The Science Behind Meet Eli

For a long time, people believed personality never changed. Once you were called a certain “type,” that was it. Tests like Myers-Briggs, DISC, OCEAN, and the Enneagram were built on that idea. Early research seemed to agree, showing that main traits like curiosity or dependability stayed the same over time¹.

But newer studies show that isn’t true². Personality is more flexible than we once thought. Science now tells us that people can change in real and lasting ways. A review of more than 200 studies found that people who practiced new habits—like managing emotions or being more social—showed real shifts in personality traits³. These changes were strongest when people focused on small, repeatable actions that matched their goals and values⁴. 

Another study found that traits such as emotional balance and reliability often grow stronger with age⁵. Even brain research shows the brain changes in response to learning and behavior proficiency increases⁶. These findings challenge the old idea that personality is fixed.

Most personality tools describe who you are right now, but don’t help you grow. They label, but they don’t teach. Research now shows that consistent action—not just awareness—creates long-term change³,⁶. Eli is the tool that measures your behaviors and the “you” that the outside world experiences.

Many experts agree that real change starts with action. Dr. Marsha Linehan said, “Action produces motivation.” Dr. Judith Beck added, “We can’t always change how we feel, but we can act differently—and that changes how we think.” And Dr. Steven Hayes said, “Commit to action first; thoughts and feelings will catch up.” These ideas show that doing something new changes how we think and feel⁷,⁸,⁹.

That’s why Eli was created. Eli is artificial intelligence that helps people build the habits that lead to growth. It doesn’t label your personality—it helps shape it. Using data and advanced learning systems, Eli tracks your actions and shows how small, steady steps can improve how you relate, reflect, and respond to life. Over time, those actions add up. You can see yourself differently, and others can too. Eli, through connection, calm, and clarity, cultivates change for good.

End Notes*

1. Costa, P. T., & McCrae, R. R. (1992). Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R) and NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) professional manual. Psychological Assessment Resources.

2. Roberts, B. W., Luo, J., Briley, D. A., Chow, P. I., Su, R., & Hill, P. L. (2017). A systematic review of personality trait change through intervention. Psychological Bulletin, 143(2), 117–141.

3. Roberts, B. W., Walton, K. E., & Viechtbauer, W. (2006). Patterns of mean-level change in personality traits across the life course: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Psychological Bulletin, 132(1), 1–25.

4. Hudson, N. W., & Fraley, R. C. (2015). Volitional personality trait change: Can people choose to change their personality traits? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 109(3), 490–507.

5. Soto, C. J., John, O. P., Gosling, S. D., & Potter, J. (2011). Age differences in personality traits from 10 to 65. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 100(2), 330–348.

6. Draganski, B., Gaser, C., Busch, V., Schuierer, G., Bogdahn, U., & May, A. (2004). Changes in grey matter induced by training. Nature, 427, 311–312; Kleim, J. A., & Jones, T. A. (2008). Principles of experience-dependent neural plasticity. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 51(1), S225–S239.

7. Linehan, M. (1993). Skills Training Manual for Treating Borderline Personality Disorder. Guilford Press.

8. Beck, J. S. (2011). Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Basics and Beyond. Guilford Press.

9. Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (2012). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change. Guilford Press.