Relationship Between Personality Traits and Stages of Development

The American Psychological Association (2021) defines personality as an individual’s unique set of characteristics related to cognition, emotion, and behavior. These unique characteristics influence how an individual thinks and acts (Cherry, 2020). An individual’s distinct personality traits represent consistent and long-term patterns of emotion, mannerisms, and behavior that remain stable across different situations and over time (Larsen & Buss, 2018). Personality development refers to how the structured pattern of behavior that forms an individual’s personality unfolds over time (Cherry, 2020). The relationship between personality traits and stages of development involves the ongoing interaction of genetic, interpersonal, social, and environmental influences throughout childhood, which predict important biological, social, and health outcomes in adulthood (Cherry, 2020; Soto & Tackett, 2015).

Erik Erikson’s theory of social relationships across the lifespan offers a framework for understanding the connection between personality traits and stages of development (Cherry, 2020; Larsen & Buss, 2018). Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development consist of eight stages: trust vs. mistrust, autonomy vs. shame and doubt, initiative vs. guilt, industry vs. inferiority, identity vs. role confusion, intimacy vs. isolation, generativity vs. stagnation, and ego integrity vs. despair (Larsen & Buss, 2018). Each stage builds upon the previous one, from birth through old age, potentially impacting personality traits that shape personality development over time (Cherry, 2020).

Although personality traits tend to be consistent and stable over time and across situations (Larsen & Buss, 2018), Cherry (2021) suggests that individuals can consciously change certain aspects of their personality by altering their thinking and behavior. To change aspects of one’s personality, one can practice new behaviors until they become habitual, such as setting goals and developing coping strategies. Other methods for experiencing personality change and growth include shifting from a fixed mindset to an open mindset that embraces positive growth. Additionally, individuals can act the part they aspire to be, eventually adopting those traits naturally. For example, an introverted person might place themselves in social situations to become more extroverted.

Conclusion

The American Psychological Association (2021) defines personality as an individual’s unique set of characteristics related to cognition, emotion, and behavior. These characteristics influence how an individual thinks and acts (Cherry, 2020). The relationship between personality traits and stages of development involves the ongoing interaction of genetic, interpersonal, social, and environmental factors throughout childhood, which predict significant biological, social, and health outcomes in adulthood (Cherry, 2020; Soto & Tackett, 2015). To change aspects of one’s personality, practicing new behaviors until they become habitual is essential (Cherry, 2021). Personality tests and assessments are used to measure distinct patterns of personality traits, providing valuable data on behaviors and personality that can be utilized by healthcare professionals and in selecting employment candidates (Larsen & Buss, 2018).

The Sapa Project offers a self-report personality assessment representing stable personality traits associated with the Five-Factor Model of personality (Capella University, n.d.). According to Larsen and Buss (2018), once personality assessments identify specific personality traits, it is crucial to measure their accuracy and reliability. They emphasized that the reliability of a personality assessment lies in its ability to consistently represent the true level of the trait being measured. Personality tests can be beneficial in identifying one’s strengths and weaknesses, but the individual must be honest and open to produce accurate and consistent results.

References