The Big Question: Long-Term and Short-Term Personality Changes
How stable is our personality? When and why does it change? These are the research questions that occupy the thoughts of our lab members. In two lines of research we study both long-term changes in individual differences across the life span and short-term fluctuations in people’s way of dealing with the world – that is, personality dynamics and functioning in people’s daily lives. Our goal is to further integrate these two lines of research because this integrated perspective promises to provide new insights into the underlying processes of personality functioning and development.
How stable is our personality? When and why does it change? These are the research questions that occupy the thoughts of our lab members. In two lines of research we study both long-term changes in individual differences across the life span and short-term fluctuations in people’s way of dealing with the world – that is, personality dynamics and functioning in people’s daily lives. Our goal is to further integrate these two lines of research because this integrated perspective promises to provide new insights into the underlying processes of personality functioning and development.
PC Lab In The Media:
Current Projects:
Self-Development in Young Adulthood
One of the most important processes along the path of becoming a mature adult is to develop a sense of self. Three aspects of the self are particularly important. Self-esteem promotes individuals’ confidence in relation to others and life’s challenges. Self-control helps people regulate their impulses to set and pursue long-term goals. Self-concept clarity provides individuals with a coherent sense of who they are and how they can contribute to society. Research has shown that self-development occurs primarily in young adulthood; however, growth in self-aspects varies across individuals and the specific factors that shape self-development are largely unknown. Using a theory-guided model of the mechanisms and consequences of self-development, we examine the normative (e.g., exposure to diverse experiences, relationship formation, and goal pursuit) and non-normative (cultural exploration via study abroad) mechanisms underlying changes in self-self-esteem, self-control, and self-concept clarity over time. We further examine how changes in different self-aspects influence each other, and how these changes lead to long-term outcomes.
Investigators: Adam Nissen, Christopher Hopwood, Wiebke Bleidorn
Lifespan Development of Openness to Experience
In this line of research we study the mechanisms of stability and change in the fifth factor of the Big Five across various events, both normative and non-normative. Our goal is to untangle the mystery behind lifespan development of openness to experience/intellect.
Investigators: Ted Schwaba, Wiebke Bleidorn
Published work
Schwaba, T., Robins, R.W., Grijalva, E.J., & Bleidorn, W. (2019). Does Openness to Experience matter in love and work? Domain, facet, and developmental evidence
from a 24-year longitudinal study. Journal of personality, 87, 1074–1092.
Schwaba, T. (2018). The Structure, Measurement, and Development of Openness to Experience across Adulthood. In D. McAdams, J. Tackett & R. Shiner
(eds.) Handbook of Personality Development. Preprint available (email tedschwaba@gmail.com).
Schwaba, T., Luhmann, M., Denissen, J. J. A., Chung, J. M., & Bleidorn, W. (2018). Openness to Experience and Culture-Openness Transactions Across the
Lifespan. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 115, 118-136. Preprint available at https://osf.io/t3yjn/
Personality Change During the Transition to Parenthood
Becoming a parent is a big deal, but how does it affect one's personality and well-being? Are these effects different for mothers and fathers? What about those who don't become parents? In this line of research we examine longitudinal personality development in the specific context of parenthood.
Investigators: Manon Van Scheppingen, Wiebke Bleidorn
Published Work
van Scheppingen, M. A., Denissen, J. J. A., & Bleidorn, W. (2018). Stability and change in self-control during the transition to parenthood. European Journal of
Personality.
van Scheppingen, M. A., Denissen, J. J. A., Chung, J. M., Tambs, K., & Bleidorn, W. (2018). Self Esteem and Relationship Satisfaction During the Transition to
Motherhood. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 114, 973-991. Preprint available at https://osf.io/xv4np/
Bleidorn, W., Buyukcan-Tetik, A., Schwaba, T., van Scheppingen, M. A., Denissen, J. J. A., & Finkenauer, C. (2016). Stability and change in self-esteem during the
transition to parenthood. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 7(6), 560-569.
van Scheppingen, M. A., Jackson, J. J., Specht, J., Hutteman, R., Denissen, J. J. A., & Bleidorn, W. (2016). Personality trait development during the transition to
parenthood: A test of social investment theory. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 7(5), 452-462.
Personality Development in Adolescence
Ample research has shown that broad personality traits undergo pronounced changes during adolescence. However, little is known about the normative shape of changes and the the factors that may influence these changes. Some scholars have suggested that stable relationships with peers play a role in the development of adolescents’ personality. The aims of the current project are two-fold: First, we aim to provide a detailed description of the patterns of Big Five personality change during adolescence. Second, we examine the extent to which adolescents’ personality-trait development is influenced by the personality development of their best friends and siblings.
