121 Research essay- Personality Change Over Time PDF

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This is the Essay I wrote for the Psych 121 research essay assignment. Overall, this received a very high mark and had little to no down-falls in terms of content, however, I did get roasted on my formatting and APA adherence. Use it with this in mind...

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Personality Stability and Change Over Time

Personality Stability and Change Over Time, and the Role of Genetics and Environmental Factors. Jackson Leavold

Personality Stability and Change Over Time

Personality Stability and Change Over Time, and the Role of Genetics and Environmental Factors. The human brain is a complex structure and there are a multitude of factors that influence its development and progression. The brains development in terms of personality and evolution is key to understating how humanity has developed over time. Personality traits relate to a myriad of factors but is best described as non-physical characteristics of an individual (including emotions or psychological behaviour) that defines or differentiates an individual from another (Funder, 2013). The two main factors that influence the brains development over time are; the genetic influences, being internal factors effecting personality that are inherited and environmental influences, extrinsic factors such as social setting/development that ultimately affect the personality of an individual (Hopwood., et al, 2011). For many years researchers have been trying to examine the development of personality from infancy/youth to adulthood and in what ways endogenic and exogenic factors influence us as we age. Furthermore, personality development can be separated into three age groups; 0-18, 18-30, 30-onwards (Arnett, 2000). There has been spirited debate as to how much of a role genetic and environmental personality traits influence personality in respect to these periods of growth (Bleidorn, Kandler Reimann, Angleitner, & Spinath, 2012). From observing the research done in recent years, conclusions can be drawn as to what role the environment and genetics play and what extent these factors effect personality trait development over time. Moreover, there is evidence to suggest that both factors influence personality at different times and work in unison to create uniqueness in all individuals therefore meaning that personalities must change over time. Infancy and preschool years are known as being some of the most influential years for personality development (Anderson, Handley & Hurley, 1955), with the early adolescent years also playing a significant role in personality stability and change. It is well known that

Personality Stability and Change Over Time

during infancy and the very early childhood that endogenic factors contribute heavily to personality development (Freud, 1908), however this does not conclude as to whether personality changes over time, it only provides a basis for further research as to what role genetics play in early-developmental psychology. (Briley & Tucker-Drob, 2014) Investigated this area of personality stability from infancy to adulthood by compiling 152 longitudinal studies. The results of this study were inconsistent with some previous research (Ferguson, 2010) however their meta-analysis study should be given substantial weight due to it’s size and therefore reliability in results. (Briley & Tucker-Drob, 2014) Found that genetic factors encourage stability in personality across ones’ lifespan, and this accounts for why there is a slump in personality development in early childhood, as exogenic influences are limited during this period. Furthermore, drawing from the respective study the conclusion can be drawn that genetics play more of a static role in personality development and the environment plays a substantial role in changing ones’ personality (Briley & Tucker-Drob, 2014). This is most likely why (Elkins, Kassenboehmer & Schurer, 2017) found that those who experienced severe trauma (ie: death of family) in adolescence do not necessarily become more emotionally unstable than those who did not. This is most likely because environmental or social forces play less of a role in dictating adolescent actions meaning the personality is rather kept relatively stable by genetics (Borghuis., et at 2017). This evidence would therefore suggest that there are components of our personalities that remain constant due to genetic influences (Roberts & DelVecchio, 2000), however (Briley & Tucker-Drob, 2014) goes further and suggests that although genetics contribute to static personality in early years, it is social norms and other endogenic factors play a role in changing the personality in later years of life as the need for stability and mature personalities come to the forefront of individual and group necessities (Roberts, Walton & Viechtbauer, 2006).

Personality Stability and Change Over Time

Therefore, one of the main arguments towards suggesting that personalities changing over time is that humans tend to develop more mature and stable personalities as they move into adulthood (Hopwood., et al, 2011). To adequately analyse this hypothesis, it is important to understand that the transition into adulthood takes time (18-30 years old) as much of the sexual and identity development of an individual occurs gradually gaining more responsibilities, with the 30’s being the bench mark for personality adulthood (Hopwood., et al 2011; Arnett, 2004; Rindfuss, 1991; Roberts, Walton & Viechtbauer, 2006). (Hopwood., et al) Furthermore explores the respective age period and draws conclusions as to whether genetics or environmental factors play more of a role. The study was conducted on 626 pairs of identical twins (mean age of 17) who completed a 198-question personality questionnaire and were again assessed at the average ages of 24 and 29. The researchers observed that unique/different environmental influences caused differences in the twins personalities, making them more stable (mature) suggesting that individuals begin making choices that encourage stability in later life at the average age of 24 (Hopwood., et al, 2011). From observing the differences in twin personalities in contrasting shared and unique social settings, one could conclude that environmental factors play a more of a role in developing more mature and stable personalities. This is because societal factors such as work and love (Hopwood., et al, 2011) begin to dominate everyday life meaning that people must develop more conscientious and stable personalities to ensure social stability suggesting that there are additional extrinsic factors that require us to seek more mature environments (Roberts, Walton & Viechtbauer, 2006; Briley & Tucker-Drob, 2014). Furthermore, during the ages of 18-30 environmental factors play more of a role in the development of personality which reinforces the ideology that personalities do change over time. The shift from endogenic to exogenic due to influences such as; increased need for romantic attachment, financial stability and reproduction after reaching adulthood is indicative that personalities must

