01:830:338 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Effect Size, Stanford Prison Experiment, Differential Psychology

• School: Rutgers University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: 01:830:338
• Professor: L.Stein

Document Summary

Studying the trait approach: relies on correlational designs (traits should be able to predict behavior, focus is on individual differences. Personality consistency/inconsistency- individual is consistent across situations in their behavior related to the trait/ inconsistent across situations. Cross-situational consistency of traits- if situations control how people behave, then the existence or relevance of traits questionable. Walter michel- personality psychologists should abandon their efforts to explain behavior with traits, focusing instead on situations. Situationalism- if behavior varies across situations, then situational differences and not personality traits determine behavior. Aggregation- single behavior or occasion may be influenced by extenuating circumstances unrelated to personality. Preference for consistency- better to have a consistent personality. Interactionism- effect of a personality variable may depend on the situation or vide versa (ex. Selection- tendency to choose or select situations in which one finds oneself, as a function of personality. Situational specificity- certain situations can provoke behavior that is out of character for an individual.