The present study addresses the issue of age differences in 5 personality domains across the life span in a cross-sectional study. In contrast to most previous studies, the present study follows a methodologically more rigorous approach to warrant that age-related differences in personality structure and mean level can be meaningfully compared. It…

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…

In a response to comments by P. T. Costa, Jr., and R. R. McCrae on the current authors' original article, the authors show that Costa and McCrae's writings on personality suggest a belief in immutability of personality traits. The authors agree with Costa and McCrae that new personality trait models that provide an accurate lower order structure…

The study selected as a choice point the return to the University of Oregon of women who had been away from education for at least four years. The youngest woman was 25 and the oldest, 53. Control subjects of similar ages were also tested. The instruments used were the Buhler-Coleman Life Goals Inventory, Vincent's Personal Events Time Scale, and…

The invariance of factor structures in the Guilford Zimmerman Temperament Survey is clearly evident. Basic personality structure appears little affected by social and historical change. Results favor the stability model for objectively measured personality traits in adult males. (JAC)

Studied sex role self-concept and convergence of sex roles in later life. Young, middle-aged, and older adults rated themselves on Bem Sex Role Inventory items, describing themselves at age 20, 45, and 70. Both men and women evidenced high masculine self descriptions related to middle age. (Author/JAC)

This study compared the MMPI profiles of law offenders (N=362) at different ages to examine personality changes associated with aging and to assess certain clinically derived impressions about patterns of personality disturbance in older vs. younger offenders. The greater the age difference between groups, the larger were the personality…

Findings are interpreted in the framework of adolescent egocentrism and discussed both in terms of their implications for the study of adolescent socialization and the study of perceived age changes. (Authors)

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…

Children in grades 1, 3, and 6 were asked to make judgments of their personal identity after three hypothetical transformations: self-other, personal continuity-past, and personal continuity-future. Repsonses were rated on an internal/external dimension. (Author/SS)

Personality stability and change in sibling status in the one- and two-child-family are examined in this Study. Q-sort data were analyzed for the same 33 male and 34 female subjects during four periods of their lives-- early and late adolescence and early and middle adulthood. Results indicate that stability of personality was greatest during…

This paper examines various psychosocial studies which indicate that males undergo personality change in middle adulthood. The nature of changes in social, personal and life patterns are described. Presented at American Psychological Association, New Orleans, 1974. (SJL)

The 16 PF was administered to 105 females and 113 males who entered the work force after leaving high school and 177 females and 178 males who entered college immediately after graduation. Three kinds of results were observed; (a) a set of selective traits that differentiated the college and work groups initially; (b) changes in certain…

Changes in political and social attitudes during college were studied for 303 Ivy League students in their freshman and senior years. Seniors scored higher on measures of liberalism, social conscience, tolerance of homosexuality, and feminist attitudes; they scored lower on male-dominant attitudes. Of particular interest is the increased tolerance…

The purpose of this article is to provide a foundation for the development of evidence-based guidelines for the assessment of personality disorders, focusing in particular on integrated assessment strategies. The general strategy recommended herein is to first administer a self-report inventory to alert oneself to the potential presence of…