Self-perceived personality change in adulthood and aging

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Gerontology
• Personality Studies

Background:

• Previous research indicated personality shifts during the middle- to old-age transition.
• Understanding age-related personality development is crucial for gerontological studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To replicate and extend prior research on self-perceived personality change in aging.
• To examine personality development across the middle-aged and old-aged transition in both men and women.
• To validate theoretical predictions of personality change during aging.

Main Methods:

• Administered a modified Rokeach Value Survey and Jackson Personality Research Form to 160 adults (80 middle-aged, 80 old-aged).
• Employed concurrent, prospective, and retrospective self-assessment conditions to evaluate perceived change.
• Utilized developmental scales theorized to change with age and control scales predicted to remain stable.

Main Results:

• Replicated a previously documented values transition in women.
• Provided evidence for predicted developmental personality scale changes in middle-aged men.
• Confirmed no significant self-perceived change on control scales for either men or women, supporting the specificity of the observed changes.

Conclusions:

• The findings support the occurrence of specific personality and values transitions during the middle- to old-age transition.
• The study validates theoretical models of age-related personality development.
• Results highlight the importance of considering gender and age in personality change research.