Patterns of Continuity: A Dynamic Model for Conceptualizing the Stability of Individual Differences in Psychological Constructs Across the Life Course

In contemporary psychology there is debate over whether individual differences in psychological constructs are stable over extended periods of time. The authors argue that it is impossible to resolve such debates unless researchers focus on patterns of stability and the developmental mechanisms that...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychological review 2005-01, Vol.112 (1), p.60-74
Main Authors: Fraley, R. Chris, Roberts, Brent W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age Differences
Biological and medical sciences
Correlation
Developmental psychology
Developmental Stages
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Human
Humans
Individual Differences
Intervals
Life Change Events
Life Span
Meta Analysis
Models, Theoretical
Neurology
Neurosis
Psychological Studies
Psychology
Psychology - methods
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Theories
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Summary:In contemporary psychology there is debate over whether individual differences in psychological constructs are stable over extended periods of time. The authors argue that it is impossible to resolve such debates unless researchers focus on patterns of stability and the developmental mechanisms that may give rise to them. To facilitate this shift in emphasis, they describe a formal model that integrates 3 developmental processes: stochastic-contextual processes, person-environment transactions, and developmental constancies. The theoretical and mathematical analyses indicate that this model makes novel predictions about the way in which test-retest correlations are structured across a wide range of ages and test-retest intervals. The authors illustrate the utility of the model by comparing its predictions against meta-analytic data on Neuroticism. The discussion emphasizes the value of focusing on patterns of continuity, not only as phenomena to be explained but as data capable of clarifying the developmental processes underlying stability and change for a variety of psychological constructs.
ISSN:0033-295X
1939-1471
DOI:10.1037/0033-295X.112.1.60