W10.b

Question 1

What is individual (differences in personality) change?

Answer 1

Refers to the gains or losses in absolute levels of a personality trait that each individual experiences over time.

(These are changes that deviate from the population mean-level pattern of change. )

Question 2

Ways to find individual differences in personality change?

Answer 2

Test whether there are people who change more than expected.

Test whether life experiences are associated with changes in personality traits.

Modest changes in personality traits can result in profound consequences.

Question 3

Important consequences for individual change

Answer 3

Health is mediated by changes in “health promoting behaviours”

• Conscientiousness predicts health
• Neuroticism predicts mortality

Question 4

How are life experiences associated with changes in personality traits?

Answer 4

Transition to work: Personality predicted positive work experiences (occupational attainment and financial security); positive work experiences also predicted changes in personality (E+, N-)
Individual change might or might not lead to mean-level change, if you average them.

Travel (different types)

Clinical interventions (non-linear impact)

Question 5

Do we (knowingly or unknowingly) change our personalities in anticipation of life events?

Answer 5

Most personality change effects were in anticipation of a major life event.
E.g., Transition to work: +C & O prior to employment

Question 6

What is “Free traits”; “Personal Projects” and “Distribution Density Hypothesis”?

Answer 6

From acting ‘out of character’, to resolving to become more social/kind/disciplined etc.

Traits are ‘merely’ distributions of states
Introverts often act extraverted, etc.

Question 7

Can we choose to change?

Answer 7

We change our personality states to pursue goals.

Volitional personality change (psycho-social maturity?):
People want to change
People change as desired

Question 8

How did people change? Two ways

Answer 8

Counter-dispositional behaviour (fake it until you make it):
Goals –> personality states –> change in traits
(For E, A and N only)

Personal identity (self-describing first):
Goals --> change in traits --> personality states
(For E, C and N only)

NB: No mediators identified for changes in openness