The Behavioural Genetics of Personality Development in Adulthood—Classic, Contemporary, and Future Trends

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 244-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wiebke Bleidorn ◽  
Christian Kandler ◽  
Avshalom Caspi
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Personality Development ◽  
Environmental Influences ◽  
Genetic Research ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Genetic Studies ◽  
Personality Psychology ◽  
Stability And Change ◽  
Personality Stability

Behavioural genetic research has led to important advances in the field of personality psychology. When carried out on longitudinal data, behavioural genetic studies also offer promising ways to examine the genetic and environmental origins of personality stability and change. Here, we review the findings of longitudinal twin studies, discuss their implications for our understanding of adult personality development, and point out open questions that need to be addressed by future research. Three general conclusions stand out. First, there is a strong and relatively stable genetic foundation of individual differences in personality throughout the adult life span; second, environmental influences become more important and contribute to an increasing rank–order stability of personality traits from early to middle adulthood; and third, both genetic and nonshared environmental influences contribute to both stability and change in personality traits. Equipped with this knowledge, the most urgent tasks for the next generation of behavioural genetic studies on personality development will be to (i) identify measurable environmental factors that matter and (ii) to capture the interplay between genetic and environmental influences on personality stability and change throughout adulthood. Copyright © 2014 European Association of Personality Psychology

scholarly journals Observed positive parenting behaviors and youth genotype: Evidence for gene–environment correlations and moderation by parent personality traits

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline W. Oppenheimer ◽  
Benjamin L. Hankin ◽  
Jessica L. Jenness ◽  
Jami F. Young ◽  
Andrew Smolen
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Child Outcomes ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Genetic Research ◽  
Parenting Behaviors ◽  
Positive Parenting ◽  
Genetic Studies ◽  
Gene Environment ◽  
Parent Personality

AbstractGene–environment correlations (rGE) have been demonstrated in behavioral genetic studies, but rGE have proven elusive in molecular genetic research. Significant gene–environment correlations may be difficult to detect because potential moderators could reduce correlations between measured genetic variants and the environment. Molecular genetic studies investigating moderated rGE are lacking. This study examined associations between child catechol-O-methyltransferase genotype and aspects of positive parenting (responsiveness and warmth), and whether these associations were moderated by parental personality traits (neuroticism and extraversion) among a general community sample of third, sixth, and ninth graders (N = 263) and their parents. Results showed that parent personality traits moderated the rGE association between youths' genotype and coded observations of positive parenting. Parents with low levels of neuroticism and high levels of extraversion exhibited greater sensitive responsiveness and warmth, respectively, to youth with the valine/valine genotype. Moreover, youth with this genotype exhibited lower levels of observed anger. There was no association between the catechol-O-methyltransferase genotype and parenting behaviors for parents high on neuroticism and low on extraversion. Findings highlight the importance of considering moderating variables that may influence child genetic effects on the rearing environment. Implications for developmental models of maladaptive and adaptive child outcomes, and interventions for psychopathology, are discussed within a developmental psychopathology framework.

scholarly journals Personality and Psychopathology: A Stagnant Field in Need of Development

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 362-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Emily Durbin ◽  
Brian M. Hicks
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Psychopathology ◽  
Personality Development ◽  
Personality Change ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Personality Psychology ◽  
Causal Processes ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Dominant Paradigm ◽  
Spectrum Model

A dominant paradigm in psychopathology research proposes that individual differences in personality are centrally involved in the origins and manifestations of psychopathology, and structural models of personality and psychopathology have been extremely useful in helping to organize associations among many traits and disorders. However, these models merely describe patterns of covariation; they do not explain the processes by which these patterns emerge. We argue that the field is stagnated, as it is overly focused on the demonstration of concurrent associations and on confirming a spectrum model that proposes traits and disorders are manifestations of the same underlying constructs. We contend that if the field is to move towards an understanding of causal processes, it must integrate knowledge and principles of personality development and developmental psychopathology. To begin this integration, we review (i) normative trends in personality change, (ii) age–related changes in the prevalence of disorders, and (iii) the impact of onset and chronicity on the severity of disorders. We propose several developmental processes that may contribute to the co–development of personality and psychopathology. We then present novel empirical findings to illustrate how a developmental perspective on traits and disorders can inform new hypotheses and propose principles and hypotheses that should guide future research. Copyright © 2014 European Association of Personality Psychology

scholarly journals Are All Kids Alike? The Magnitude of Individual Differences in Personality Characteristics Tends to Increase from Early Childhood to Early Adolescence

