A Socioecological-Genetic Framework of Culture and Personality: Their Roots, Trends, and Interplay

Culture and personality are two central topics in psychology. Individuals are culturally influenced influencers of culture, yet the research linking culture and personality has been limited and fragmentary. We integrate the literatures on culture and personality with recent advances in socioecology and genetics to formulate the Socioecological-Genetic Framework of Culture and Personality. Our framework not only delineates the mutual constitution of culture and personality but also sheds light on (a) the roots of culture and personality, (b) how socioecological changes partly explain temporal trends in culture and personality, and (c) how genes and culture/socioecology interact to influence personality (i.e., nature x nurture interactions). By spotlighting the roles of socioecology and genetics, our integrative framework advances the understanding of culture and personality.

Automated summary

Culture and personality are two important topics in psychology, but the research linking them has been limited. This study integrates the literatures on culture, personality, socioecology, and genetics to create a framework that explains the mutual constitution of culture and personality, the roots of culture and personality, and the interactions between genes and culture/socioecology. By considering the roles of socioecology and genetics, this framework advances our understanding of culture and personality.