That's because that leads to not caring and that's not a good survival trait. Humans that feel they have control over their life will outlive, outbreed those that don't. Of course another big question is, what's the point of conciousness at all as a survival trait if you don't have any control. Is it merely a by product of the inner workings of your brain to facilitate communication.

Yes, that's another very interesting question, the purpose of consciousness. I definitely don't think it's a byproduct though.

With me, absolutely no control - although my personality has changed. I used to be full of passion and loved to get involved; now I'm somehow arrogant and apathetic at the same time (I know they conflict).

For example, I used to be quite liberal, but now I disagree with quite a lot of liberal (and conservative) ideas. When I was liberal I used to get into heated debates and argue my position. Now I just don't care, I will say what I think but I wont get into a debate (It's often a waste of energy unless the other person has a really good point).

As you can guess this does not do me any favours when talking to new people. I genuinely do want people to like me though, so I try not to come across as arrogant or apathetic. This is more easily said than done, I always seem to revert back no matter how interested and engaging I try to be. I suppose I can't keep it up because I know that it's not how I am.

So to sum things up my personality changes naturally, but I have no chance if I want to change it by design.

I'm actually a psychiatrist with a sub-specialty in personality disorders. It's a nice thread, keep up the discussion.

This. Great post.

simply no, otherwise you'd be able to control sudden impulses, spure of the moment decisions.

you know it's wrong but you go on a killing spree. how do you make that change, nowing you don't want to, but thinking it's the only way to get whatever you seek (your agenda) done.

being able to change your personality, would mean changing everything about you, making you a completely different person.

repeat offenders wouldn't commit the same crime twice.

Jay!!! do you know how many different news stories that would contradic everything you posted that you said in the op? even the things you said you believe in the op.

you can't change your personality, but you can change the decisions you make.

trolls and fanboys would cease to exsist, if they could control how they feel about the competition. how you feel, and the the way you look at things are also apart of your personality, so there is no possible way to completely change your personality. it seemply doesn't work like that.

if you can change everything about yourself, from the way you dress to how you put on your shoess, then yes, you can change your personality. it's apart of you, so deal with it.

your personality changes with age, but that's not something you control.

My opinion cannot be translate in a post coz there's way too much stuff in that question, I'm not on my first language and I'm on leisure time... lol

Simplistic view:

We cannot control our personality, we are our personality.

Our personality is about 20% genetics, 80% environment influence.  We "sculpt" ourself experience by experience, moment by moment.  Our personality will determine how we cope in life, how we manage emotions in real-time.  We do not control our personality, it will evolve no matter what for the best or the worst.  However, we can make choices and we can learn to control emotions.

As a kid, i agree with you. However, once you hit your teenage years, that's the defining point where you choose how you treat others and yourself. Personality is something that fluctuates. For some years, you could have a shitty personality. As you grow and experience other things, you mold your personality depending on how you want people to perceive you.

Basically, I think someone's personality does come from external factors/environment/etc, but you definitely have control over it. I know people who consider me a very happy and charismatic person. Some of my co-workers think I'm way too serious and kinda of a buzzkill.