Children's behavioral styles at age 3 are linked to their adult personality traits at age 26

J Pers. 2003 Aug;71(4):495-513. doi: 10.1111/1467-6494.7104001.

Abstract

We observed 1,000 3-year-old children who exhibited five temperament types: Undercontrolled, Inhibited, Confident, Reserved, and Well-adjusted. Twenty-three years later, we reexamined 96% of the children as adults, using multiple methods of comprehensive personality assessment, including both self- and informant-reports. These longitudinal data provide the longest and strongest evidence to date that children's early-emerging behavioral styles can foretell their characteristic behaviors, thoughts, and feelings as adults, pointing to the foundations of the human personality in the early years of life.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child Behavior / psychology*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • New Zealand
  • Personality Assessment*
  • Personality Development*
  • Psychometrics
  • Social Behavior
  • Temperament*