Abstract

The goal of the present study was to compare age trends for the implicit motives of need for achievement and need for affiliation to age trends for conceptually-related global traits (conscientiousness and extraversion) and trait facets (achievement striving and warmth). This study adds to the literature on personality development by focusing on implicit and explicit methods of assessment in the interest of addressing the dissociation between these methods seen in previous research. Participants were 74 men and 74 women from the Eugene Springfield Community Sample and ranged in age from 21 to 80 years old. Implicit motives were measured using the Picture Story Exercise (PSE; Smith, 1992). Personality traits and trait facets were measured using the revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R; Costa & McCrae, 1992). The data were analyzed using hierarchical linear regression models that examined age effects, gender effects, and their interactions. No age trends or age by gender interactions were found for any of the variables under investigation. Women were found to have higher levels of need for affiliation and warmth. Methodological recommendations are made for future research in this area.