Psychology of Personality Lecture 11 2 29 16 Continued Personality Stability and Change Stephanie Federspiel Ph D The Personality Puzzle Sixth Edition by David C Funder 2013 W W Norton Company Inc 1 Objectives Finish discussing evidence concerning normative development of personality Discuss intentional personality change Which of the following statements about personality development is true a Personality changes very little after age 30 b Rank order stability tends to be high c The mean levels of traits change over time d Both b and c are correct Evidence for Personality Development Findings from Longitudinal studies Similar findings to cross sectional studies maturity principle People become more socially dominant agreeable conscientious and emotionally stable Self esteem up to age 50 ego development Evidence for Personality Development What s special about late childhood early adolescence Soto et al 2011 1 In Adolescence Marked Destabilization C A O that fits storm and stress idea of adolescence Gender differences in N developmental trajectory 5 2016 W W Norton Company Inc 6 7 Evidence for Personality Development What s special about late childhood early adolescence Soto et al 2011 2 In Childhood Highest E b c of high levels of Activity later transformed Some aspects of childhood Activity E Other aspects of childhood Activity C A C are strongly related socialization social relationships are important for personality development in adults and in kids 8 Evidence for Personality Development Classic theories Our trust in the predictability and good intentions love of those who care for us and their support for our personal initiatives ageappropriate activity help provide a healthy foundation for meeting new challenges developing new competencies and developing a positive sense of self 9 The road to a mature healthy personality Relationships influence the psychological resources ABC s we need for success at critical developmental tasks The ABC s of Psych Resources Affect Pos Neg Behaviors Strategies for self regulation social interaction academics Cognitions Self other reps attributional style goals reasons Developmental tasks Behavior control Pos Relationships and Academic achievement Evidence for Personality Development Life History Studies also support maturity principle PLUS early proposals re normative lifespan development From bodily needs short term wishes internalized duties Adolescence search for meaning in life If Pursuit of sex pleasure Generative concerns Subjective decline dissatisfaction in second half Loneliness daydreaming peak in adolescence mid 40s maybe a second identity crisis is common M F diffs in timing intensity re adult stages 11 11 Perception of being on off the social clock matters Other aspects of Personality Development Narrative identity Three aspects actor agent author How a person views his or her life and how its trajectory fits into goals and dreams Themes differ Redemption or Contamination Related to personality Example conscientiousness and agency Other Aspects of Personality Development Goals across the life span When younger preparation for the future When older 70 things that are emotionally meaningful Related to breadth of perspective about time Altered time perspective has Emotional effects L Carstensen Socioemotional Selectivity theory For many people old age is good happy It pays to learn why how Generative behavior generative social obligations and generative self definitions are key ingredients in the recipe for psychological wellness in adulthood Keyes Ryff 1998 Intentional Personality Change Desire for change is typical and usually in the socially desirable direction Reason for wanting change make life better Four potential methods of change Intentinal Personality Change Psychotherapy and psychiatric drugs can produce long term behavior change And changes in traits General interventions usually aimed at important life outcomes in children youth Personality Development and Change Behaviors and life experiences Positive exercise starting college or a job beginning a serious relationship Negative trying drugs onset of chronic disease Becoming unemployed Negative life events Travel Military training Personality Change Targeted interventions address certain personality traits Set realistic specific goals compatible with own values Monitor progress Example Increasing self control Think differently about temptations frustrations Relaxation and mindfulness meditation Structuring environment Personality Change Obstacles to change Not seeing a reason for change Takes effort Blaming negative experiences and failures on external forces People like consistency and predictability We engage in self verification processes Intentional Personality Change Personality Change Beliefs are central to the way in which people package their experiences and carry them forward and that beliefs should play a more central role in the study of personality Carol Dweck Some important beliefs 1 Are attributes fixed stable or changeable 2 Is social acceptance likely 22 Personality Change Entity Theory No change Fixed traits Example of Essentialist thinking Very Likely to believe in ability stereotypes about groups Incremental Theory Development Change happen Effort matters Affect interpretations and behaviors 23 Personality Change Beliefs affect goals Ent Avoid failure causes anxiety depression Inc Work re work for excellence Beliefs affect response to feedback new info Ent Ignore or discount Inc Attentive interested Why is praise important Ability Entity Process Incremental Intervention is possible 24 Ended here 2 29 2016 W W Norton Company Inc 25