title: Personality stability is associated with better cognitive performance in adulthood: are the stable more able?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA 01075, USA. egraham@mtholyoke.edu
authors.forename: Eileen K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Margie E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Lachman
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002605:Character; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005120:Extraversion, Psychological; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011340:Problem Solving; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011930:Reaction Time; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult