Description:

The Northwestern University Psychology Colloquium Series Presents:

Ben Chapman

University of Rochester Medical Center

"Personality Traits and Longevity: Evolving Issues and Current Directions"

Abstract: Considerable work has examined whether personality traits are predictive of mortality, and if so why. Robust and consistent associations exist between longevity and the Five Factor Model (FFM) domain of Conscientiousness, with varying evidence for the remaining four domains. However, a host of new issues has emerged around how this work articulates with the literature on socioeconomic gradients in mortality. I will review some of the current uncertainties in that work. Similar questions have arisen around cognitive traits and socioeconomic mortality differentials, and pit quintessentially individual explanations of lifecourse health against those rooted in sociostructural causes. Another set of questions involve how findings from the study of personality and health might be put to practical use, either at a public health level or within medical contexts such as primary care. While there is interest in how personality tendencies might be directly modified to improve long-term health, I will consider the alternative prospect of harnessing traits within health prediction models, which are an ever-expanding trend within personalized medicine.

Thursday, April 21, 2016

4:00 pm, Swift Hall 107

Reception to follow