Personality changes throughout life: how people become closer to old age

A large-scale study involving 166,971 people from the US, Germany, Australia, and the Netherlands found that with age, extraversion, neuroticism, and openness to new experiences decline, while agreeableness and conscientiousness increase. Researchers at the University of Zurich surveyed 887 Americans who considered their personality stable, but data from long-term observations contradicted this notion.

A large-scale study covering data from 166,971 people in the US, Germany, Australia, and the Netherlands showed that personality traits continue to change throughout life. According to the results, between the ages of 15 and 90, people on average show declines in extraversion, neuroticism, and openness to new experiences, while agreeableness and conscientiousness increase. Researchers at the University of Zurich first surveyed 887 US residents who assessed changes in their character, health, financial situation, and social contacts. Most participants considered personality one of the most stable components of life, but data from long-term observations showed that character can change as much as other aspects. The authors emphasize that individual differences persist, but the results challenge the common notion that a formed character is unchangeable. Changes occur gradually, so people often do not notice them themselves.