At the beginning of the game, Squall is often percieved as being careless and insensitive. Why? Because it's just easier for him that way. He's trying so hard not to depend on anyone that he ends up turning himself into a whole different person. A less sociable person who's biggest priority is to follow the orders he's given. Of course, this section is not the analysis of why he does what he does, but of how and why he changes.

Through-out the middle of the game, he changes in very subtle ways that wouldn't be too noticable unless you knew him fairly well. The most obvious difference is probably the fact that he talks more. He's a little bit more sociable, and he voices his opinion without being asked to every now and then. He also shows his feelings a little bit. Disc 2, for example, when they find out that they have to fight Matron (Edea, who cared for them at the orphanage), Squall is asked to give a speech to all of Garden. He states that HE doesn't want to look back and regret that day, which emplys that he doesn't want to fight but feels that he has to or else he will regret his decision, thus sharing HIS feelings. Aswell as all that, during the middle part of the game, Squall is unknowingly learning to rely on his companions bit by bit.

The differences in Squall's personality are the biggest and most obvious at the end of the game. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to see the ways he's changed, but I'll point them out anyway. First and foremost, that little trust issue that Squall struggled with for most of the game no longer exists. He has learnt that life is much better when you have friends to share it with, and calls out to them to teach him how to depend on others (end of disc 4, after you win the final battle). He's also much more open with his feelings, especially when they concern Rinoa. In the end he's a lot happier aswell.