Work

Personality Trait Change in Adulthood

Year: 2008

Type: article

Abstract: Recent longitudinal and cross-sectional aging research has shown that personality traits continue to change in adulthood. In this article, we review the evidence for mean-level change in personality traits, as well as for individual differences in change across the life span. In terms of mean-level change, people show increased selfconfidence, warmth, self-control, and emotional stability with age. These changes predominate in young adulthood (age 20-40). Moreover, mean-level change in personality traits occurs in middle and old age, showing that personality traits can change at any age. In terms of individual differences in personality change, people demonstrate unique patterns of development at all stages of the life course, and these patterns appear to be the result of specific life experiences that pertain to a person's stage of life.

Source: Current Directions in Psychological Science

DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8721.2008.00543.x

Authors: Brent W. Roberts, Daniel Mroczek

Institutions: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Purdue University West Lafayette

Language: English

Topic: Personality Traits and Psychology

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute on Aging

Awards: Personality and Well-being Trajectories in Adulthood, Longitudinal Studies of Conscientiousness and Health