Research

Our research focuses on the stability and changeability of personality differences. Traditionally, personality traits have been thought of as genetically determined, highly stable, and therefore unchangeable through environmental influences or interventions. A growing body of research has shown that this traditional conceptualisation of traits is inaccurate: Personality traits can and do change throughout the lifespan and these changes are driven by both genetic and environmental influences.

In our research, we study when, how, and why people change; we assess the consequences of personality change, and explore possibilities of volitional personality change. We focus on a wide range of individual differences and use a broad portfolio of methods including longitudinal designs, behavioral genetic methods, cross-cultural studies, and experience sampling approaches.

• CHILL: Changing How I Live Life
• PERCIVAL: PERsonality and CIVic engagement across the Adult Lifespan