[English Conversation] Can you change your 'innate personality'? Tips for updating yourself, discovered through the latest research

Hello, this is Tanuko.
Have you ever given up on something you wanted to do, thinking, 'I've always had this kind of personality...'?
Some say personality is determined by genetics, while others say it's determined by how you're raised.

The answer provided by the latest science is actually very positive.



Original article here👉

How Nature and Nurture Shape Personality

Half of your personality is shaped by 'experience'

According to a large-scale study conducted in 2015, about 47% of personality differences are related to genetics.

In other words, more than half of the rest is determined by your 'environment' and 'daily experiences'!

Thinking about it that way, doesn't it feel like 'the current you' isn't everything, and that you can continue to change from here on out?

How to nurture the 'seed' of talent

A 2025 study examined the relationship between IQ and education in twins raised apart.

What they found was that even if you have the same genes, the way your abilities develop changes significantly depending on the education and environment you receive.

If genes are the 'seed,' then the environment is like 'sunlight' and 'water'.

No matter what kind of seed you have, you can change the type and size of the flower depending on how you nurture it.

Can a 'shy self' become a 'confident person'?

For example, even someone who is naturally confident can lose their confidence if unpleasant things keep happening.

Conversely, even someone who is naturally shy can change into a surprisingly confident person if they have support from those around them or meet the right people.

Personality isn't something set in stone; it's something that slowly changes its shape through interactions with others.

Conclusion: Design yourself

The important thing is not to worry about what you were 'born with,' but rather 'what kind of environment you will place yourself in from now on.'

Such daily accumulation will gradually create a 'new you'.

Let's walk our own paths more freely and authentically, without being defined by our 'current personality'!

☕️ Bonus: Points to remember from today's lesson

1. Vocabulary usage: 'Cautious' vs. 'Reckless'

Increasing the variety of words used to describe personality makes your expression richer.

• Cautious personality: Cautious

• Reckless/rash personality: Reckless
Antonyms of 'Cautious'

• Quick to decide: Make decisions quickly

• Not thinking deeply: Not thinking deeply

2. Natural phrases: Expressing lessons and habits

Instead of translating Japanese literally, using English-specific idioms will make you sound more natural.

• Activities outside of school: Extra-curricular activitiesThis is an expression often used when referring to lessons like swimming.

• Doing something unconsciously: Catch yourself doing (something)
This appeared in the context of 'noticing yourself doing behaviors similar to your parents'.

• Attention span: Attention span
In a discussion about wanting better focus, the teacher taught me this useful term to mean the length of time one can stay focused.

#SelfImprovement #Psychology #PersonalityResearch #Learning