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Personality

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Does Personality Predict Risky Behavior?

Caspi, A., Begg, D., Dickson, N., Harrington, H., Langley, J., Moffitt, T.E., and Silva, P. A. (1997). Personality differences predict health-risk behaviors in young adulthood: Evidence from a longitudinal study. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 73, 1052-1063.

For Students

About the Authors

Avshalom Caspi, HonaLee Harrington, and Terrie E. Moffitt are from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Dot Begg, Nigel Dickson, John Langley, and Phil A. Silva are from the University of Otago, New Zealand, where the research was conducted. Check out some summaries of other studies that have been done as part of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development study, including a more detailed study of alcohol abuse and one on assault.

About the Journal

The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology publishes excellent research in personality and social psychology. Check out the Table of Contents of recent issues.

Links to Life

It is difficult to believe that the tendency to engage in risky behavior could be laid down so early in life as Caspi et al. found. But here's an abstract of another report on the relationship between early temperament and drug abuse.

What Kind of Personality Do You Have?

The more common measures of personality are not available on-line. But here is an alternative personality test, the Keirsey temperament scale.

Do You Engage in Risky Behavior?

Most people don't believe they engage in risky behavior. Here is a Web site that provides good information while allowing you to assess your dependence on alcohol. Here is a more general measure of health risk assessment that deals with smoking, diet, exercise, and drinking.