The Role of Theory in Personality Research

In personality psychology, theory provides the conceptual scaffolding needed to understand the origins, development, and functioning of individual differences. Without theory, personality research risks becoming a catalog of findings rather than a cumulative science. This chapter examines the critical role of theory in personality research. I begin by outlining three essential components of a strong theory, as recently articulated by Eronen and Bringmann (2021). Using personality trait development as a focal area, I then assess the current state of theory-building in light of these criteria. This evaluation highlights both the progress achieved and the challenges that remain, offering insights into the core question: What does it take to develop strong, testable, and meaningful psychological theories in personality science?