When does "type" become fixed?

[CILi]

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[force my hand]

I never went through a disparate adolesence. Who I am at nearly 26 is who I was at 6... just slightly more reasoned and grumpy, that is.

I think personality is established at a young age, and what's left is commonly just a 'filling out' of sorts. No evidence, though - just a gut feeling.

[xyz]

Do you feel there's a critical life-stage or period of development where personality becomes entrenched?

When you obtain your first erection.

[Mattie]

I'd like to think that your personality is always changing. You become more moderate in some behaviors and polarized in others. You learn from so many experiences and the people around you add to your awareness in unique ways... You're always growing. But your type is more about your cognitive functions, and I think that settles at a young age. I would say at least when you started school, your type could be established, though it might be hard.

[DirectorAbbie]

I think it becomes fixed during the preschool years, when people are discovering what the world around them is like and how to react to it.

[anndelise]

I would think that the answer would depend on whether we consider type as being genetic, 'hormonal' (as in due to the hormonal fluctuations while in the womb), or learned behavior.

When I was young I showed very strong EXFp traits. (much to the annoyance of my betan brothers).
The oldest brother is said to have shown EXTx traits early.
and the other brother is said to have shown IXFp traits really early.

My daughter showed Gamma SF traits early, EXFx, and EP.
As she matures, its all been coming together to the actual ESFp typing.

[JuJu]

As to Socionics type, you know, I've always been this way... From what my Mom says, I was like this as an infant... I still like (and hate) the same type of people I did when I was 10.

Slightly off-topic: at 26, personality is a lot clearer than even 23--you know, just from having learned a few things from various situations... I.e. what used to keep me up at nights, I don't worry about much anymore... I hope this is what aging is like... as you learn new things, life keeps getting better and better and better...