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Environmental predictors of personality differences: a twin and sibling study
P A Vernon1, K L Jang, J A Harris
1Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada. vernon@sscl.uwo.ca
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Environmental factors significantly shape personality development, comparable to genetic influences. This study identifies specific environmental predictors contributing to individual personality differences in adult twins and siblings.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Genetics
- Developmental Psychology
- Personality Science
Background:
- Nonshared environmental influences explain significant personality variance, yet remain largely unidentified.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for explaining differential personality development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify specific environmental predictors of personality development.
- To investigate the role of nonshared environmental effects in personality variation.
Main Methods:
- Administered the Personality Research Form and 4 environmental perception measures.
- Studied 143 adult twin pairs (monozygotic and dizygotic) and 66 same-sex nontwin sibling pairs.
Main Results:
- Personality differences among relatives were significantly linked to perceived environmental differences.
- All correlations between personality and environmental measures were explained by nonshared environmental effects.
Conclusions:
- Environmental factors are key drivers of individual personality differences.
- Specific environmental perceptions predict distinct personality trajectories.
- Nonshared environmental influences play a critical role in personality development.
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