Investigators: Jeroen Borghuis, Jaap Denissen, Wiebke Bleidorn
Published Work
Borghuis, J., Bleidorn, W., Sijtsma, K., Branje, S., Meeus, W. H. J., & Denissen, J. J. A. (2020). Longitudinal associations between trait neuroticism and negative daily
experiences in adolescence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 118(2), 348–363. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000233
Borghuis, J., Denissen, J. J. A., Oberski, D., Sijtsma, K., Meeus, W. H. J., Branje, S., Koot, H. M., & Bleidorn, W. (2017). Big Five Personality Stability, Change, and Co-
Development across Adolescence and Early Adulthood. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 113, 641-657.
Cross-Cultural Differences in Personality Change
In recent years, a large body of research has shown that personality characteristics, such as the Big Five or self-esteem, can and do change across the life span. These robust findings would appear to provide a solid empirical foundation upon which theorists and researchers can develop their understanding of the mechanisms that drive changes in personality characteristics. However, there is one issue that potentially undermines this broad conclusion: The vast majority of previous studies have examined samples from the U.S. or other Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic (WEIRD; Henrich, Heine, & Norenzayan, 2010) countries. In this line of research, we examine age differences across large and diverse set of cultures to test whether the widely reported age differences in personality are cross-cultural universals or culture-specific phenomena. Moreover, the cross-cultural design can provide important information about the universal and culture-specific mechanisms that might drive personality change.
Investigators: Wiebke Bleidorn
Published Work
Bleidorn, W., Arslan, R. C., Denissen, J. J. A., Rentfrow, P. J., Gebauer, J. E., Potter, J., & Gosling, S. D. (2016). Age and gender differences in self-esteem—A cross-cultural
window. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 111(3), 396-410.
Gebauer, J. E., Sedikides, C., Wagner, J., Bleidorn, W., Rentfrow, P. J., Potter, J., & Gosling, S. D. (2015). Cultural norm fulfillment, interpersonal belonging, or getting
ahead? A large-scale cross-cultural test of three perspectives on the function of self-esteem. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 109(3), 526-548.
Gebauer, J.E., Bleidorn, W., Gosling, S.D., Rentfrow, P.J., & Potter, J. (2014). Cross-cultural variations in Big Five relationships with religiosity: A sociocultural motives
perspective. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 107: 1064-1091.
Bleidorn, W., Klimstra, T.A., Denissen, J.J.A., Rentfrow, P.J., Potter, J., & Gosling, S.D. (2013). Personality maturation around the world: A cross-cultural examination of
Social Investment Theory. Psychological Science, 24(12): 2530-2540.
Self-Development in Young Adulthood
One of the most important processes along the path of becoming a mature adult is to develop a sense of self. Three aspects of the self are particularly important. Self-esteem promotes individuals’ confidence in relation to others and life’s challenges. Self-control helps people regulate their impulses to set and pursue long-term goals. Self-concept clarity provides individuals with a coherent sense of who they are and how they can contribute to society. Research has shown that self-development occurs primarily in young adulthood; however, growth in self-aspects varies across individuals and the specific factors that shape self-development are largely unknown. Using a theory-guided model of the mechanisms and consequences of self-development, we examine the normative (e.g., exposure to diverse experiences, relationship formation, and goal pursuit) and non-normative (cultural exploration via study abroad) mechanisms underlying changes in self-self-esteem, self-control, and self-concept clarity over time. We further examine how changes in different self-aspects influence each other, and how these changes lead to long-term outcomes.
Investigators: Adam Nissen, Christopher Hopwood, Wiebke Bleidorn
Lifespan Development of Openness to Experience
In this line of research we study the mechanisms of stability and change in the fifth factor of the Big Five across various events, both normative and non-normative. Our goal is to untangle the mystery behind lifespan development of openness to experience/intellect.
Investigators: Ted Schwaba, Wiebke Bleidorn
Published work
Schwaba, T., Robins, R.W., Grijalva, E.J., & Bleidorn, W. (2019). Does Openness to Experience matter in love and work? Domain, facet, and developmental evidence
from a 24-year longitudinal study. Journal of personality, 87, 1074–1092.
Schwaba, T. (2018). The Structure, Measurement, and Development of Openness to Experience across Adulthood. In D. McAdams, J. Tackett & R. Shiner
(eds.) Handbook of Personality Development. Preprint available (email tedschwaba@gmail.com).
