Individual differences, immunity, and cancer: lessons from personality psychology
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 27, 2026

Multiplex Immunohistochemical Analysis of the Spatial Immune Cell Landscape of the Tumor Microenvironment
Published on: August 18, 2023
1Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, 115 Kastle Hall, Lexington 40506-0044, USA. scsege0@uky.edu
Abstract:
Individual differences have an important role in modulating the relationship between environmental events such as stressors and the immune system, and stable individual differences such as personality may have an important influence not only on immunity but on the progression of chronic health problems such as cancer. However, the relationships among personality, the immune system, and health-especially cancer-are controversial. Looking back to another controversy may help inform future research in this area: In the 1960s, Walter Mischel questioned whether stable personality traits existed. Responses to this challenge included research designs that improved reliability and accounted for both person and situation in an interactionist model. Both responses are relevant to current research in personality, immunity, and health.
Related Concept Videos
Introduction to Personality Psychology
Early Theories of Personality
The study of personality dates...
Cultural Influences on Personality
Implicit Personality Theories
Human Genetics
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
Personal Identity
Social Cognitive Perspective on Personality
