Personality trait stability and change

Marie Hennecke,Jenny Wagner,Maike Luhmann,Brent W. Roberts,Wiebke Bleidorn,Johannes Zimmermann,Markus Jokela,Christian Kandler,Mitja D. Back,Richard E. Lucas,Jaap J. A. Denissen,Ulrich Orth,Cornelia Wrzus,Patrick L. Hill,Christopher J. Hopwood

doi:10.5964/ps.6009

Abstract

Personality traits continue to change throughout the lifespan. However, we still know little about when, why, and how personality traits change. In this paper, we review the current state of scientific evidence regarding the nature, sources, and processes of personality trait stability and change. We revisit past disputes over the relative importance of genetic and environmental influences, discuss studies on life events and personality trait development, and summarize theory and research on personality change processes. In doing so, we derive general principles of personality trait development, highlight limitations of past research, and present the broad outlines for future research on personality trait development, with a particular emphasis on relevant methodological issues and conceptual challenges.

Highlights

Personality traits continue to change throughout the lifespan
We review research on the lifespan development of personality traits, highlight open questions, and present the outlines for a novel framework for studying personality development that aims to address the gaps identified in the literature, with a particular emphasis on relevant methodological complexities and conceptual challenges
Over the past few decades, research on personality trait development has pushed the field towards a better understanding of traits as both moderately stable and malleable constructs that can and do change across the lifespan and in response to certain expe riences

Summary

Introduction

Personality traits continue to change throughout the lifespan. we still know little about when, why, and how personality traits change. We derive general principles of personality trait development, highlight limitations of past research, and present the broad outlines. There now is robust evidence that personality traits are dynamic characteristics that continue to change across the lifespan. We review research on the lifespan development of personality traits, highlight open questions, and present the outlines for a novel framework for studying personality development that aims to address the gaps identified in the literature, with a particular emphasis on relevant methodological complexities and conceptual challenges.

Objectives

Conclusion