Influence Of Experience In Shaping Personality

Most theories of personality development generally aggress on the influence of experience on personality. The manner in which that influence occurs, however, varies in accordance with assumptions concerning the nature of mind and development. In the early days, when the theories on personality development were being postulated, one wide spread belief was the child was considered to be a ‘tabula rasa’ (blank slate) onto which anything could be sculpted through environmental experience.

Experiences influence personality depending on the depth of the experience. A traumatic experience for example, would make the individual deeply self-reliant and also deeply distrustful of others. While a person motivated by his positive experiences, works towards achieving a similar experience consciously and sub consciously. Some personality traits like attitudes, likes and dislikes and such are purely shaped by the experiences the individual has from his early days. The way in which individuals think, feel, and behave in their adult relationships is governed not only by factors in their immediate surroundings, but is a direct result of their past relationships and personal attachment extending all the way back to childhood. Expression of emotions in an adult can be related back to a person’s attachment experiences during earlier social development.

Elderly generations who have more experience in dealing with stressful events are better able to cope with the situation due to their experiences. A person’s personality can be more flexible and accommodating of both positive and negative life events and stressors. A more experienced person becomes more confident in handling situations and wiser about which methods or techniques work best. They are better able to accept life changes by creating a more adaptive stance on issues and situations which may arise. Additionally, with the experience and the wisdom gained from successfully coping with life events, the personality of an individual becomes more adaptable and less rigid.