Why Am I? The Science of Us 1 - The Early Years (First Episode)

Why Am I? introduces one of the most ambitious studies of humans yet: the Dunedin Study. This first episode focusses on people's earliest years, asking whether clues about a child's future can be found in personality traits. Dunedin Study leaders discuss the five personality groups they suggest can broadly predict if a child will be successful in achieving goals and maintaining relationships as an adult. Interviewees include bungy jump entrepreneur AJ Hackett, whose love of calculated risk puts him in the 'confident' camp. Since launching in 1972, the Dunedin Study team have published  1500+ papers in scientific journals. 

There are personality differences between children that are really terribly consequential. There's something about the characteristic ways in which children behave, think and feel that is going to have huge implications for what happens to them.

– Professor Avshalom Caspi on the five personality groups

Key Cast & Crew

Clayton Carpinter

Cinematographer

Susie Ferguson

Narrator

Mark McNeill

Co-Director, Producer

Irena Dol

Co-Director, Editor

Paul Casserly

Co-Director

Ian Masterton

Sound Recordist