Constancy and Change in the Growth of Human Characteristics*

Abstract

Neither genetic programmes nor social influences necessarily unfold in a constant way, and their interactions are complex. The role of chance events adds a further and sometimes potent uncertainty in prediction equations. Both constancies and changes of ordinal position and/or level occur for most characteristics in normal circumstances but, following significant ecological improvement, personal changes among the disadvantaged can be much larger. Recent research emphasises the inadequacy of considering either genetic or environmental effects during one period of development outside the context of preceding and subsequent influences. It is to long-term consistent influences that importance must be ascribed.

Juvenile-episodic, Continued or Adult-onset Delinquency? Risk Conditions Analysed in a Cohort of Children Followed up to the Age of 25 Years

“…This observation is in line with the longitudinal law, which states that relationships between variables become weaker as the time periods between them grow longer (Clarke and Clarke 1984), although it contradicts Moffitt's theory on this point (Moffitt 1993: 695). Research on various samples of young offenders has repeatedly evidenced the limited scope of explanations based only on early life histories, and has supported theoretical explanations that take account of Lay, Ihle, Esser and Schmidt Course types of delinquency current life circumstances (Matt 1995;Stelly et al 1998;Kerner and Janssen 1996).…”

General strain theory and the development of stressors and substance use over time: An empirical examination

“…For example, the structure of the data necessitated dividing the life span into three lengthy developmental stages (childhood, adolescence, and adulthood) with some measures separated by long time lags. It is possible, therefore, that the lack of support for evocative/active selection and passive selection can be explained by the "longitudinal law", which holds that the association between two variables weakens as the time interval between their measurement becomes longer (see Clarke & Clarke, 1984;Moffitt, 1993, p. 695). Long lags may be especially problematic given that GST generally conceives of illicit behavior as a situational response to strain and negative emotions.…”

Resilient children: A longitudinal study of high achieving socially disadvantaged children

“…This idea of the unchanging self, the essential and constant inner quality of the individual which only needs recognition and encouragement in order to flourish, has little support in modern developmental psychology. The current view is that personality and cognitive ability evolve through an interactive or transactional process of assimilation and adaptation of the individual with his or her material and social environment (Clarke & Clarke 1984;Sameroff & Chandler 1975). However, despite the implication of fluidity and change in the latter model, resilience is still seen as partly due to the resourcefulness of the individual in coping with stressors, and partly as a consequence of other protective factors compensating for the effect of stressors (Garmezy 1985a;Rutter 1985c;Werner & Smith, 1982).…”