How and when can people really change? And is it realy possible?

Question

Is their character predetermined or someone's character always in the process of change based on his or her environment??

Answer 1

Interesting answers. For example, I didn't see in your question whether "bad" or "good" would be bring change. Nor did you make any sort of "analogy." (I sometimes wonder if some people truly take the time to READ the question!)
Our "core" nature never changes; it can be modified. & in my experience, this is often motivated by envirornment as well as, & in addition to, our desire to go to another "phase" that will make our lives more in harmony. It's not a matter of "changing," but doing a bit of "grooming" when needed. Most of us are in the process of modifying all our lives. But the true "nature" of someone is maintained. This has been proven scientifically.

Answer 2

Then answer is yes. People can and do change, even though aspects of their character are predetermined by their heredity. Why do people insist on an either/or answer? I remember an archeological debate called "Early Man, Lowly Hyena or Mighty Lion?" The essential question asked was if Homo Habilis was more a scavenger or a hunter. Well, "lowly" hyenas are actually fine hunters. They hunt when the must and scavenge whenever they can. Now lions, on the other hand, scavenge quite as much as they hunt. It seems "mighty" lions hunt only when they must and scavenge whenever they can. Therefore it seems safe to assume that early homonids hunted when they had to and scavenged when they could.

In the age old "Nurture vs. Nature" debate, i.e. heredity vs. environment, it is clear that both aspects in greater and lesser amounts go into making up a human being. And we are not technically able, at this point, to separate out which of the millions of elements that go into making up a human personality are due solely to heredity, which are due solely to environment and which result from a combo. Twins raised separately show remarkable similar personalities, but siblings raised in the same environment can be radically different. Some people respond to negative environments heroically, while others succumb to the abyss in which they are raised. Some respond to an environment with every advantage as well as one might expect, while others, raised with the same advantages descend into addictions and dispair. Can only heredity OR only environment explains these complex reactions? Of course not. Some people refuse to change, but history is replete with examples people who underwent astonishing transformations. And people who have changed have gone on to change society.

Answer 3

I am assuming that this question is considered in the
context how many "good" decisions must a "bad" person
make to become a "good" person or how many "bad"
decisions must a "good" person make to become a
"bad" person.
In my opinion, there is no set number or standard other
than the legal system. It is a multi-faceted system which
depends on both the decision-maker and the decision-
observer. The decision-maker's character can change
due to any number of factors such as stress, physical
injury, or lack of necessary bio-sustenance. I don't
think a decision-maker's character changes solely
because of bad judgement unless it is due to intentional
ignorance. The decision-observer has a level of tolerance
and/or irritability and these traits can contribute to
judgements regarding character observation. Therefore,
an irritable decision-observer might state a decision-
maker has bad character regardless of objective
observation. The same goes for a tolerant decision-
observer might state a decision-maker has good
character regardless of objective observation.
It is somewhat ironic that normally only the irritable
decision-observer is regarded as delusional
in blatantly obvious judgements because the
tolerant decision-observer, if they aren't objective,
doesn't do the decision-maker a favor by letting
the decision-maker think that efficient decisions
are being made if in fact those decisions deserve
criticism. Therefore, an individual with good character
can be surrounded by many irritable individuals who
deem the individual has bad character and reciprocally
an individual with bad character can be surrounded by
many tolerant individuals who deem the individual has
good character. In my opinion, the decision-maker's
character can change based on their environment
and the decision-observer's opinion of character can
change based on their environment.

Answer 4

There are other applications in which the term "character" is defined more specifically. But your question clearly denotes the general sense of the term. Character, then, is defined as a description of a person's attitudes, attributes, traits, and abilities.

We know that our attitudes are ours to choose. We know that our attributes and traits have to do with our personality. And obviously our abilities can be enhanced, grown, and changed.

Ultimately, a person's character will be determined based upon the principles he appropriates from the world around him, his education, especially in matters of ethics and morality, and upon the people he exemplifies. And none of that is predetermined in anyone.

Changing one's character is not only possible, there are countless examples of it throughout history, in our time, and by several means. Personally, I have witnessed startling changes for the worse in a persons character based on tragic events that altered those core principles, his perception of morality, and what he exemplified reflected no longer a person, but a attitude. I've also seen night to day changes in a person's character for the better. In this example, it was for the same reason as the first. The only difference was, He gained principles from the Bible about himself and life. He gained knowledge on ethics and morality there, too. And the one who he exemplified was Jesus; how do you get better than that? The effect was shocking. It took a self-loathing drug addicted deadbeat father at the age of 22, to a self-confident, healthy and loving husband and father of 3, with a zeal for life and peace in his heart. Character can change! Most definitely! It takes a radical rehaul of the core of a person sometimes, but it is quite possible!

Answer 5

I think there's always a process of change. Each person we meet and situation life brings has the possibility of reshaping us. I think there has to be more there than a desire to change, though. Good intentions don't build or change character..actions do.

Answer 6

The fundemental character never changes. It is too closely tied to identity. It is possible for a person to alter others preception of the ones character. This makes it difficult to impossible to know if a person really changes the ancillary aspects of their character.

Answer 7

Yes, I do believe that people can change. You can grow if you work on yourself. From my own experience of many years going to therapy and support groups, I am able to act differently in stressful situations than I used to. Many people do not work on themself and therefore stay the same. That is my opinion.

Answer 8

Small changes happen over time and as a person is exposed to different things in life.

A major change (if it is going to happen) usually happens due to a major life event. car accident, loss of a friend/family member, major injury, major disease. Something extraordinary.

Answer 9

The only way someone can truly change is if they desire it. No body can change a person unless the person allows them. We have free will and can choose who we want to be, but the only way for ourselves or anyone else to ever change is to personally desire it.

Answer 10

People change because they want to, everyone has the choice of changing for the better or for the worse!