podcast Recording No. CAS038]. Kent, OH: CounselorAudioSource.net. Retrieved January 18, 2007, from http://www.counseloraudiosource.net/ feeds/cas038.mp3
