The present study used meta-analytic techniques (number of samples = 92) to determine the patterns of mean-level change in personality traits across the life course. Results showed that people increase in measures of social dominance (a facet of extraversion), conscientiousness, and emotional stability, especially in young adulthood (age 20 to…

This study investigated the long-term stability of the nine temperament subcategories which underlie the Thomas and Chess temperament clusters. A homogeneous sample of 55 children and parents was recruited (26 remained at the final data collection interval) and parents provided questionnaire responses on their child's temperament at 2, 4, 6, 18,…

In this longitudinal study, 60 mothers rated their toddler's personality traits concerning social relations and exploration of the physical and social world. Data showed that mothers of toddlers from older cohorts were more likely to have stable and consistent, but not more negative, perceptions of their child's personality over six months than…