
Temperamental qualities at age three predict personality traits in young adulthood: longitudinal evidence from a birth cohort.
In an unselected sample of over 800 subjects we studied whether behavioral styles at age 3 are linked to personality traits at age 18. We identified 5 temperament groups (labeled Undercontrolled, Inhibited, Confident, Reserved, and Well-adjusted) based on behavioral ratings made by examiners when the children were 3. These groups were reassessed at 18, and their personality styles were measured with the self-report Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire. Results pointed to continuities across time. As young adults, Undercontrolled children scored high on measures of impulsivity, danger seeking, aggression, and interpersonal alienation; Inhibited children scored low on measures of impulsivity, danger seeking, aggression, and social potency; Confident children scored high on impulsivity; Reserved children scored low on social potency; and Well-adjusted children continued to exhibit normative behaviors.
Duke Scholars
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Related Subject Headings
- Temperament
- Social Behavior
- Reproducibility of Results
- Psychometrics
- Personality Development
- Personality Assessment
- New Zealand
- Male
- Longitudinal Studies
- Humans
Citation

Published In
DOI
EISSN
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Related Subject Headings
- Temperament
- Social Behavior
- Reproducibility of Results
- Psychometrics
- Personality Development
- Personality Assessment
- New Zealand
- Male
- Longitudinal Studies
- Humans