Social Investment

Social investment theory of personality development posits that the interpersonal commitments adults make to specific roles within social institutions such as jobs, families, religious organizations, and service groups are essential determinants of personality change and consistency in adulthood (Lodi-Smith & Roberts, 2007; Lodi-Smith & Roberts, 2012; Roberts, Wood, & Lodi-Smith, 2006).

Relevant Publications

• Lodi-Smith, J. (2018). Interpersonal models of social investment. European Journal of Personality, 32, 525-624.

• Lodi-Smith, J. & Roberts, B.W. (2012). Concurrent and prospective relationships between social engagement and personality traits in older adulthood. Psychology and Aging, 27, 720 – 727.

• Hudson, N.W., Roberts, B.W., & Lodi-Smith, J. (2012). Personality trait development and social investment in work. Journal of Research in Personality, 46, 334 – 344.

• Lodi-Smith, J. & Roberts, B.W. (2007). Social investment and personality: A meta-analysis of the relationship of personality traits to investment in work, family, religion, and volunteerism. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 11, 68-86.

• Roberts, B. W., Wood, D., Smith, J. (2005). Evaluating Five Factor Theory and social investment perspectives on personality trait development. Journal of Research in Personality, 39, 166-184.