Christian Jarrett

Dr. Christian Jarrett, deputy editor of Psyche magazine and an expert in personality science, delves into the fascinating world of personality change. He reveals why most personality tests fail to capture true character and the surprising genetic factors influencing who we are. Listeners will learn actionable strategies to overcome shyness, boost ambition, and sustain personal growth. With insights on how our traits evolve over time and their impact on life outcomes, this discussion is a must for anyone looking to reshape their identity and thrive.

Ozan Varol, a former rocket scientist and author, shares his insights on finding personal success and the importance of creativity over conformity. He emphasizes the need for independent thought in today's world. Christian Jarrett, a cognitive neuroscientist and author, discusses the possibility of personality change and how individuals can consciously modify traits to reach their goals. Together, they explore the pathways to awaken one's genius and the science behind personal transformation, making for an enlightening conversation on self-improvement.

This is Episode 25 of PsychCrunch, the podcast from the British Psychological Society’s Research Digest, sponsored by Routledge Psychology. Are our personalities set in stone, or can we choose to change them? In this bonus episode, Matthew Warren talks to former Research Digest editor Christian Jarrett about his new book Be Who You Want: Unlocking the Science of Personality Change. Christian discusses the evidence-based methods you can use to alter your personality, whether you’re an introvert who wants to become the life of the party, or you simply wish you were a little more open to new experiences. He also explains how our personalities evolve over the course of our lifespans, even when we’re not consciously trying to change them, and ponders how they might be affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Be Who You Want: Unlocking the Science of Personality Change is out on May 18th in the United States and May 20th in the United Kingdom. Episode credits: Presented by Matthew Warren. Mixing and editing by Jeff Knowler. PsychCrunch theme music by Catherine Loveday and Jeff Knowler. Art work by Tim Grimshaw. Work discussed in this episode includes: Merely desiring to alter your personality is not enough, and may backfire unless you take concrete action to change Longest ever personality study finds no correlation between measures taken at age 14 and age 77 Here’s How Our Personality Changes As We Age Other background reading A little discussed effect of therapy: it changes your personality Here’s How Personality Changes In Young Adulthood Can Lead To Greater Career Satisfaction When Deciding How To Improve Our Personalities, Moral Character Is Not A Priority New insights into lifetime personality change from “meta-study” featuring 50,000 participants

Christian Jarrett, a cognitive neuroscientist and Deputy Editor of Psyche, dives into the fascinating world of personality and its malleability. He discusses how our biology and environment shape who we are, emphasizing the influence of health, job roles, and peer interactions. Christian shares insights on the lemon juice personality test and critiques cancel culture, advocating for the importance of redemption and personal growth. He also explores the complex nature of personality disorders and the surprising traits exhibited by leaders, making a case for the power of a challenge mindset.

Neuroscientist Christian Jarrett explores how personalities can evolve through life events and intentional changes. He discusses blending internal and external strategies to bring about authentic personality changes by aligning actions with aspirations and values.