Culturally Gendered Personality Traits Across the Adult Lifespan: Longitudinal Findings From Two Cohorts of the Intergenerational Studies

Data from two cohorts of individuals, one born in the 1920s and the other in the 1950s, all members of the Intergenerational Studies, a longitudinal study begun in 1929 in Berkeley and Oakland. California, were investigated to explore intraindividual change and interindividual differences in intraindividual change with respect to 2 culturally gendered aspects of personality. Study participants completed the California Psychological Inventory (CPI) a maximum of 5 times across a maximum time interval of 52 years. The CPI generates 20 subscales, 2 of which are particularly gender linked: Femininity (FM) and Dominance (DO). Application of 3-level hierarchical linear modeling indicated differential patterns of effects of gender, cohort. and education level by personality trait. Gender and education appeared to most strongly impact FM score: Women tended to decrease in FM across the adult life span, whereas men increased or held steady. Women who most markedly decreased in FM were highly educated. Cohort appears to most strongly impact DO score: Later-born individuals of either gender and of any level of education markedly increased in DO across the adult life span. Results are discussed in the context of the women's movement as it impacts those of different genders, cohorts, and levels of education.