Chapter 9 - Personality Across the Lifespan Flashcards
What does the study of personality over the lifespan focus on?
Developmental changes in personality from infancy to advanced old age
Most research focuses on older groups, and infant personality is conceptualized differently.
What are some major life events that can influence personality changes?
- Marriage
- Children
- Work
- Retirement
These events can lead to significant changes in an individual’s personality.
What is a longitudinal study in personality research?
A study that follows a group of people as they age
It allows for studying the same individuals at various ages.
What is one advantage of cross-sectional studies?
Takes much less time compared to longitudinal studies
It allows for the control of cultural factors.
What is childhood temperament?
Genetically based behavioral tendencies seen in young children
Examples include restlessness, ease of calming, and adaptability.
How does temperament relate to the Big Five personality traits?
Many models of child temperament overlap with some Big Five traits
By adolescence, personality traits begin to resemble the Big Five structure.
Does childhood temperament predict adult personality?
Yes, childhood temperament factors can reasonably predict personality in early adulthood
For example, temperament at age 4-½ predicted about a third of personality variance at age 18.
What are some changes in the Big Five personality traits during childhood?
- Emotionality declines
- Shyness increases
- Activity declines
Children tend to become more inhibited with age, especially between 4 and 9.
What happens to self-esteem during childhood and adolescence?
- Moderate during elementary school
- Dips during early teen years
- Increases during high school and young adulthood
The decline in self-esteem during middle school is similar for boys and girls.
What changes occur in personality traits from young adulthood to old age?
- Decrease in neuroticism
- Increase in conscientiousness
- Increase in assertiveness
- Increase in openness until age 22, then decline
Personality becomes most stable in the 40s and 50s.
What is quantum change in personality?
A rapid and significant change in personality often related to profound experiences
It can include religious conversion, psychotherapy, or mystical experiences.
What types of experiences can induce quantum change?
- Religious conversion
- Psychotherapy
- Post-traumatic growth
- Mystical experiences
Not all mystical experiences lead to personality change.
How does self-esteem change in adulthood?
- Increases slightly between 20s and 60s
- Decreases after 60s
This pattern may be influenced by generational differences.
What does social investment theory suggest?
Personalities mature as individuals enter important adult social roles
It relates to the maturation of personality traits like conscientiousness and agreeableness.
How does being in a serious relationship affect personality?
Increases conscientiousness and decreases neuroticism
A stable romantic partner can make individuals less neurotic.
What is the impact of parenthood on personality?
Adults with two or more children tend to increase in neuroticism over time
Parenthood may enhance pre-existing sociability tendencies in men.
What does Erikson’s life stage model address?
The development of personality through various life stages
Erik Erikson is known for his influential work in psychoanalysis and developmental psychology.
How do negative and positive life events affect personality?
- Negative experiences increase neuroticism
- Positive experiences decrease neuroticism and increase extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness
Negative experiences have less impact on personality in middle adulthood.
What is post-traumatic growth?
Growth that can occur after major trauma, leading to increased positivity
It can coexist with negative effects like depression.
How does birth order affect personality?
Accounts for about 4% of variance in personality
Its impact is much less significant than genetics.
What is a significant predictor of health and performance?
High conscientiousness
Low neuroticism and high agreeableness are predictors of marital stability.
What are possible directions of influence between personality and life outcomes?
- Personality may cause life outcomes
- Life outcomes may cause personality
- A third variable may cause both
Future discussions will explore personality’s impact on love, work, and health.
