Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026
14:14
Adaptation of Semiautomated Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC) Assays for Clinical and Preclinical Research Applications
Published on: February 28, 2014
[Type C personality (cancer personality): current view and implications for future research]
Vnitrni Lekarstvi
|August 5, 2008
Summary
The concept of a cancer-prone personality (C-type personality) has evolved significantly. Current research does not support a link between specific personality traits and cancer development, questioning the C-type personality
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Oncology
- Behavioral Medicine
Context:
- The relationship between personality traits and cancer development has been investigated since the 1960s.
- Scientific opinion has shifted over five decades regarding the influence of psychosocial factors on cancer.
- Early research in the 1990s suggested a 'C-type' or cancer-prone personality, but findings were inconsistent.
Purpose:
- To review the historical evolution of research on the 'C-type' personality and cancer.
- To evaluate the current scientific consensus on the link between personality and cancer.
- To identify methodological limitations in past studies and propose improved research designs.
Summary:
- The existence of a 'C-type' personality, or cancer-prone personality, is currently not supported by scientific evidence.
- Despite historical research suggesting a link, specific personality traits have not been consistently or reliably associated with cancer development.
- The paper critiques the methodological approaches of previous studies and offers recommendations for future research designs.
Impact:
- This review clarifies the current scientific stance on the 'C-type' personality, emphasizing the lack of confirmed links to cancer.
- It highlights the need for more rigorous and methodologically sound research in psychoncology.
- The findings encourage a re-evaluation of the role of personality in cancer etiology and prevention strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Cattell's 16 Personality Factors
Raymond Cattell's trait theory offers a structured framework for understanding personality by distinguishing between two critical traits: surface and source traits. Surface traits are observable patterns of behavior, such as indecisiveness, anxiety, and irrational fears. These traits are less stable, varying across situations and over time. This means that they are less helpful in understanding the deeper aspects of an individual's personality.
In contrast, source traits are the fundamental,...
In contrast, source traits are the fundamental,...
01:23Implicit Personality Theories
Implicit personality theory explains how individuals make assumptions about the relationships between personality traits, behaviors, and character types. When people learn that someone possesses a particular trait, they tend to infer the presence of other related characteristics, forming a cohesive impression. This cognitive shortcut plays a crucial role in social interactions and interpersonal judgments.Central Traits and Their InfluenceSolomon Asch's seminal 1946 study highlighted the power...
01:29Introduction to Personality Psychology
Personality encompasses a set of enduring traits and behavioral patterns that define how individuals think, feel, and interact, ultimately shaping their unique identities. The concept of personality has deep historical roots, deriving from the Latin term "persona," which means "mask." This term initially referred to the roles played by actors in ancient theater, signifying the different facets individuals display in various contexts.
Early Theories of Personality
The study of personality dates...
Early Theories of Personality
The study of personality dates...
01:30Social Cognitive Perspective on Personality
Social cognitive perspectives on personality emphasize the importance of conscious awareness, beliefs, expectations, and goals in shaping behavior. These perspectives incorporate behaviorist principles, such as learning through reinforcement and conditioning, but extend beyond them by highlighting human reasoning and planning. Unlike traditional behaviorist views, social cognitive theory focuses on how individuals reflect on their past experiences and plan for future outcomes by considering...
01:26Cultural Influences on Personality
Individualist and collectivist cultures emphasize different core values, shaping personality in distinct ways. In individualist cultures, such as those in the United States, England, and Australia, people prioritize independence, competition, and personal achievement. These societies tend to promote self-focused traits, with individuals often reporting higher levels of self-esteem. In contrast, collectivist cultures, commonly found in regions like Asia, Africa, and South America, emphasize...
01:29Personality Theory by Eysenck and Eysenck
Hans and Sybil Eysenck developed a widely recognized theory of personality, which emphasizes the role of temperament and genetically based differences in shaping individual traits. Their theory posits that biological factors primarily determine personality and can be understood through two main dimensions: extroversion/introversion and neuroticism/stability.
In the extroversion/introversion dimension, highly extroverted people are sociable, outgoing, and easily connect with others. In contrast,...
In the extroversion/introversion dimension, highly extroverted people are sociable, outgoing, and easily connect with others. In contrast,...