Personality states

Abstract

Personality states refer to an individuals' feelings, thoughts, behaviours, and goals at a particular time. We review recent research with a focus on broad factor models of personality (Big Five, HEXACO), identifying several themes. First, studies show both convergence and significant differences between average states and traits and provide initial evidence that state fluctuations play a role in long-term trait change. Second, recent studies have identified theoretically plausible contingencies between situation characteristics and personality states as well as sizeable individual differences in these contingencies. Third, in applied contexts, personality states are associated with variables such as job performance, sleep quality, and stress. Finally, we highlight recent advances in the measurement of personality states.