Invitation to Psychology

Chapter 2 Theories of Personality 53

rise of conscientiousness over the life span, a

change that is found in many countries, sug-

gests that this trait is associated with matura-

tion and having adult responsibilities. Finally,

in their later years, people tend to become less

extroverted and less open to new experiences

(Roberts & Mroczek, 2008; Specht, Egloff, &

Schmukle, 2011).

are the most neurotic (emotionally negative) and
the least agreeable and conscientious.
But most of these crabby, irresponsible neu-
rotics do grow up eventually. As you can see in
Figure  2.1, people tend to become more agree-
able and conscientious and less negative between
ages 30 and 40 (Costa et al., 1999; Roberts,
Walton, & Viechtbauer, 2006). The slow, steady

Age (years)

16–21 22–29 30–49 50+

Conscientiousness score

60

55

50

45

40

Age (years)

16–21 22–29 30–49 50+

Neuroticism score

60

55

50

45

40

Germans

Americans

Spaniards

FiguRE 2.1 Consistency and Change in Personality Over the Life Span
Although the Big Five traits are fairly stable, changes do occur over the life span. As you can see, neuroticism ( negative
emotionality) is highest among young adults and then declines, whereas conscientiousness is lowest among young
adults and then steadily increases (Costa et al., 1999).

Get Involved! Rate Your Traits

For each of the 10 items that follow, write a number from 1 to 7 indicating the extent to which you

see that trait as being characteristic of you, where 1 = “I disagree strongly that this trait describes me”

to 7 = “I agree strongly that this trait describes me.” Use the midpoint, 4, if you neither agree nor disagree

that the trait describes you. (This self-test comes from Gosling, Rentfrow, & Swann, 2003.)

1. __ Extroverted, enthusiastic


2. __ Critical, quarrelsome


3. __ Dependable, self-disciplined


4. __ Anxious, easily upset


5. __ Open to new experiences, complex


6. __ Reserved, quiet


7. __ Sympathetic, warm


8. __ Disorganized, careless


9. __ Calm, emotionally stable


10. __ Conventional, uncreative
    To score yourself on the Big Five traits, use this key:
    Extroversion: High on question 1, low on question 6
    Emotional stability: High on question 9, low on question 4
    Agreeableness: High on question 7, low on question 2
    Conscientiousness: High on question 3, low on question 8
    Openness: High on question 5, low on question 10
    Now ask a friend or relative to rate you on each of the 10 items. How closely does that rating match your
    own? If there is a discrepancy, what might be the reason for it?