Schwaba, T., Luhmann, M., Denissen, J. J. A., Chung, J. M., & Bleidorn, W. (2018). Openness to Experience and Culture-Openness Transactions Across the
Lifespan. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 115, 118-136. Preprint available at https://osf.io/t3yjn/
Personality Change During the Transition to Parenthood
Becoming a parent is a big deal, but how does it affect one's personality and well-being? Are these effects different for mothers and fathers? What about those who don't become parents? In this line of research we examine longitudinal personality development in the specific context of parenthood.
Investigators: Manon Van Scheppingen, Wiebke Bleidorn
Published Work
van Scheppingen, M. A., Denissen, J. J. A., & Bleidorn, W. (2018). Stability and change in self-control during the transition to parenthood. European Journal of
Personality.
van Scheppingen, M. A., Denissen, J. J. A., Chung, J. M., Tambs, K., & Bleidorn, W. (2018). Self Esteem and Relationship Satisfaction During the Transition to
Motherhood. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 114, 973-991. Preprint available at https://osf.io/xv4np/
Bleidorn, W., Buyukcan-Tetik, A., Schwaba, T., van Scheppingen, M. A., Denissen, J. J. A., & Finkenauer, C. (2016). Stability and change in self-esteem during the
transition to parenthood. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 7(6), 560-569.
van Scheppingen, M. A., Jackson, J. J., Specht, J., Hutteman, R., Denissen, J. J. A., & Bleidorn, W. (2016). Personality trait development during the transition to
parenthood: A test of social investment theory. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 7(5), 452-462.
Personality Development in Adolescence
Ample research has shown that broad personality traits undergo pronounced changes during adolescence. However, little is known about the normative shape of changes and the the factors that may influence these changes. Some scholars have suggested that stable relationships with peers play a role in the development of adolescents’ personality. The aims of the current project are two-fold: First, we aim to provide a detailed description of the patterns of Big Five personality change during adolescence. Second, we examine the extent to which adolescents’ personality-trait development is influenced by the personality development of their best friends and siblings.
Investigators: Jeroen Borghuis, Jaap Denissen, Wiebke Bleidorn
Published Work
Borghuis, J., Bleidorn, W., Sijtsma, K., Branje, S., Meeus, W. H. J., & Denissen, J. J. A. (2020). Longitudinal associations between trait neuroticism and negative daily
experiences in adolescence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 118(2), 348–363. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000233
Borghuis, J., Denissen, J. J. A., Oberski, D., Sijtsma, K., Meeus, W. H. J., Branje, S., Koot, H. M., & Bleidorn, W. (2017). Big Five Personality Stability, Change, and Co-
Development across Adolescence and Early Adulthood. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 113, 641-657.
Cross-Cultural Differences in Personality Change
In recent years, a large body of research has shown that personality characteristics, such as the Big Five or self-esteem, can and do change across the life span. These robust findings would appear to provide a solid empirical foundation upon which theorists and researchers can develop their understanding of the mechanisms that drive changes in personality characteristics. However, there is one issue that potentially undermines this broad conclusion: The vast majority of previous studies have examined samples from the U.S. or other Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic (WEIRD; Henrich, Heine, & Norenzayan, 2010) countries. In this line of research, we examine age differences across large and diverse set of cultures to test whether the widely reported age differences in personality are cross-cultural universals or culture-specific phenomena. Moreover, the cross-cultural design can provide important information about the universal and culture-specific mechanisms that might drive personality change.
Investigators: Wiebke Bleidorn
Published Work
Bleidorn, W., Arslan, R. C., Denissen, J. J. A., Rentfrow, P. J., Gebauer, J. E., Potter, J., & Gosling, S. D. (2016). Age and gender differences in self-esteem—A cross-cultural
window. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 111(3), 396-410.
Gebauer, J. E., Sedikides, C., Wagner, J., Bleidorn, W., Rentfrow, P. J., Potter, J., & Gosling, S. D. (2015). Cultural norm fulfillment, interpersonal belonging, or getting
ahead? A large-scale cross-cultural test of three perspectives on the function of self-esteem. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 109(3), 526-548.
Gebauer, J.E., Bleidorn, W., Gosling, S.D., Rentfrow, P.J., & Potter, J. (2014). Cross-cultural variations in Big Five relationships with religiosity: A sociocultural motives
perspective. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 107: 1064-1091.
Bleidorn, W., Klimstra, T.A., Denissen, J.J.A., Rentfrow, P.J., Potter, J., & Gosling, S.D. (2013). Personality maturation around the world: A cross-cultural examination of
Social Investment Theory. Psychological Science, 24(12): 2530-2540.