Problem 7

Question 1

When assessing the differences among people in their tendencies to behave in ways related to a certain trait, the context of the situation matters a great deal.

But why is the situation not sufficient enough to assess one personality trait, meaning why can’t we guess how a person will behave in a situation, based on how he/she behaved in a different situation ?

Answer 1

People still differ consistently in their overall level of a given trait, as observed across many situations

–> important to assess peoples overall patterns of behavior

e.g.: effect of aggregating

Question 2

Within person variability

Answer 2

Occurs when the same person acts very differently on different occasions

Question 3

Person argument

Answer 3

Suggests that due to the fact that behavior is determined in large part by a persons traits, a given individual will act similarly much of the time

Question 4

Situation argument

Answer 4

Suggests that due to the fact that the immediate situation is the primary determinant of behavior, a given individual will act very differently on different occasions

Question 5

Interactionism

Answer 5

Suggests that the processes whereby people react to changing situations should be assessed + personality consists of the differences between individuals in how they react to situations

–> finds middle ground between situationists + personists, BUT puts more emphasis on situationists

Question 6

Density-distributions approach

Answer 6

Involves

a) observing people as they conduct their daily lives
b) measuring large numbers of their behaviors in a manner that allows their similarity to be assessed

–> used to determine how differently the typical person acts on different occasions

Question 7

Fleeson’s whole trait model

Answer 7

Suggests that personality traits are stable distributions of momentary states of any of the big 5

–> shifts occur in response to situational or personal events

Question 8

Within person fluctuations for most of the Big 5 are attributable to fluctuations in affect/emotional states.

How does this show in any of the big 5 traits ?

Answer 8

1. Extraversion + Neuroticism are strongly related to affect
2. Conscientiousness is independent of affect, more dependent on the situation

Question 9

Personality state

Answer 9

Refers to short-term variation in a personality construct

–> doesn’t disqualify the personality trait

Question 10

What are possible factors that contribute to within person variability ?

Answer 10

1. Life experiences

e.g.: work life different than private life

2. Approach or avoidance nature of an event

• will trigger the cognitive, affective + behavioral content of avoidance and approach-oriented personality, meaning your dispositions will determine how you will react in any given situation

Question 11

Personality situation transactions

Answer 11

People create/shape their environment based on their personality traits/dispositions

ex.: extraverted - engage in more social situations

Question 12

Why do people choose + create their daily environments + situations according to their personality ?

Answer 12

Because these environments are compatible with their behavioral dispositions (Personality)

–> thus, one might also change situations from incompatible to compatible when uncomfortable

Question 13

Each trait of the big 5 is associated/compatible with a certain type of behavior.

Which are those ?

Answer 13

1. Neuroticism

• being alone + more intense negative effect

2. Extraversion

• being with friends

3. Openness to experience

• engaging less often in passive leisure activities (TV)

4. Conscientiousness

• tenacious goal pursuit + high task orientation

5. Agreeableness

• being more cooperative + avoiding conflicts

Question 14

Is age significant for personality-situation transactions becoming stronger ?

Is it a moderator ?

Answer 14

No,

it was first assumed that they might increase with age due to increasing selectivity, but this wasn’t the case

–> BUT: age differences occurred in situations with few constraints

Question 15

The following graph is consistent with the … view.

This suggests a … within variation.

Answer 15

1. Personist
2. Small

Question 16

Ecological momentary assessment task

(EMA)

Answer 16

Collecting info based on self reports

–> participants have to report multiple times a day how they feel etc, which then results in a density report

Question 17

The following graph describes the … view.

This suggests a … within variation.

Answer 17

1. Situationist
2. High

Question 18

The following graph describes the … view.

This suggests a … within variation.

Answer 18

1. Personist
2. Small

Question 19

The following barcharts describe the … view.

This suggests a … within variation.

Answer 19

1. Situationist
2. High