Slide 1ObjectivesPersonality TraitsSlide 44 Different Views on Personality Trait-Behavior linkageSlide 6Slide 7The problem & opportunity of variabilityBig 5 Personality State MeasuresTwo different frequency distributions for ExtraversionWhich distribution is more typical?Slide 12Slide 13The problem & opportunity of variabilitySubjective AuthenticitySometimes Acting Extraverted is “Good Enough” (Fleeson)The problem & opportunity of variabilitySlide 18Slide 19Some forms of InteractionismMechanistic Interactionism ExampleMechanistic Interactionism ExampleSome forms of InteractionismSlide 24Slide 25Slide 26Slide 27Slide 28Reciprocal Interactionism: We Interpret SituationsSlide 30Consequences of Everyday Judgments of PersonalityConsequences of Everyday Judgments of PersonalityThe Accuracy of Personality JudgmentThe Accuracy of Personality Judgment: Criteria for AccuracyPersonality Judgment: The Realistic Accuracy ModelThe Accuracy of Personality Judgment: Implications of RAM“Behavioral Residue”Slide 38Accurate Clues for Personality…Inaccurate Cues (biases)…Ended here 2/10Psychology of PersonalityLecture 7 2/10/16Within-Person Variability and InteractionismPersonality Judgment in Daily LifeStephanie Federspiel, Ph.D.1Objectives•Review/extend on concept of personality traits•Clarify the concept of within-person variability and implications of density distributions of behavior (Fleeson articles)•Summarize major theoretical developments from Person-Situation Controversy•Explain interactionism and process approaches to understanding behavior•Overview of personality judgments in daily life (focus on text!)1Personality TraitsCharacteristic patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior that are relatively consistent over time and across situations. (Funder)Focus of this defn. is on regularities in “output”3•A neuropsychic structure having the capacity to render many stimuli functionally equivalent and to initiate and guide equivalent (meaningfully consistent) forms of adaptive and expressive behavior. (Allport)–physiological + causal–affects interpretation/meaning –thematically similar output(s) 44 Different Views on Personality Trait-Behavior linkage1) Traits are just misperceptions (no causality!) 2) Act-Frequency (just a summary)3) Behavioral “dispositions”: Generative mechanisms & behavioral summaries.4) Specific, shared, causal neurophysiological basisThe most common view is that traits involve “internal” dispositions that affect behavior! Attention patternsEmotional responseThoughtsExpectations“Internal Mechanisms” filter, process, & outputLOWAGREEABLENESSDevelopmental “Equifinality”There is probably more than 1 contributing mechanism or substrateThe problem & opportunity of variability•Traits refer to consistent individual differences (inter-individual variation, diffs between individuals)•Much within –person variability exists, too (intra-individual variation, behavioral inconsistency) This fact ignited the person-situation debate.•The density distribution approach to behavior records and quantifies the frequency with which one person shows different levels or degree of a trait behavior.Big 5 Personality State MeasuresIn the last 20 minutes my behavior was…1 2 3 4 5 6 7(not at all) (very much)•Extraversion: talkative, assertive, bold, energetic, shy (r)•Agreeableness: cooperative, trustful, kind, distrustful (r), rude (r) Conscientiousnessorganized, careful, steady, conscientious, undependable (r)•Emotional Stability (reverse of Neuroticism)Imperturbable; touchy, temperamental, irritable, insecure (all r) •Openness creative, intellectual, philosophical, uncreative (r), unimaginative (r)10Two different frequency distributions for ExtraversionFleeson, 2004 (Figure 1)Central PointCentral PointRange11Which distribution is more typical?Central PointCentral PointRange12 “Central Points” for individuals are highly correlated across weeks: r = .90Demonstration of effect size relatedto correlation between Central PointsWeek 1Central Low E (week 2)Central High E(Week 2)CentralLow E50 + (r*100)/2= 9550 - (r*100)/2= 5100CentralHigh E50 - (r*100)/2= 550 + (r*100)/2= 95100100 100 200BESD for r = .9014The problem & opportunity of variability(1) A person’s consistency/inconsistency is reliable. (it’s also related to judgability!) More consistent: + E, + A, + C, - N (2) Most people feel more “authentic” when their behavior is in the growth-oriented or positive direction of traits (+E, + C, + A, - N).Subjective Authenticity1 2 3 4 5 6 7(not at all) (very much)During the last 10 minutes…•I was my true self.•I felt authentic in the way I acted.•I felt like I was really being me.Sometimes Acting Extraverted is “Good Enough” (Fleeson)Positive Affect17The problem & opportunity of variability(3) Situations matter, and are not the same for all! psychologically similar situations = similar BBenefits of the Person-Situation Controversy: (1) Increased evidence for relative importance of traits; search for basis/mechanisms by which they affect behavior.(2) More Emphasis on “characteristic adaptations”•Beliefs, interpretations•Goals, Regulatory strategies•Sense of identity(3) Models of person + situation effects, “Interactionism”Behavior = f (Personality X Situation)Theory + Models describing how the interactions work.Similar issues are addressed in developmental models!1819 Interactionism: Persons + Situations matter and are not completely independent influences. We experience different “situations” because of(1) Selection effects(2) Perception/Interpretation effects(3) Evocation and Manipulation20Some forms of Interactionism1. Mechanistic Interaction (older view) --In what specific situations do traits matter? Proposal:Engaging events: related to goals, emotions “Weaker” situations: fewer rules/scripts?21Mechanistic Interactionism Example•Neuroticism explains differences in negative emotion following MINOR stressors, but not MAJOR stressors. •Example: Larsen, Diener, & Emmons (1986) diary study.22Mechanistic Interactionism Example•Extraversion leads to differences in preference for feeling happy before effortful tasks, but not before easy tasks.•Example: Tamir (2009) laboratory experiment Trait-consistent self-regulation of emotion23Some