I don't quite get it.. : Personal experiences with the person-oriented approach

Abstract

Why have person-oriented approaches been slow to be embraced by developmental scholars? What is holding back the person-oriented approach? A personal odyssey through the field of person-oriented research illustrates the challenges that confront scholars who use the approach and those who are considering it. Five challenges are identified: (1) terminological confusion; (2) accessibility; (3) resistance to change; (4) over- and misapplication of the approach; and (5) difficulties with hypothesis testing. No easy solutions are offered.