Stability and change in personality across the life span: behavioral-genetic versus evolutionary approaches

Recent findings and theoretical models of behavioral-genetic and evolutionary approaches to personality development across the life span are presented. Theoretical and empirical strengths and weaknesses of these approaches regarding the issue of stability and change are outlined. Although these "biological" models may appear disparate as often as they appear similar, they share the common assumption that most personality phenomena are products of environmental contingencies. However, they differ with regard to the level at which they analyze and incorporate environmental influences into their interpretations of stability and change. Genetic influences are also examined. A theoretical integration of the recent findings and of the models of genetic and environmental influences on personality via evolutionary and behavioral-genetic approaches is intended to fill in the gaps and stimulate research on the study of personality development across the life span.