Journal
CURRENT DIRECTIONS IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE
Volume 13, Issue 2, Pages 83-87Publisher
BLACKWELL PUBLISHERS
DOI: 10.1111/j.0963-7214.2004.00280.x
Keywords
intraindividual variability; personality; person-situation; debate; interactionism; behavior
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The person-situation debate is coming to an end because both sides of the debate have turned out to be right. With respect to momentary behaviors, the situation side is right: Traits do not predict, describe, or influence behavior very strongly; the typical individual's behavior is highly variable; and a process approach is needed to explain that variability. With respect to trends (e.g., a person's typical way of acting), however, the person side of the debate is right: Traits predict and describe behavior very well over long stretches of time, behavior is highly stable, and a trait approach is needed to explain differences between people. Thus, Proponents of both sides are right and should continue to conduct fruitful research, and both viewpoints are necessary for a full understanding of personality. The next exciting steps in personality psychology will include integrating these two approaches in the same research paradigm.
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