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Finding your niche

New research suggests that societal complexity is linked to personality traits, with more complex societies exhibiting greater diversity of personality types. This is explained by the presence of multiple socioecological niches, which shape individual behavior and contribute to success or reinforcement within a given environment.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateSep 16, 2019

Research tracks narcissism from young adulthood to middle age

Research tracks narcissism from young adulthood to middle age, finding that certain personality traits, such as vanity and entitlement, are associated with negative outcomes. However, most people experience a decline in narcissism over time, particularly those who enter into serious relationships or have children.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateSep 11, 2019

In romantic relationships, people do indeed have a 'type'

A University of Toronto study reveals that individuals often repeat patterns with the same personality traits in their current and past partners, indicating a strong tendency to date similar types. This finding suggests that people may indeed have an innate 'type' when it comes to romantic relationships.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 10, 2019

Why Mr. Nice could be Mr. Right

A new study from Michigan State University suggests that finding someone who is nice and conscientious can lead to higher levels of relationship satisfaction. The research found that even among couples with similar personalities, traits like neuroticism and extroversion have a negative impact on relationship happiness

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Research in Personality·DateFeb 11, 2019

Personality type could shape attitudes toward body weight of others, researchers say

A study published in Personality and Individual Differences found that specific personality traits, such as neuroticism and conscientiousness, are directly related to attitudes toward others' bodies. Higher neuroticism is linked to negative body image, while higher conscientiousness is tied to fat phobia. These findings suggest that in...

SourceFlorida State University·JournalPersonality and Individual Differences·DateJan 15, 2019

Study: Early career choices appear to influence personality

A new study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign suggests that early career choices can influence personality development. Researchers found that 16-year-olds who pursued vocational training and employment reported increased conscientiousness and decreased interest in scientific activities compared to their peers in acad...

How we judge personality from faces depends on our beliefs about how personality works

A new study by NYU researchers found that people form impressions of others' personalities from facial features based on their pre-existing beliefs about personality. The study's findings suggest that face impressions are shaped by our own beliefs, and can be highly inaccurate but consequential in real-world outcomes.

SourceNew York University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 27, 2018

The best hedge fund managers are not psychopaths or narcissists, according to new study

Researchers found that hedge fund managers with psychopathic traits made less profitable investments, while those with narcissistic traits took more risks to earn the same amount of money as their peers. The study suggests that Dark Triad personality traits are not desirable in investment managers.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateOct 19, 2017

Coke or Pepsi? Partner's choices can make you miserable

A new study found that partners who have low power in their relationships are stuck with their partner's preferred brands, leading to a death-by-a-thousand-cuts feeling and decreased happiness. The researchers used brand preferences in various products to study individuals and couples over two years.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateAug 14, 2017

What do Trump's tweets say about his personality?

Researchers analyzed Trump's 3200 tweets to find that he exhibits strong features of a Schumpeterian personality, characteristic of successful entrepreneurs. He shows creative and change-oriented behavior, but also struggles with emotional stability.

SourceSpringer·JournalSmall Business Economics·DateJul 25, 2017

Research finds link between spacing out and giving up

New research from the University of Waterloo found that people who can sustain focus in daily life are more likely to report maintaining passion in their long-term objectives. The study suggests that mindfulness training exercises like meditation may help mitigate mind-wandering habits and achieve goals.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalCanadian Journal of Experimental Psychology/Revue canadienne de psychologie expérimentale·DateJun 13, 2017

Personality traits 'contagious' among children

A Michigan State University study reveals that children's personalities are contagious and influenced by their peers, with extroverted and hard-working play partners shaping younger kids' behavior. The research challenges traditional views on the role of genes in shaping personality, suggesting that environment plays a significant role.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateFeb 3, 2017

Personality traits linked to differences in brain structure

Researchers analyzed a large dataset of brain images from over 500 individuals to identify correlations between brain cortical anatomy and the Big Five personality traits. High levels of neuroticism were associated with increased thickness in certain regions, while openness was linked to reduced thickness and increased area and folding.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateJan 24, 2017