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Shifting Social Dispositions, Stable Prosocial Traits: A Global Age-Period-Cohort Analysis of Human Personality

Author

Listed:
  • Paul X. McCarthy
  • Xian Gong
  • John A. Johnson
  • Marian-Andrei Rizoiu
  • Margaret L. Kern
  • Jean M. Twenge

Abstract

Generational stereotypes are widespread, but they often rely on anecdotes, and it remains challenging to disentangle true birth-cohort differences from the universal effects of ageing and historical periods. Using a statistical approach that separates effects of age, calendar time, and cohort, we analyzed Big Five personality data (five broad dimensions of personality) from N=773,714 individuals assessed across 30 years. Traits that shape social interaction diverged between generations, whereas a prosocial core comprising morality, discipline, and emotional awareness was stable across cohorts. Generation Z (born between 1995 and 2012) showed lower excitement seeking and gregariousness alongside higher self-consciousness and anxiety. These findings suggest that cohort change is selective rather than global: the dispositions through which people engage with the social world may be adapting to contemporary cultural conditions, while core prosocial tendencies remain stable across generations.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul X. McCarthy & Xian Gong & John A. Johnson & Marian-Andrei Rizoiu & Margaret L. Kern & Jean M. Twenge, 2026. "Shifting Social Dispositions, Stable Prosocial Traits: A Global Age-Period-Cohort Analysis of Human Personality," Papers 2608.18119, arXiv.org.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2608.18119
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    File URL: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2608.18119
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