Trajectories of Big Five Personality Traits: A Coordinated Analysis of 16 Longitudinal Samples

This study assessed change in self-reported Big Five personality traits. We conducted a coordinated integrative data analysis using data from 16 longitudinal samples, comprising a total sample of over 60 000 participants. We coordinated models across multiple datasets and fit identical multi-level growth models to assess and compare the extent of trait change over time. Quadratic change was assessed in a subset of samples with four or more measurement occasions. Across studies, the linear trajectory models revealed declines in conscientiousness, extraversion, and openness. Non-linear models suggested late-life increases in neuroticism. Meta-analytic summaries indicated that the fixed effects of personality change are somewhat heterogeneous and that the variability in trait change is partially explained by sample age, country of origin, and personality measurement method. We also found mixed evidence for predictors of change, specifically for sex and baseline age. This study demonstrates the importance of coordinated conceptual replications for accelerating the accumulation of robust and reliable findings in the lifespan developmental psychological sciences. © 2020 European Association of Personality Psychology     

Book review

Gallistel, E.R. (1990). The organization of learning. Cambrdige, MA: M.I.T. Press. Pp. 648. ISBN 0-262-071134. £40.50.     

Book reviews

Narmour, E. (1992). The analysis and cognition of melodic complexity: The implication-realization model. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. Pp. xii + 444. ISBN 0-226-56842-3. £39.95 (Hbk).

Gabriel, M., & Moore, J. (Eds.) (1990). Learning and computational neuroscience: Foundations of adaptive networks. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Pp. xv + 13. ISBN 0-262-07102-9. £44.95.

Brady, S.A., & Shankweiler, D.P. (Eds.) (1991). Phonological processes in literacy: A tribute to Isabelle Y. Liberman. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Inc. Pp. xxv + 266. ISBN 0-8059-0501-X. £46.95 (Hbk).

Tokhura, Y., Vatikiotis-Bateson, E., & Sagisaka, Y. (1992). Speech perception, production and linguistic strucutre. Tokyo.: IOS Press. Pp. 463. ISBN 90-5199-084-7. £70.00.

Tohkura, Y., Vatikiotis-Bateson, E., & Sagisaka, Y. (Eds.) (1992). Speech perception, production and linguistic structure. Amsterdam: IOS Press. Pp. 463. ISBN 90-5199-084-7. £70.00.     

The location problem for color subjectivism

According to color subjectivism, colors are mental properties, processes, or events of visual experiences of color. I first lay out an argument for subjectivism founded on claims from visual science and show that it also relies on a philosophical assumption. I then argue that subjectivism is untenable because this view cannot provide a plausible account of color perception. I describe three versions of subjectivism, each of which combines subjectivism with a theory of perception, namely sense datum theory, adverbialism, and the virtual color proposal, and argue that each version faces serious objections. Considering these three theories of perception to be exhaustive of those available to the subjectivist, I conclude that subjectivism is untenable and that the scientifically motivated argument for this view is unsound. I then offer the diagnosis that the philosophical assumption on which this argument relies is mistaken.     

Psychological Skills Do Not Always Help Performance: The Moderating Role of Narcissism

Psychological skills are typically viewed as beneficial to performance in competition. Conversely, narcissists appear to thrive in competitive environments so should not need psychological skills to the same degree as less narcissistic individuals. To investigate this moderating hypothesis high-standard ice-skaters completed measures of narcissism, psychological skills, and anxiety before performing their competition routine during training. A week later, participants performed the same routine in competition. Performance was operationalized as the difference between competition and training scores. Moderated regression analyses revealed that narcissism moderated the relationship between psychological skills and performance. Psychological skill effectiveness depends on an individual's degree of narcissism.