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Work experiences and personality development in young adulthood
Brent W Roberts1, Avshalom Caspi, Terrie E Moffitt
1Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 61820, USA. broberts@s.psych.uiuc.edu
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|March 15, 2003
Summary
Young adults' personality traits at 18 predicted their work experiences at 26. Work experiences also shaped personality development, showing a reciprocal relationship between traits and career paths.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Organizational Behavior
- Personality Science
Background:
- Understanding the interplay between personality and work is crucial for career development and well-being.
- Previous research has explored personality's influence on work, but the bidirectional relationship and changes over time require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally examine the reciprocal relationship between personality traits and work experiences in young adulthood.
- To investigate how personality at age 18 predicts work experiences at age 26.
- To determine if work experiences influence personality trait development between ages 18 and 26.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study design analyzing data from young adults.
- Assessment of personality traits at age 18.
- Measurement of objective and subjective work experiences at age 26.
Main Results:
- Personality traits measured at age 18 significantly predicted both objective and subjective work experiences at age 26.
- Work experiences between ages 18 and 26 were associated with changes in personality traits.
- A reciprocal relationship was found: personality traits influenced work experiences, and these experiences, in turn, led to changes in personality.
Conclusions:
- Personality traits and work experiences exert a mutual influence on each other throughout young adulthood.
- Findings support theories of personality development suggesting that personality is not static and can be shaped by life experiences.
- The study highlights the dynamic interplay between individual characteristics and environmental factors in shaping career trajectories and personal growth.