01:830:338 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Differential Psychology, Personality Psychology, Impulsivity

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

Document Summary

There are meaningful differences between individuals (trait psychology is also called differential psychology) People differ in amounts of traits, and differences can be accurately measured. According to trait psychologists, every personality is the product of a combination of a few basic, primary traits. Research indicates consistency over time for broad traits. Although consistent over time, how a trait is manifested in behavior might change over time. Focus on the rank order differences between people. If situations mainly control how people behave, then the existence or relevance of traits is questionable. Hartshorne and may (1928): low cross-situation consistency is in honesty, helpfulness, self-control. Mischel (1968): personality psychologists should abandon their efforts to explain behavior with traits, focusing instead on situations. Situationism: if behavior varies across situations, then situational differences and not personality traits determine behavior. Mischel"s (1968) critique encouraged debate in personality psychology about the importance of traits compared to situations in causing behavior.