Absolute continuity refers to the typical assessment of group averages at certain points in life. For instance, schoolchildren change over time as they mature. Personality psychologists would secure points of a five-year period for the next 30 years to assess the change and consistency of those children’s personality traits every 10 years during that 30-year period. For instance, how do adolescents feel about life at 18 versus 10 years later at 28? Most 18-year olds are confused and unsure about their future. However, at 28 many finished college or have settled into a job and marriage, thus the study data would show that 28-year olds on the average are more confident and comfortable with life. Distribution depends upon low or high side or combination of continuities.
Differential continuity refers to consistency in trait data of an individual’s differences within a group over a period. The stability of differential continuity appears to increase with age, and according to the text on page 243, middle-aged adults have higher differential continuity over a certain period than do adolescents or young adults. For instance, most 18-year olds are unsure of life and we will look at one individual of a group of 18-year olds as well as the group overall. 10 years later, at the group’s overall age of 28, most appears to have settled into jobs and marriage, but how did the one person we followed compare to the rest of the group.
what is the difference between absolute continuity and differential continuity in regards to personality traits?
2 answers
The person in question was able to settle into a job and marriage like the rest of the group.