Journal of Personality

Lodi‐Smith, Jennifer; Roberts, Brent W.

doi: 10.1111/j.1467-6494.2010.00655.xpmid: 20663028

ABSTRACT The current research had 2 aims: (1) to determine the cross‐sectional age differences in self‐concept clarity during adulthood and (2) to examine the importance of social role experiences for age differences in self‐concept clarity. These aims were addressed in 2 large samples of adults ranging in age from 18 to 94 years. In both studies, self‐concept clarity had a curvilinear relation to age such that self‐concept clarity was positively related to age from young adulthood through middle age and negatively related to age in older adulthood. This relationship was moderated by annual income and community investment. In addition, annual income and health‐related social role limitations mediated age differences in self‐concept clarity. Findings are discussed in terms of modern theories of identity development.

Suedfeld, Peter; Legkaia, Katya; Brcic, Jelena

doi: 10.1111/j.1467-6494.2010.00656.xpmid: 20663027

ABSTRACT One hundred twenty‐five astronaut autobiographies, interviews, and oral histories were content analyzed and scored for references to values (Schwartz, 1992). The current study extended methods tested in 2 pilot studies of space veterans from many nations, of both sexes, and with different experiences within the history of human spaceflight. Value references reflected a high degree of concern with individualism, with Achievement, Enjoyment, and Self‐direction ranked highest. There were relatively few value differences across demographic categories, demonstrating the impact of the spaceflight experience. After returning, the astronauts showed increased concern with Universalism, Spirituality, and Power (social recognition), a broadened set of references to values oriented toward the collective good.

Howland, Maryhope; Rafaeli, Eshkol

doi: 10.1111/j.1467-6494.2010.00657.xpmid: 20663026

ABSTRACT Individual differences in empathic accuracy (EA) can be assessed using daily diary methods as a complement to more commonly used lab‐based behavioral observations. Using electronic dyadic diaries, we distinguished among elements of EA (i.e., accuracy in levels, scatter, and pattern, regarding both positive and negative moods) and examined them as phenomena at both the day and the person level. In a 3‐week diary study of cohabiting partners, we found support for differentiating these elements. The proposed indices reflect differing aspects of accuracy, with considerable similarity among same‐valenced accuracy indices. Overall there was greater accuracy regarding negative target moods than positive target moods. These methods and findings take the phenomenon of “everyday mindreading” (Ickes, 2003) into everyday life. We conclude by discussing empathic accuracies as a family of capacities for, or tendencies toward, accurate interpersonal sensitivity. Members of this family may have distinct associations with the perceiver's, target's, and relationship's well‐being.

Robinson, Michael D.; Moeller, Sara K.; Fetterman, Adam K.

doi: 10.1111/j.1467-6494.2010.00658.xpmid: 20663025

ABSTRACT Responsiveness to negative feedback has been seen as functional by those who emphasize the value of reflecting on such feedback in self‐regulating problematic behaviors. On the other hand, the very same responsiveness has been viewed as dysfunctional by its link to punishment sensitivity and reactivity. The present 4 studies, involving 203 undergraduate participants, sought to reconcile such discrepant views in the context of the trait of neuroticism. In cognitive tasks, individuals were given error feedback when they made mistakes. It was found that greater tendencies to slow down following error feedback were associated with higher levels of accuracy at low levels of neuroticism but lower levels of accuracy at high levels of neuroticism. Individual differences in neuroticism thus appear crucial in understanding whether behavioral alterations following negative feedback reflect proactive versus reactive mechanisms and processes. Implications for understanding the processing basis of neuroticism and adaptive self‐regulation are discussed.

Freeman, Hani D.; Beer, Jennifer S.

doi: 10.1111/j.1467-6494.2010.00659.xpmid: 20649745

ABSTRACT Low sensation seekers are theorized to avoid risk more often because risk is emotionally more costly for them (in comparison to high sensation seekers). Therefore, individual differences in sensation seeking should predict differences in risk task–induced cortisol changes. Furthermore, the neural mediation that accounts for the relation between sensation seeking and cortisol changes has not been studied. The current study tested whether individual differences in sensation seeking predicted cortisol changes in relation to a risk task and whether this relation was mediated by frontal lobe activation. Participants (N=17) who varied in sensation seeking completed an fMRI study in which they rated the likelihood they would take various risks. Cortisol was measured from saliva samples collected prior to and after the fMRI procedure. The findings show that low sensation seekers showed the greatest rise in cortisol after the risk procedure, and this relation was partially mediated by increased orbitofrontal cortex activity.

Miller, Joshua D.; Dir, Ally; Gentile, Brittany; Wilson, Lauren; Pryor, Lauren R.; Campbell, W. Keith

doi: 10.1111/j.1467-6494.2010.00660.xpmid: 20663024

ABSTRACT Paulhus and Williams (2002) identified a “Dark Triad” comprising the following related personality styles: narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism. The heterogeneity found in narcissism and psychopathy raises the possibility of a second triad made up of emotional vulnerability and dark traits (i.e., the vulnerable dark triad; VDT). Along with vulnerable narcissism and Factor 2 psychopathy, the third member of the hypothesized VDT is borderline personality disorder (BPD). Using a sample of 361 undergraduates, we examine the relations between these constructs and their relations with criterion variables, including personality, environmental etiological factors (e.g., abuse), and current functioning (e.g., psychopathology, affect). The results suggest that the VDT constructs are significantly related to one another and manifest similar nomological networks, particularly vulnerable narcissism and BPD. Although the VDT members are related to negative emotionality and antagonistic interpersonal styles, they are also related to introversion and disinhibition. Ultimately, it seems there is a “dark continuum” of pathological personality traits that differ primarily in relation to negative and positive emotionality and disinhibition.

Kandler, Christian; Riemann, Rainer; Spinath, Frank M.; Angleitner, Alois

doi: 10.1111/j.1467-6494.2010.00661.xpmid: 20663023

ABSTRACT This study considered the validity of the personality structure based on the Five‐Factor Model using both self‐ and peer reports on twins' NEO‐PI‐R facets. Separating common from specific genetic variance in self‐ and peer reports, this study examined genetic substance of different trait levels and rater‐specific perspectives relating to personality judgments. Data of 919 twin pairs were analyzed using a multiple‐rater twin model to disentangle genetic and environmental effects on domain‐level trait, facet‐specific trait, and rater‐specific variance. About two thirds of both the domain‐level trait variance and the facet‐specific trait variance was attributable to genetic factors. This suggests that the more personality is measured accurately, the better these measures reflect the genetic structure. Specific variance in self‐ and peer reports also showed modest to substantial genetic influence. This may indicate not only genetically influenced self‐rater biases but also substance components specific for self‐ and peer raters' perspectives on traits actually measured.