Reading Comprehension

Reading Comprehension: Personality Change and the Pandemic

Personalities don’t usually change quickly but they may have during the pandemic

UPDATED OCTOBER 5, 20222:18 PM ET

By

Maggie Mertens

(adaptation)

Recent research indicates that the pandemic may have led to notable changes in Americans’ personalities. Typically, major personality traits remain fairly stable throughout life. Most change happens in young adulthood or when stressful personal life events occur. It’s rare to see population-wide personality shifts, even after stressful events. However, in a new study in the journal PLOS One, psychologists found that this happened in the wake of the pandemic.

Previously, the researchers had found a small, counterintuitive change in personality early in the pandemic: They found a decrease in neuroticism, the personality trait associated with stress and negative emotions. In the current study, they were curious if they would find different personality changes in the second and third year of the pandemic. They did. In the later period of the pandemic, the researchers noted significant declines in the traits that help us navigate social situations, trust others, think creatively, and act responsibly. These changes were especially pronounced among young adults.

The researchers attribute these personality changes to evolving public sentiment surrounding the pandemic. While the initial phase saw a sense of unity, the subsequent years brought a decline in support, increased hostility, and social upheaval related to restrictions. This loss of collective goodwill could have played a significant role in shaping individuals’ personalities. Utilizing the Big Five Inventory, a widely-accepted model for studying personality, the study revealed a decline in extroversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness, coupled with an increase in neuroticism among younger adults. These particular personality changes in young people have the potential for negative long-term impacts, too, says Jackson. “[Agreeableness and conscientiousness] are characteristics that are associated with success in the workforce, and in relationships,” he says.

The study authors concur, writing that high conscientiousness is associated with higher educational achievement and income and lower risk of chronic diseases. Neuroticism is linked with risky health behaviors and poor mental health.

 

Phrase Matching

Paragraphs 1 and 2

1.       Recent research	a.       that this happened in the wake of the pandemic
2.       may have led	b.      in neuroticism
3.       Most change happens	c.       indicates that the pandemic
4.       psychologists found	d.      of the pandemic
5.       They found a decrease	e.      to notable changes in
6.       They were curious	f.        were especially pronounced
7.       In the later period	g.       if they would find
8.       These traits	h.      In young adults

 

Paragraphs 3 and 4

9.       The researchers	i.         for studying personality
10.   the subsequent years	j.        with success in the workplace
11.   This loss	k.       is associated with higher
12.   a widely accepted model	l.         brought a decline in support
13.   These particular changes in young people	m.    With risky behavior and poor mental health
14.   Characteristics that are associated with	n.      Attribute the personality changes to
15.   High conscientiousness	o.      have the potential to
16.   Neuroticism is linked	p.      of collective goodwill

 

Listening – Listen and fill in the gaps

Recent (1)_______________ the pandemic may have led to notable changes in Americans’ personalities. Typically, (2)___________ remain fairly stable throughout life. Most change happens in young adulthood or when stressful personal life events occur. It’s rare to see population-wide personality shifts, (3)_____________. However, in a new study in the journal PLOS One, psychologists found that this happened in (4)________________.

Previously, the researchers had found a small, counterintuitive change in personality early in the pandemic: They found a decrease in neuroticism, the personality trait associated with (5)____________. In the current study, they were curious if they would find different personality changes in the second and third year of the pandemic. They did. In the later period of the pandemic, the researchers noted significant declines in the traits that help us (6)____________, trust others, (7)______________, and act responsibly. These changes were especially pronounced (8)_________________.

 

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are.

 

RecentresearchindicatesthatthepandemicmayhaveledtonotablechangesinAmericans’personalities. Typically,majorpersonalitytraitsremainfairlystablethroughoutlife.Mostchangehappensinyoung adulthoodorwhenstressfulpersonallifeeventsoccur.It’sraretoseepopulation-widepersonalityshifts, evenafterstressfulevents.However,inanewstudyinthejournalPLOSOne,psychologistsfoundthatthis happenedinthewakeofthepandemic.

 

Role Play

You are a journalist interviewing the researcher. Write five good questions to ask him or her.

You are a researcher who worked on the project. Think of what the journalist may ask you and prepare your answers.

 

Vocabulary Practice

What does it mean to be bad-tempered, cheerful, dishonest, easy-going, friendly or generous? Play the personality traits game and find out.