A brief history of personality and individual differences research in Australia

While there are various accounts describing the development of Australian psychology generally there exists at present no account of the development of personality and individual differences research within Australia specifically. This paper provides an overview of the development of personality and individual differences research within Australia through examining the research interests of the pioneers of Australian psychology. This reveals that Australian psychology from the beginning was, both in theory and practice, chiefly a psychology of personality and individual differences. This chapter highlights key theoretical directions in Australian personality research, as well as noting practical applications of personality and individual differences research to clinical psychology, education and industry. The early contributions from the pioneers of Australian psychology to this field are highlighted, and their impact on later developments within personality and individual differences research discussed.