The Role of Theory in Personality Research
Year: 2025
Type: preprint
Abstract: In personality psychology, theory provides the conceptual scaffolding needed to understand the origins, development, and functioning of individual differences. Without theory, personality research risks becoming a catalog of findings rather than a cumulative science. This chapter examines the critical role of theory in personality research. I begin by outlining three essential components of a strong theory, as recently articulated by Eronen and Bringmann (2021). Using personality trait development as a focal area, I then assess the current state of theory-building in light of these criteria. This evaluation highlights both the progress achieved and the challenges that remain, offering insights into the core question: What does it take to develop strong, testable, and meaningful psychological theories in personality science?
Author: Wiebke Bleidorn
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W4413444385