Four studies explored developmental changes in attitudes toward boasting. Overall, 5- to 7-year-olds (N = 130) were more likely than 8- to 11-year-olds (N = 126) and adults (N = 263) to view characters who boasted about valued traits as likable. In Study 1, younger children, unlike the older participants, liked and morally valued boasters who were…

Social norms are central to theoretical accounts of longitudinal person-environment transactions. On the one hand, individuals are thought to select themselves into social roles that fit their personality. On the other hand, it is assumed that individuals' personality is transformed by the socializing pressure of norm demands. These 2…

This longitudinal study evaluates age/cohort and sex differences in personality by administering the Cattell 16 Personality Factor Test four times over an eight-year period to 331 men and women who were 54 to 70 years old at the time of the first measurement. (CM)

College students and working youth between the ages of 18 and 21 were approached in public places and asked to volunteer for an interview. A total of 57 participants responded to a semistructured Ego Identity Status Interview and an Ego Identity Incomplete Sentence Blank. (JMB)

Temperament is examined from a longitudinal, within-individual perspective in order to investigate short-term change and patterns of temperament changes. For 100 consectutive days five mothers completed a temperament survey, reporting on their own and their two-year-old children's behavior. Patterns of change were identified for both mothers and…

Examined the role of cognitive mediators in identifying differences in aggression of incarcerated and nonincarcerated male and female adolescents. Found hostile-aggressive individuals more likely to hold beliefs supporting aggression and to be unconcerned about the consequences of violent actions. (SKC)

Children's assessment of the value of different sources of information about psychological traits was investigated among 6- to 7-year-olds and 10- to 11-year-olds across 5 studies (N=330). Older children were more likely than younger children to reject self-report as a source of information about the highly evaluative traits smart and honest, but…

Assessed temperament of newborn twins using comprehensive neonatal exam that focused on irritability, resistance to soothing activity, and reinforcement value. Some infants were later assessed at 9 months. Emotional activity appeared to be core dimension stretching over ages and is discussed in relation to formulations of infant temperament.…

Compares maternal ratings of temperament obtained for 50 preschool children with measures of children's intellectual achievement taken at age four and when children were in second grade. Implies that a child's ability to attend to tasks and modulate behavior may be the best predictor of performance on achievement tests. (Author/DR)

To further understanding of temperament-interaction relationships, patterns of interactive behavior were observed in 30 lower-class mother-infant dyads (15 irritable and 15 nonirritable infants) at monthly intervals over a 6-month period. Findings revealed that maternal behavior was systematically more positive with nonirritable infants that with…

Two components of life orientation emerged in study of 145 men and 142 women at age 26: Positive Orientation (PO), which included self-percepts of personal control over development; and Motivated Questioning (MQ), which consisted of identity exploration and dissatisfaction with present achievements. In comparison with MQ, PO was more strongly…