PSYC 383 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Longitudinal Study, Trait Theory, Extraversion And Introversion
9 Jul 2016
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Chapter 4
DEVELOPMENTAL CHANGE AND STABILITY OF PERSONALITY
Personality trait - tendencies to show a pattern of related behaviours, thoughts, feelings
differences among people tend to be stable across fairly long periods of time
enduring dispositions, not temporary states
Personality change—2 Questions:
Do people show similar patterns of development in personality trait levels?
people in general tend to show consistent trait changes across their lives?
typical “path”
ex. excitement seeking (increase during adolescence/early adulthood and
gradual decline in middle/old age)
large group of people born at ~same time, observed at various points in life —>
will there be sig changes in average level of one personality trait?
Do people tend to remain stable in their levels of some personality trait,
relative to other people of the same age cohort?
aka individual’s relative levels remain consistent?
ex. Bob was highest in the group in excitement seeking when he was teen, will
he also be highest in the group when he is old?
ex. Height
1. people’s height change across life span? Yes
2. People’s height remain stable in relation to that of other people of same age?
Yes (to some extent)
4.2: DEVELOPMENTAL CHANGES IN MEAN LEVELS OF PERSONALITY TRAITS
Longitudinal research studies:
assess personality trait levels of some group of persons (~similar ages) on two or
more occasions, many years apart
compare average levels across different time periods
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Roberts et al. — longitudinal research based on results of > 90 diff studies
average levels of Conscientiousness, Emotional Stability, assertiveness
(Extraversion) tend to increase
~1 SD from 15yo to 60yo
Agreeableness — small increase, moderate increase during middle age
sociability and liveliness (Extraversion) — slight decrease during sound
adulthood, further slight decrease toward end of middle age (60s)
Openness to Experience — moderate increases between adolescence and
young adulthood (~.5 SD), stable through adulthood, modest decline during
late middle age (60s)
OVERALL:
people develop greater maturity as they age (C, E) — better impulse
control, steadier behaviours
changes in hormones/neurotransmitters
important events/changes in social roles
social investment hypotheses—greater sense of purpose in life people
develop after becoming fully integrated into adult world
increase O in young adults—exposure to new people and ideas
slight decrease in later middle age in sociable/liveliness and O—
decrease in physical health
no strong trend for personal growth (O, X)
4.3 STABILITY ACROSS A PERIOD OF SEVERAL YEARS DURING ADULTHOOD
Stability during adulthood:
Costa & McCrae
Document Summary
Personality trait - tendencies to show a pattern of related behaviours, thoughts, feelings differences among people tend to be stable across fairly long periods of time enduring dispositions, not temporary states. Do people tend to remain stable in their levels of some personality trait, relative to other people of the same age cohort? aka individual"s relative levels remain consistent? ex. Bob was highest in the group in excitement seeking when he was teen, will he also be highest in the group when he is old? ex. 4. 2: developmental changes in mean levels of personality traits. Longitudinal research studies: assess personality trait levels of some group of persons (~similar ages) on two or more occasions, many years apart compare average levels across different time periods. Longitudinal research based on results of > 90 diff studies average levels of conscientiousness, emotional stability, assertiveness (extraversion) tend to increase.