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
René Mõttus ◽  
Christopher J. Soto ◽  
Helena R. Slobodskaya ◽  
Mitja Back
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Early Adolescence ◽  
Personality Development ◽  
General Pattern ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Personality Psychology ◽  
The Usa

Do individual differences in personality traits become more or less pronounced over childhood and adolescence? The present research examined age differences in the variance of a range of personality traits, using parent reports of two large samples of children from predominantly the USA and Russia, respectively. Results indicate (i) that individual differences in most traits tend to increase with age from early childhood into early adolescence and then plateau, (ii) that this general pattern of greater personality variance at older childhood age is consistent across the two countries, and (iii) that this pattern is not an artefact of age differences in means or floor/ceiling effects. These findings are consistent with several (noncontradictory) developmental mechanisms, including youths’ expanding behavioural capacities and person–environment transactions (corresponsive principle). However, these mechanisms may predominantly characterize periods before adolescence, or they may be offset by countervailing processes, such as socialization pressure towards a mature personality profile, in late adolescence and adulthood. Finally, the findings also suggest that interpreting age trajectories in mean trait scores as pertaining to age differences in a typical person may sometimes be misleading. Investigating variance should become an integral part of studying personality development. Copyright © 2017 European Association of Personality Psychology

How Peers Make a Difference: The Role of Peer Groups and Peer Relationships in Personality Development

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 279-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne K. Reitz ◽  
Julia Zimmermann ◽  
Roos Hutteman ◽  
Jule Specht ◽  
Franz J. Neyer
Keyword(s):  
Peer Relationships ◽  
Peer Group ◽  
Personality Development ◽  
Peer Groups ◽  
Developmental Differences ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Peer Relationship ◽  
Personality Psychology ◽  
Clear Cut

Peers are a pervasive aspect of people's lives, but their role in personality development has rarely been considered. This is surprising, given that peers are promising candidates to explain personality development over the entire lifespan. Owing to the lack of clear–cut definitions of peers, we first elaborate on their defining criteria and functions in different life phases. We then discuss the role of peers in personality development across the lifespan. We advocate that an integration of social group perspectives and social relationship perspectives is essential to understand peer effects on personality development. Group socialization theory is particularly suited to explain developmental differences between groups as a result of group norms. However, it is blind towards differences in development within peer groups. In contrast, the PERSOC framework is particularly suited to explain individual differences in development within groups as a result of specific dyadic peer–relationship experiences. We propose that a conjunct consideration of peer–group effects and dyadic peer–relationship effects can advance the general understanding of personality development. We discuss examples for a cross–fertilization of the two frameworks that suggest avenues for future research. Copyright © 2014 European Association of Personality Psychology

scholarly journals Aetiological Influences on Stability and Change in Emotional and Behavioural Problems across Development: A Systematic Review

2016 ◽  
Vol a4 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.J. Hannigan ◽  
N. Walaker ◽  
M.A. Waszczuk ◽  
T.A. McAdams ◽  
T.C. Eley
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Adolescent Psychopathology ◽  
Behavioural Problems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Emotional And Behavioural Problems ◽  
Genetic Studies ◽  
Stability And Change ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors

Emotional and behavioural problems in childhood and adolescence can be chronic and are predictive of future psychiatric problems. Understanding what factors drive the development and maintenance of these problems is therefore crucial. Longitudinal behavioural genetic studies using twin, sibling or adoption data can be used to explore the developmental aetiology of stability and change in childhood and adolescent psychopathology. We present a systematic review of longitudinal, behavioural genetic analyses of emotional and behavioural problems between ages 0 to 18 years. We identified 58 studies, of which 19 examined emotional problems, 30 examined behavioural problems, and 9 examined both. In the majority of studies, stability in emotional and behavioural problems was primarily genetically influenced. Stable environmental factors were also widely found, although these typically played a smaller role. Both genetic and environmental factors were involved in change across development. We discuss the findings in the context of the wider developmental literature and make recommendations for future research.

What Drives Adult Personality Development? A Comparison of Theoretical Perspectives and Empirical Evidence

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 216-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jule Specht ◽  
Wiebke Bleidorn ◽  
Jaap J. A. Denissen ◽  
Marie Hennecke ◽  
Roos Hutteman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Personality Development ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Personality Psychology ◽  
Adult Personality ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Comprehensive Framework

