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When Do Individual Differences Matter? A Paradoxical Theory of Personality Coherence

Publication ,  Journal Article
Caspi, A; Moffitt, TE
Published in: Psychological Inquiry
October 1, 1993

We propose that individual differences in personality should be studied during periods of environmental change because these periods provide an opportunity to discern the general mechanisms that govern the functions and processes of personality. We delineate the circumstances wherein personality differences are accentuated and then specify the conditions whereby change is produced. Personality differences are likely to be revealed during transitions into unpredictable new situations, when there is a press to behave but no information about how to behave adaptively. Dispositional differences are thus accentuated as each person seeks to transform novel, ambiguous, and uncertain circumstances into familiar, clear, and expectable social encounters. Our theory also accounts for turning points in behavioral development: Systematic change is likely to occur during transitions into new situations, when there is a press to behave and when previous responses are actively discouraged while clear information is provided about how to behave adaptively. © 1993, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

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Published In

Psychological Inquiry

DOI

EISSN

1532-7965

ISSN

1047-840X

Publication Date

October 1, 1993

Volume

4

Issue

4

Start / End Page

247 / 271

Related Subject Headings

  • Social Psychology
  • 5205 Social and personality psychology
  • 5203 Clinical and health psychology
  • 1702 Cognitive Sciences
  • 1701 Psychology
 

Citation

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Caspi, A., & Moffitt, T. E. (1993). When Do Individual Differences Matter? A Paradoxical Theory of Personality Coherence. Psychological Inquiry, 4(4), 247–271. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327965pli0404_1
Caspi, A., and T. E. Moffitt. “When Do Individual Differences Matter? A Paradoxical Theory of Personality Coherence.” Psychological Inquiry 4, no. 4 (October 1, 1993): 247–71. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327965pli0404_1.
Caspi A, Moffitt TE. When Do Individual Differences Matter? A Paradoxical Theory of Personality Coherence. Psychological Inquiry. 1993 Oct 1;4(4):247–71.
Caspi, A., and T. E. Moffitt. “When Do Individual Differences Matter? A Paradoxical Theory of Personality Coherence.” Psychological Inquiry, vol. 4, no. 4, Oct. 1993, pp. 247–71. Scopus, doi:10.1207/s15327965pli0404_1.
Caspi A, Moffitt TE. When Do Individual Differences Matter? A Paradoxical Theory of Personality Coherence. Psychological Inquiry. 1993 Oct 1;4(4):247–271.

Published In

Psychological Inquiry

DOI

EISSN

1532-7965

ISSN

1047-840X

Publication Date

October 1, 1993

Volume

4

Issue

4

Start / End Page

247 / 271

Related Subject Headings

  • Social Psychology
  • 5205 Social and personality psychology
  • 5203 Clinical and health psychology
  • 1702 Cognitive Sciences
  • 1701 Psychology