what is the difference between absolute continuity and differential continuity in regards to personality traits?

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.

In the context of personality traits, absolute continuity and differential continuity are concepts used to describe stability and change in traits over time, along with the consistency of individual differences.

1. Absolute continuity: It refers to the overall stability of personality traits over time. It suggests that individuals tend to maintain their relative standing on traits throughout their life. Essentially, if someone is high or low on a particular trait at one point in time, they are likely to be similarly high or low on that trait at a later point in time. Absolute continuity highlights the consistency of individual differences in traits across the lifespan.

2. Differential continuity: It focuses on the maintenance or change in the rank-order of individuals on specific traits. In other words, while absolute continuity emphasizes the stability of traits, differential continuity takes into account the relative consistency or change in the individual differences between people. It is concerned with how the rank-order of individuals on different traits may change over time, indicating that some individuals may experience more change or variability than others.

To summarize, absolute continuity focuses on the stability of traits over time, suggesting that individuals maintain their relative standing on traits throughout their life. On the other hand, differential continuity examines how the rank-order of individuals on specific traits may change over time, capturing both stability and individual differences in patterns of change.

Absolute continuity and differential continuity are concepts commonly used in the field of psychology to understand the stability of personality traits over time.

1. Absolute Continuity: Absolute continuity refers to the consistency of an individual's personality traits over time, regardless of the environment or circumstances. It suggests that individuals who possess certain traits at one point in time will generally display those same traits consistently across different situations and throughout their lifespan. For example, a person who is highly extraverted at a young age is likely to demonstrate similar levels of extraversion as they grow older.

To determine absolute continuity, researchers typically measure personality traits using standardized instruments, such as personality inventories or questionnaires, and assess individuals at multiple time points. By examining the correlation between trait scores at different time intervals, researchers can determine the level of absolute continuity.

2. Differential Continuity: Differential continuity, on the other hand, focuses on understanding the stability of personality traits relative to other individuals over time. It examines how individuals' relative positions within a group or population change or stay consistent across different time periods. In other words, it deals with how individuals maintain their relative rank or position compared to others in terms of specific personality traits.

To assess differential continuity, researchers examine the rank-order stability of personality traits. They compare individuals' trait scores with those of others in the same group or population at different time points. If individuals maintain similar relative scores and rankings compared to others over time, it indicates high differential continuity.

In summary, absolute continuity examines the consistency of individual personality traits over time, while differential continuity assesses how individuals maintain their relative rank or position compared to others in terms of personality traits across different time periods. Both concepts provide valuable insights into the stability and change of personality traits over the lifespan.

The person in question was able to settle into a job and marriage like the rest of the group.