Key evidence & numbers
| Evidence for average trait change | Scope | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Longitudinal studies | 276 | Studies in the combined mean-level analysis. |
| Effective participant total | 242,542 | The paper accounts for overlapping measures and datasets. |
Source: original meta-analysis, combined-data table. The analysis combines earlier and newer studies. Its totals describe the evidence base, not a probability that your personality will change.
What affects it?
Patterns vary with age and the trait measured. The review distinguishes broader traits from narrower facets. Most included research came from Northern Europe or North America, which limits worldwide generalization. Meta-analysis
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Common questions
How can personality be stable and still change?
People may change on average while their relative positions remain similar. Group change and relative stability are different measures.
Does a changed questionnaire score prove lasting change?
A score difference alone does not establish that interpretation. Consider the questionnaire, testing conditions and evidence for repeatability.
Is there an ideal personality score?
We do not treat this profile as a pass-or-fail test or rank people by personal worth.
Sources
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