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Ecological affordances as stages for trait expression

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 June 2026

Isabel Thielmann Open the ORCID record for Isabel Thielmann [Opens in a new window] ,
Matthias Burghart Open the ORCID record for Matthias Burghart [Opens in a new window]  and
Nicole Casali Open the ORCID record for Nicole Casali [Opens in a new window]
Isabel Thielmann*
Affiliation:
Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law, Freiburg, Germany i.thielmann@csl.mpg.de
Matthias Burghart
Affiliation:
Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law, Freiburg, Germany i.thielmann@csl.mpg.de
Nicole Casali
Affiliation:
Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law, Freiburg, Germany i.thielmann@csl.mpg.de
*
*Corresponding author.
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Abstract

Ko and Neuberg conceptualize ecological affordances as life-stage-dependent opportunities and threats for goal attainment. We extend their framework by highlighting the role of personality traits in affordance enactment, showing that enduring dispositions shape how individuals respond to affordances, even as developmental goals change. Integrating trait development and life-history processes reveals complementary pathways for person-environment interactions across the life span. This perspective advances Ko and Neuberg’s framework by linking functional, goal-driven accounts with systematic individual differences.

Information

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 49 , 2026 , e82
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press

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