Is the Child the Father of the Man?

Reaction paper 10: Have You Changed? F Is your personality & ways of thinking, feeling & behaving the same now as it was when you were 10? Why do you think this is?

Theme F Is personality stable over time? –Central for the field of personality psychology F Complicated issue –Different dimensions may be > or < stable –Change may be different at different ages –Different kinds of change & stability & many ways of measuring them

Change F Absolute v. relative –Change but rank order the same (e.g., most N) F Quantitative v. qualitative –Increase on N but no change in functioning –Change in functioning but not numerically F Continuous v. discontinuous –Slope v. staircase model of change A increases slowly over life course v. anxiety abruptly increases following trauma

Continuity: Caspi F Absolute continuity –Constancy in quantity F Differential continuity –Rank order stable, absolute changes F Coherence –Phenotypic but not genotypic change F Ipsative continuity –Structural stability

Evidence of Continuity F Caspi (2000): The Dunedin Study (1972-) –Large, longitudinal study of New Zealand kids –Observed at 3 on cognitive, behavioral DVs Well-adjusted, undercontrolled, inhibited –Up until 21 ratings from teachers, parents, friends, themselves, & state records

Caspi (2000) F Undercontrolled F Externalizing problems F Low constraint & high N F Conflicted interpersonal relationships F More unemployment, psychiatric disorders & legal problems F Criminality, antisocial, alcohol, suicide attempts F Inhibited F Internalizing problems F High on constraint & low on PA F Lower social support F Psychiatric disorders & legal problems –Depression

Caspi (2000)

Caspi (2000): Criminal Offenses

Caspi (2000)

Caspi (2000): Antisocial Do

Caspi (2000): Suicide Attempts

Caspi (2000) F Evidence for stability –Coherence –Differential continuity F Predicting personality and functioning at 21 from age 3 temperament

Activity 14: Evidence for Change? F In groups of 3-4 –Describe Lewis conclusions regarding personality continuity What evidence does he point to that supports his views? What would Caspi say about this? F F PLEASE TURN THESE IN AFTER CLASS!

Knowns F 1. Evidence for continuity & change F 2. Continuity complex F 3. Continuity higher for shorter assessment intervals F 4. Continuity highest for temperament and traits F 5. Depends on type of continuity & methods

Unknowns F Boundary conditions for change & stability F Processes largely unknown –Linked w/ perceptions & genes -> environments F Sociopolitical implications

Miller & CdeBaca F What is quantum change? –Have you had one? –Do you know someone who has? Near death experiences?/ traumatic events? –What might characterize people who have? F Describe methods used here to study QC? –Measures? –Participants? –Procedure?

Quantum Change F What were those who had a QC like? –Describe their experiences and what changes resulted? How did their values change? –What do you think is changing? Is it traits? Temperament? Characteristic adaptations? F How might QC occur? –Which makes the most sense to you?