Which theory suggests that personality traits remain stable throughout a person's lifetime?

The trait theory of personality is based on the premise that certain characteristics or traits are consistent over time and influence behavior across different situations. This theory posits that these stable traits help predict how individuals will respond to various circumstances throughout their lives.

Trait theorists, such as Gordon Allport, Raymond Cattell, and Hans Eysenck, have emphasized that these traits form the foundation of an individual's personality and appear to emerge in childhood, stabilizing as a person matures into adulthood. This stability allows for a more coherent understanding of an individual's behaviors and emotions over the course of their life.

In contrast, behavioral theories focus on observable behaviors rather than internal traits and emphasize the influence of the environment on behavior. Biological theories investigate the genetic and physiological underpinnings of behavior, which may not specifically address the stability of traits throughout life. Cognitive theories emphasize mental processes and thought patterns rather than the stability of personality traits. Therefore, trait theory explicitly aligns with the concept of personality traits being enduring and consistent across time.