Task 7 - Situational Personality

Question 1

Cross-situational personality consistency

Answer 1

Traits might not be that visible in single situations but are apparrent when aggregating and creating mean correlatiosn
-> general patterns become visible

Question 2

Within-Person Variability

Answer 2

Extent to which the typical person does not act the same on different occasions

Question 3

Person Argument

Answer 3

Behavior determined by a person’s traits

-> stability of behavior predicted, except for reasonable adaptation to changing circumstances

Question 4

Situation Argument

Answer 4

Immediate situation as primary determinant of behavior

-> less emphasis on personality traits

Question 5

Interactionaism

Answer 5

Situation regarded as primary determinant of behavior

-> personality still as existing: differences between reactions to situations rather than general ways of acting

Question 6

Density-distributions approach

Answer 6

Observing people in daily lives, measuring number of behaviors

Question 7

Density-distributions outcomes

Answer 7

Within-person variability as big as variability across group of people

• > evidence for person argument (people have different central points)
• > individual behaviors similar when aggregated

Question 8

Situation or Person argument?

Answer 8

Both correct:

• everyone acts differently in different situations
• > but people’s center remains stable

Question 9

Personality and affect

Answer 9

Integral component of all Big Five traits in both directions:
-> strongest:
Extraversion: .37 with positive affect
Neuroticism: .33-.65 with negative affect

Question 10

State level

Answer 10

Temporary effects

Question 11

Trait level

Answer 11

Lasting effects

Question 12

Fleeson’s model

Answer 12

People stable long-term but short-term variation

-> differences in state due to environmental and situational influences (negative & positive affect)

Question 13

Main properties of personality

Answer 13

Stability and variability over time
Stability across different contexts
Breadth of personality constructs and predictive validity

Question 14

Within-individual personality variability

Answer 14

Positively a
associated with Neuroticism
-> neuroticism also associated with increased reactivity

Question 15

Personality Transactions

Answer 15

How people select, change, create and construe situations based on their dispositions
-> e.g. extraverted people engaging in social situations more

Question 16

Outcomes personality transactions

Answer 16

High Neuroticism: more often alone
High extraversion: more often with friends
High openness: less often engaged in passive leisure activities
High conscientiousness: more work activities and chores, less leisure activities

Question 17

Age differences in personality-situation transactions

Answer 17

Older: less variation in daily lives

Most transactions not significantly moderated by age of participants

Question 18

Results personality transactions

Answer 18

Personality traits predicted being in, maintaining, and changing to trait-relevant situations