Do you think that the older a person is, the least likely they are to change?

[ChicoFromThe305]

I know it all relies on the fact if they want to change or not but as people age doesn't it make it harder the longer they live a certain way? For example if someone lived 40 years a certain way then isn't it more than likely they will remain that way than they are likely to change?

[NathanDavis]

a lot of things will work that way, yes... but, maybe not all things

some will be more deeply rooted into your being, and might feel more essential to you than other things, and some like to call these "paradigms" or standard, which then could be "all they know" or "the only way they accept and go with"

other than that, it can go down to what kind of person you are... some people evolve more, some are forced to change, others refuse to change... and some others are okay and thrive with adaptation

personally, I see a lot of these things here at the border, with the so many people switching locations to either and both sides, and how much it can feel like "two different worlds" this one experience and challenge will go very differently for some or others... some refuse to adapt or change and just quit it or suffer, but others do embrace and welcome the assimilation, if you want to call it that way

but yes... much more difficult for those who are older and way older

[WindAtMyBack]

I don't think the idea of being "set in your way" is true. Or at least it's misleading. That implies that people become unbending simply because they've done things a certain way for many years.

To some degree that might be true. But I think it's more a case that the longer you live the more things you've tried and thought about. You learn the wrong way to do things, and the ways you just don't like. It's almost like trial and error.

This is related to the thought that older people are more closed minded, when I think in reality it's the other way around. I think young people are far more closed minded. It's just that as somebody gets older they have had plenty of time to try things and think about things, and reject them. Once you've heard a particular point of view a hundred times, there is simply no use in listening to it again for the hundred and first time.

After a while, there is very little new that crosses your path. Or it's closely enough related to what you've already experienced, it's still not truly new.

[IslaTheWitch]

the less people understand why they should change the less motivation and will for change they have... and older people tend to understand less... the world changed, and some of them didn't follow, so they stick to what feels safe... old habits... old ways...

so it's not an age... it's if we understand why we should change and how to do it...

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

I would not assume that wanting to change is really about willpower. I think we acquire willpower as something taught to us directly or indirectly. Or not taught, or not enough, and in that case, I expect no one to discover this capacity to change randomly. I expect this to happen, maybe, through traumatic experiences though.

I think the core personality is set early on, I see layers around the core evolving though. But it depends on many factors like exposure to positive/negative experiences, introspection capacity or lack of, cognitive barriers etc.

[Joshydavid25]

🤔🤔🤔... I think that in a way... Yes.. Because then you're set in your ways, and they are the ways you go about doing things... But, at the same time.. It depends on the mindset.. Older people are also more logical and wise in a way, and are probably more willing to listen to new ideas to change their mind..

[Twalli]

People are naturally resistant to change. We are comfortable with a routine. So drastic changes are difficult to us. The older we get with the less change, the less likely we will react to change well.

[ChicoFromThe305]

Indeed so

[Anonymous]

yes only if they have their fundamental principles on lock

40 years from now I'm not gonna suddenly believe there are 53 different genders or unborn babies are parasites or police are systemically racist

[DrPepper12]

Yes. They're set in the ways that work for them. Plus who wants the uncomfortablity of self reflection? 😂

[Anonymous]

No. I do think the older a person is typically the more cynical they become. But you're never too old to reinvent yourself. And whether that happens or not is unique to each person.

[exitseven]

Yes you get set in your ways and learn how the world works from your experiences. It is hard to change a basic set of beliefs.

[CubaPirate]

Possibly, we do get set in our way

[FunkyMonkee]

That's what they say.