Personality Stability and Change Over Time

change. Although, genetics play a constant role in personality stability (Roberts, Walton & Viechtbauer, 2006) it becomes clear from observing the research done in relation to adulthood that personalities are in a constant state of change due to environmental factors. Some arguments have been put forth which suggest that these personality changes are a result of endogenic factors that influence our need to reproduce and create desirable living environments as our inherent human condition to reproduce pushes us rather than personality (Costa & McCrae, 2006, 1992; Rowe, 2013). With (Costa & McCrae, 1992) claiming that after the age of 30 there is little to no observable or measurable change in personality occurring. However, this is in stark contrast to more recent research put forth (specifically in response to Costa & McCrae’s claim) in (Roberts, Walton & Viechtbauer, 2006). The report furthermore, basis it’s analysis on Meta-Data which the researchers accept is not perfect but should be taken in higher consideration than the single longitudinal study put forth by Costa & McCrae. This is not to say that there is no truth behind the claims that Costa & McCrae are making but there is substantially more evidence to suggest that personalities do change over time from an analysis of the alternative Meta-Data. Furthermore, (Roberts, Walton & Viechtbauer, 2006) from reviewing their results in contrast to the longitudinal study they are still willing to stand by their evidence which provides that the environment plays a substantial role in personality after the age of 30 therefore meaning that the personality does not remain static at this time as exogenic factors continue to present themselves and force individuals to develop their personalities (Harris, Brett, Johnson & Deary, 2016). Moreover, there is substantial, empirical and conclusive evidence which suggests that personalities are in a constant state of change (Roberts, Walton & Viechtbauer 2006; Hopwood., et al, 2011; Briley & Tucker-Drob, 2014). Although there is some evidence which suggests that genetic factors play a more static role in personality development (Borghuis., et al, 2017) both genetic and

Personality Stability and Change Over Time

environmental influences work harmoniously to develop as without genetics maintaining internal stability environmental factors would not be able to alter personality traits. Moreover, both genetic and environmental factors play key roles in the development of human personalities and it is how these factors interact that causes the personality to change over time. During infancy and adolescence genetics cause the personality to remain stable as there are less social forces at play requiring different personality expressions to be unnecessary. Alternatively, during early adulthood to the age of 30, endogenic factors begin to govern personality expressions as social forces begin to play more of an influential role in adult life causing the need for stability through maturity. The results of these studies are crucial to understanding how society functions as our personalities are in a constant dynamic relationship with the social forces at play, and by understanding how our personalities change it allows us to gain a better understanding of ourselves and society as a whole. Furthermore, from the research conducted the conclusion can be drawn that personalities to not remain static but change over time as a result of the intrinsically and dynamic relationship between genetic and environmental forces.

Personality Stability and Change Over Time

Refences: Anderson, H. H., Hanley, C., Hurley, J. R., (1955). Personality Development in Infancy and the Preschool Years. 25(5), 453-468. https://doiorg.ezproxy.uow.edu.au/10.3102/00346543025005453. Arnett, J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American Psychologist, 55, 469– 480. doi:10.1037/0003066X.55.5.469. Arnett, J. J. (2004). Emerging adulthood: The winding road from the late teens through the twenties. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Borghuis, J., Denissen, J. J. A., Oberski, D., Sijsma, K., Meeus, W. H. J., Branje, S., … Bleidorn, W. (2017). Big Five Personality Stability, Change, and Codevlopment Across Adolescence and Early Adulthood. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 113(4), 641-657. Briley, D. A., & Tucker-Drob, E. M. (2012). Broad bandwidth or high fidelity? Evidence from the structure of genetic and environmental effects on the facets of the five factor model. Behavior Genetics, 42, 743–763. doi:10.1007/s10519-012-9548-8. Costa, P. T., Jr., & McCrae, R. R. (1992). Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI–R) and NEO Five-Factor Inventory: Professional manual. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources. Costa, P. T., Jr., & McCrae, R. R. (2006). Age changes in personality and their origins: Comment on Roberts, Walton, and Viechtbauer (2006). Psychological Bulletin, 132, 26–28. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.132.1.26. Elkins, R. K., Schurer, S., Kassenboehmer S. C. (2017). The Stability of Personality in adolescence and adulthood. Journal of Economic Psychology, 60, 37-52. Funder D. C. (2013). The Personality Puzzle (6th ed.). New York, NY: Norton. Freud, S. (1959). Character and anal eroticism. In J. Strachey (Ed. & Trans.), The standard edition of the complete psychological works of Sigmund Freud. London, England: Hogarth Press, 9, 169–175. (Original work published 1908). Harris, M. A., Brett, C. E., Johnson, W., & Deary, I. J. (2016). Personality Stability from age 14 to 77 years. American Psychology Association, 31(8), 862-874. Hopwood, C. J., Donnellan, M. B., Blonigen, D. M., Krueger, R. F., McGue, M., Iacono, W. G., & Burt, S. A. (2011). Genetic Influences on Personality Trait Stability and Growth During the Transition into Adulthood: A Three-wave Longitudinal Study. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 100(3), 545, 556. Roberts, B. W., & DelVecchio, W. F., (2000). The Rank Order Consistency of Personality Traits from Childhood to old age: A Quantitative Review of Longitudinal Studies. Psychology Bulletin 126(1), 3-25.

Personality Stability and Change Over Time

Roberts, B. W., Walton, K. E., & Viechtbauer, W. (2006). Patterns of mean-level change in personality traits across the life course: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Psychological Bulletin, 132, 1–25. doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.132.1.1 Roberts, B. W., Walton, K. E., & Viechtbauer, W. (2006). Personality Traits Change in Adulthood: Reply to Costa and McCrae (2006). Psychology Bulletin, 132(1), 29-32....