ABSTRACT
THERE is growing agreement among child psychologists about the value of a bi-dimensional model of personaIity. Although the proposed models differ in details, it is possible to identify two dimensions which recur with extraordinary regularity. The dimension of extraversion cIosely resembles descriptions which have been variously called participation-withdrawal, sociable-isolated, approach-withdrawn, activeinactive. The second (Eysenckian) dimension, neuroticism, would seem to resemble the descriptions of ego-strength/ego-weakness, stableunstable, emotionality and so forth. Bearing in mind the tremendous variations in sampIe selection, test construction and statistical treatment which are to be found in these studies, the consensus of opinion is quite remarkable . It would appear that the 'essence' of personality can survive practically any experimental vibrations. This trend is aptly described by Schaeffer's (1961)phrase-'converging conceptual models' for child behaviour. A similar development has also been noted in studies of adult persona1ity. (Cf. Part I of this book.)
The crystaIIization of opinion among students of both adult and child personality is particularly interesting because, in both cases, the evidence is pointing towards the same two dimensions. This is encouraging and satisfying because it supports the idea of continuity in the growth of personaIity ; it also raises the possibility of a unified theory of child and adult behaviour. The division of attention between child and adult psychology, although necessary, can lead one to regard children and adults as separate species. This convergence of models involving the same dimensions in both children and adults is therefore a reassuring event.
