Psychology in Action: Personality — Traits, Types, Stability, and Change

What is personality, and what does psychology actually know about it?

Are people best understood in terms of enduring traits, discrete “types,” or something else? How stable is personality across the lifespan, and under what conditions does it change? And how do popular personality systems compare with the scientific evidence?

In this session of Psychology in Action, we’ll explore how personality is currently understood in mainstream personality psychology, drawing on both accessible, research-informed articles and contemporary academic overviews of the field (see links to articles below).

The focus will be on ideas and evidence rather than self-assessment, self-improvement, or personal disclosure. This is not a therapy, coaching, or support group.

The group is intentionally small and discussion-based. All are welcome to join, and no prior training in psychology is required, though participants should be comfortable engaging with research-informed material and conceptual discussion.

Format: Structured, facilitator-guided discussion of shared readings, beginning with brief participant introductions and reflections.

Duration: 90 minutes (up to 2 hours if discussion warrants)

Core readings (shared):

• Big Five Personality Traits — Overview of trait models, measurement, and evidence [Link to article]
• Personality Tests Aren’t All the Same: Some Work Better Than Others — Evidence-based comparison of trait models and popular type-based tests [Link to article]

Optional reading (for deeper context):

• Roberts, B. W., & Yoon, H. J. (2022). Personality Psychology — A comprehensive overview of contemporary thinking in personality psychology [Link to article]
• Mischel, W. (2004). Toward an Integrative Science of the Person. Annual Review of Psychology — Skimming the opening sections (until SEARCHING FOR THE UNDERLYING ORGANIZATION) will give a sense of the limits of personality prediction and the relationship between traits, situations, and behavior. [Link to article]

Reading ahead is strongly encouraged but not required.

Location & Parking:
We’ll be meeting at the Living Room Coffeehouse in La Jolla. Street and paid parking are available in the area, though Sundays can be busy. Allowing a bit of extra time should make parking manageable.