COMM 251 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Spatial Ability, Susan Cain, Trait Theory
Document Summary
Relatively enduring psychological characteristics that influence the way an individual interacts with his/her environment, and how he/she feels, thinks, and behaves. Stable people don"t change that drastically over a lifetime. Observable you can actually see how someone engages, and see what type of personality they might have. Variable variability does occur on a daily basis, people adjust based don context and personality. Disposition ob is a product of innate tendencies. Situation not individual traits, its actually the context/situation (competitive, rather than innate trait: two effects: Situational strength: traits have a stronger effect in weak contexts (ambiguous expectations of how to act) Trait activation theory: usefulness of traits depend on the situation, measuring personality. Most accurate method: observer ratings survey (which provide an independent assessment of personality) Interviews are a poor method for gauging personality: helpful in hiring decisions. How much does personality relate to job satisfaction: approx 20% (based on measure of big 5)