Increasing numbers of empirical studies provide compelling evidence that personality traits change across the entire lifespan. What initiates this continuing personality development and how does this development proceed? In this paper, we compare six theoretical perspectives that offer testable predictions about why personality develops the way it does and identify limitations and potentials of these perspectives by reviewing how they hold up against the empirical evidence. While all of these perspectives have received some empirical support, there is only little direct evidence for propositions put forward by the five–factor theory of personality and the theory of genotype → environment effects. In contrast, the neo–socioanalytic theory appears to offer a comprehensive framework that fits the empirical findings and allows the integration of other, more specialized, perspectives that focus on specific aspects of personality development like the role of time, systematic differences between categories of social roles or the active partake of the person himself or herself. We draw conclusions on the likely driving factors for adult personality development and identify avenues for future research. Copyright © 2014 European Association of Personality Psychology

scholarly journals Self and identity in personality psychology

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan P. McAdams ◽  
Kali Trzesniewski ◽  
Jennifer Lilgendahl ◽  
Veronica Benet-Martinez ◽  
Richard W. Robins
Keyword(s):  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Personality Development ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Environments ◽  
Personality Psychology ◽  
Self Identity ◽  
Identity Processes ◽  
The Social ◽  
Self And Identity

Research on self and identity has greatly enhanced personality science by directing inquiry more deeply into the person’s conscious mind and more expansively outward into the social environments that contextualize individual differences in behavior, thought, and feeling. After delineating key concepts and offering reasons why personality psychologists should care about self and identity processes, we highlight important empirical discoveries that are of special relevance to personality science in the areas of (1) self-insight, (2) self-conscious emotions, (3) self-esteem, (4) narrative identity, and (5) the role of culture in shaping self, identity, and the integration of personality. We anticipate that future research will also move vigorously to (1) develop more comprehensive and precise accounts of how life experiences influence the development of self and identity, (2) explore more fully how the brain builds a sense of self, and (3) harness what we know about self and identity to improve people’s lives and promote personality development.

Conclusions

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael W. Pratt ◽  
M. Kyle Matsuba
Keyword(s):  
Life Story ◽  
Personality Development ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Investment Model ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Investment ◽  
The Social ◽  
Transition Into Adulthood ◽  
The Impact

Chapter 11 summarizes the reviews of evidence and research across the various life domains covered in the previous chapters. It covers all three levels of the McAdams and Pals model of personality, but focuses most intensively on the life story. The authors discuss their preliminary longitudinal work from the Canadian Futures Study sample around a series of issues that have been of interest to the field of personality development, such as the “social investment” model of Roberts and colleagues regarding the impact on personality of the transition into adulthood roles, the relations between earlier family life and the developing adult life story, and the integration of the life story into the broader personality as depicted in the McAdams and Pals model. Finally, the chapter ends with some reflections on directions for future research and theory on personality development in emerging adulthood and beyond.

scholarly journals Towards an Integrative Model of Sources of Personality Stability and Change

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Wagner ◽  
Ulrich Orth ◽  
Wiebke Bleidorn ◽  
Christopher James Hopwood ◽  
Christian Kandler
Keyword(s):  
Integrative Model ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Compelling Evidence ◽  
Stability And Change ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Personality Stability

There is now compelling evidence that people’s typical patterns of thinking, feeling, striving, and behaving are both consistent and malleable. Therefore, researchers have begun to examine the distinct sources of personality stability and change. In this article, we discuss traditional classifications of sources, review key findings, and highlight limitations and open questions in research on personality stability and change. We conclude by describing an integrative model and by outlining important directions for future research.

Achieving practical outcomes from genetic studies of rare Australian plants

2000 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia M. Hogbin ◽  
Rod Peakall ◽  
Marita A. Sydes
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Study ◽  
Genetic Research ◽  
Rare Plants ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Genetic Studies ◽  
Conservation Implications ◽  
Cost Efficient ◽  
Management Recommendations

An increasing number of genetic studies of rare plants are motivated by the potential contribution they can make to the conservation of the species concerned. However, while these studies frequently identify conservation implications, few have demonstrated practical conservation outcomes. In this paper, we criticallyevaluate the practical outcomes of our genetic study of three endangered plant species: Haloragodendron lucasii, Zieria prostrata and Wollemia nobilis. Each genetic study provided a number of conservation implications or management recommendations for the species concerned. However, for three reasons, not all of the implications actually led to practical outcomes. First, similar recommendations were already in place. Second, management recommendations, while sound, were not relevant to the current management priorities. Third, irrespective of the genetic outcome, a given recommendation prevailed as the preferred management option. In order to achieve effective and cost-efficient recovery of threatened flora, we need to identify those cases where genetic studies are likely to produce practical outcomes for conservation management. This may best be achieved by first, assessing and critically evaluating the outcomes of genetic research already conducted, and second, evaluating the potential for practical outcomes of future research by considering the range of possible outcomes in the context of the management options available for the species.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document