When Do Individual Differences Matter? A Paradoxical Theory of Personality Coherence
Abstract
We propose that individual differences in personality should be studied during periods of environmental change because these periods provide an opportunity to discern the general mechanisms that govern the functions and processes of personality. We delineate the circumstances wherein personality differences are accentuated and then specify the conditions whereby change is produced. Personality differences are likely to be revealed during transitions into unpredictable new situations, when there is a press to behave but no information about how to behave adaptively. Dispositional differences are thus accentuated as each person seeks to transform novel, ambiguous, and uncertain circumstances into familiar, clear, and expectable social encounters. Our theory also accounts for turning points in behavioral development: Systematic change is likely to occur during transitions into new situations, when there is a press to behave and when previous responses are actively discouraged while clear information is provided about how to behave adaptively.
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Life events involving clearly defined and unambiguous sets of behavioral, cognitive, or emotional demands are most likely to lead to enduring personality changes.
“Theory and research suggests that those life events that involve clearly defined and unambiguous sets of behavioral, cognitive, or emotional demands are most likely to lead to enduring personality changes”
From Life Events and Personality Trait Change. (2018) · cites this paper as Caspi & Moffitt, 1993
Cites
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“…could occur because of methodological factors, such as differential attrition (i.e., more extreme members of a panel study are perhaps more likely to be missing data at a given wave) or for substantive reasons, such as the accentuation of individual differences (e.g. Caspi & Moffitt, 1993).”
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“Individuals cope with traumatic experiences in different ways, and in periods of uncertainty and environmental change, the role of personality differences becomes more evident (11, 12).”
Background
- Authors
- Caspi, A., & Moffitt, T. E.
- Affiliations
- University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
- Venue
- Psychological Inquiry
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 1993-10
- Volume
- 4
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 247-271
- ISSN
- 1047-840X (ISSN-L)
- 1532-7965
- OpenAlex
- W2114148841
- Cited by
- 449
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 22 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 29 · 2021: 27 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 18 · 2013: 19 · 2012: 19
- FWCI
- 7.02
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychological Inquiry (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Disorders and Psychopathology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Psychological Testing and Assessment
- Keywords
- personality coherence, personality differences, environmental change, personality development, uncertainty, behavioral development, personality change, adaptive behavior
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