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Conscientiousness: origins in childhood?
Nancy Eisenberg1, Angela L Duckworth2, Tracy L Spinrad3
1Department of Psychology, Arizona State University.
Developmental Psychology
|December 19, 2012
Summary
Conscientiousness emerges in childhood, with self-regulation skills being a key developmental factor. Environmental influences and academic motivation also play significant roles in its development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Personality Psychology
Background:
- Conscientiousness is a key personality trait associated with numerous life outcomes.
- Understanding its developmental trajectory from childhood is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if the personality trait of conscientiousness is identifiable in children and adolescents.
- To explore the developmental origins of conscientiousness.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing developmental and personality research.
- Analysis of studies focusing on self-regulation, academic motivation, and internalized compliance.
Main Results:
- Conscientiousness emerges in childhood.
- Self-regulation skills are a core developmental component.
- Academic motivation and internalized compliance are pathways through which self-regulation fosters conscientiousness.
Conclusions:
- Elements of conscientiousness are evident in early childhood.
- Self-regulation is a significant predictor of later conscientiousness.
- Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of conscientiousness.
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