Several years ago, Sibill Schilter, a student at the University of Zurich, learned that her school was hiring people to test whether a smartphone App could help someone change their personality traits. Curious to learn more about herself, Schilter signed up. Maybe, she thought, she was a little too agreeable.
For decades, psychologists have debated whether these traits are fixed or changeable. The study that Schilter participated in was designed to test whether using an App daily for three months would be enough to create noticeable and lasting personality changes. Each participant chose one trait they wanted to increase or decrease.
The App, called PEACH (PErsonality coACH), works like a diary, a dashboard (仪表板), and a text messaging channel rolled into one. On the dashboard, users can see an overview of their goals, a calendar that shows their progress, and their tasks for the week. For instance, someone who wants to bemore careful may be assigned to do homework for one hour after coming home from classes. The App sends the user two push notifications every day to remind him/her, and if the user makes progress, it will show up on the dashboard.
Users can also talk with a sort of digital coach, a chatbot also named “Peach”, about their daily activities. The chatbot might ask which task they are working on or how stressed they are. Users can also choose to complete a daily diary, doing a self-assessment of five main personality traits. (For example: How would you describe yourself today — shy or outgoing?)
In a study published in February in Proceedings of the National, Academy of Sciences the researchers concluded that the App works. The study was conducted with 1,523 volunteers. Compared to the control group, the users who received the smartphone intervention showed more self-reported personality trait changes toward their goals.
Overall, friends, family members, or close partners who volunteered to observe the participants also noticed the personality changes, with both self-reported and observer-reported changes existing for three months after the end of the study.
8. Why did Sibill Schilter sign up for the test?
A.To understand her personality better. | B.To make changes to a smartphone App. |
C.To make friends with outgoing people. | D.To learn more about goal-setting. |
9. What are participants required to do before the test?
A.To use the App for three months. | B.To learn to establish realistic goals. |
C.To share their dream with each other. | D.To consider the changes they want to make. |
10. How does the App remind its users of their tasks?
A.By sending out a special signal. | B.By requiring them to keep a diary. |
C.By sending messages to them. | D.By displaying their goals constantly. |
11. What can we learn about the results of the study?
A.The App needs to be improved in many ways. |
B.The App turns the users more outgoing. |
C.The App can also influence the observers’ behavior. |
D.The App has a lasting effect on the users’ personalities. |