Personality stability is associated with better cognitive performance in adulthood: Are the stable more able?

Eileen K. Graham*, Margie E. Lachman

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

86 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives. Although personality is relatively stable over time, there are individual differences in the patterns and magnitude of change. There is some evidence that personality change in adulthood is related to physical health and longevity. The present study expanded this work to consider whether personality stability or change would be associated with better cognitive functioning, especially in later adulthood. Method. A total of 4,974 individuals participated in two waves of The Midlife in the United States Study (MIDUS) in 1994-1995 and 2004-2005. Participants completed the MIDUS personality inventory at both times and the Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone cognitive battery at Time 2.Results.Multiple regression and analysis of covariance analyses showed that, consistent with predictions, individuals remaining stable in openness to experience and neuroticism had faster reaction times and better inductive reasoning than those who changed. Among older adults, those who remained stable or decreased in neuroticism had significantly faster reaction times than those who increased.Conclusions.As predicted, personality stability on some traits was associated with more adaptive cognitive performance on reasoning and reaction time. Personality is discussed as a possible resource for protecting against or minimizing age-related declines in cognition.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)545-554
Number of pages10
JournalJournals of Gerontology - Series B Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
Volume67 B
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2012

Funding

This research was supported by a grant from the National Institute on Aging ( P01-AG020166 John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Successful Midlife Development . Eileen Kranz-Graham was supported by grant T32-AG00204.

Keywords

  • Aging
  • Cognitive performance
  • Personality change

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Life-span and Life-course Studies

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