Ch.4 - Personality Traits, Situations, and Behaviors Flashcards
The Trait Approach
- Focuses on correlational designs
2. Focuses on individual differences
Consistency Over Time
There is consistency over time for broad traits, but how a trait is manifested in behavior may change.
Cross Situational Consistency
How behavior remains similar over situations
Mischel
Behavior cannot be explained by traits, but by situations
Situationalism
If behavior varies across situations, then situational differences is what determines behavior and not traits
Situationist Arguments
- Predictability is low for what a person will do based on personality (0.3-0.4 correlation)
- People are inconsistent, situations control behaviors
Response to Situationist Arguments
- Mischel used selective resources, never left the lab
2. 0.4 correlation is not small
Functional Equivalency
Individuals behaviors are similar in deeper meanings, the values remain constant
Integration
Personality and situations interact to produce behaviors
Situational Specificity
Certain situations can provoke behavior out of character
Strong Situation
Situations where nearly all people react in similar ways
Weak Situations
Personality has a stronger influence on behavior
Interactionism
- effect of a personality may depend on the situation
- certain people tend to find themselves in different situations
- people can change the situations they are in
Selection
Tendency to choose or select situations in which people see themselves
Evocation
Certain personality traits may evoke specific responses from others
