As people transition from childhood to adulthood, certain traits develop or become stronger. These traits relate to skills needed to be successful in adulthood (responsibility, consciousness, etc.). 

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

These claims serve as a guide for future research in personality development. Each principle explains how personality remains stable or how it changes over time. 

Principles of Continuity:
-  Cumulative Continuity Principle
-  Role Continuity Principle
-  Identity Development Principle
-  Corresponsive Principle


Principles of Change: 
-  Maturity Principle
-  Plasticity Principle
-  Social Investment Principle


Principles of Personality Change and Continuity 

Funder, D. C. (2019). The personality puzzle. New York, NY: W. W. Norton &amp; Company.

The Personality Puzzle

The Cumulative Continuity Principle explains that personality becomes more consistent with age. As you get older, your personality will become more stable. 

Cumulative Continuity Principle

The Role Continuity Principle suggests that people who take on roles lead to personality reflecting those roles. For example, someone labeled as a jock in high school will continue to display that role in their personality throughout adulthood. 

Role Continuity Principle

Throughout the lifetime, people develop a sense of who they are. This sense of self establishes stable behavior patterns and correlates with a developed personality. 

Identity Development Principle

The Corresponsive Principle explains that life experiences exemplify personality traits that are already present. Life experiences can also cause existing traits to become more stable. 

Corresponsive Principle

Maturity Principle 

The Plasticity Principle explains how personality is not permanent. It can change overtime, although intentional changes are not always easy. 

Plasticity Principle

Personality tends to change as social roles change throughout the life time. This includes getting becoming a partner, parent, or boss. 

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