CONSISTENCY OF PERSONALITY (Consistency Paradox) by Katie Jung (KyungHee Graduate School of International Legal Affairs) Oct. 12, 2004

What is Personality? Definition of Personality Definition of Personality 1. The complex of set psychological qualities that influence a person’s characteristic patterns of behavior across different situations and time. 1. The complex of set psychological qualities that influence a person’s characteristic patterns of behavior across different situations and time. Focal issue: How do personality and situational influences combine to lead to behavior?

Cross-Situational Consistency Consistency paradox Consistency paradox While personality ratings are consistent across time and observer, behavioral ratings across situation are not very consistent Issue: Specific behavioral traits vary by the nature of the situation. Issue: Specific behavioral traits vary by the nature of the situation. Psychological features of a situation are relevant to specific traits Psychological features of a situation are relevant to specific traits e.g. behavior in threatening situations will be associated with harm avoidance or anxiety traits. e.g. behavior in threatening situations will be associated with harm avoidance or anxiety traits.

Consistency Paradox The paradox is that although lay people believe that behavior is consistent across situation, psychologists find it difficult to demonstrate. Two possible reasons. The paradox is that although lay people believe that behavior is consistent across situation, psychologists find it difficult to demonstrate. Two possible reasons. 1) lay people are wrong and people are inconsistent 1) lay people are wrong and people are inconsistent 2) psychologists have been ineffective in demonstrating consistency 2) psychologists have been ineffective in demonstrating consistency

Lay people are wrong Physical appearance, voice, situations make us see a person as more similar than they are Physical appearance, voice, situations make us see a person as more similar than they are Dispositional attribution error: tendency to attribute behavior to a person’s character rather than situation. Dispositional attribution error: tendency to attribute behavior to a person’s character rather than situation. Experimental demonstrations: Jones and Harris(1967), Gilbert and Jones (1986), Ross et al (1977) Experimental demonstrations: Jones and Harris(1967), Gilbert and Jones (1986), Ross et al (1977)

Psychologists not measuring not properly Allport argument that different behaviors may be internally consistent. Allport argument that different behaviors may be internally consistent. Block criticizes the review of Mischel as biased and focusing on poor studies Block criticizes the review of Mischel as biased and focusing on poor studies Epstein and Rushton and reliability Epstein and Rushton and reliability Mischel and Peake’s conscientiousness study and rely to reliability criticism Mischel and Peake’s conscientiousness study and rely to reliability criticism

Psychologists not measuring not properly Beem and Allen (1974) and moderator variables Beem and Allen (1974) and moderator variables Snyder (1987) and self-monitoring, high self monitors more likely to show behavioral inconsistency. Snyder (1987) and self-monitoring, high self monitors more likely to show behavioral inconsistency. Funder and 0.4 is not bad, comparison with situational effects. Funder and 0.4 is not bad, comparison with situational effects.

Research Methods Longitudinal v. Cross sectional studies Longitudinal v. Cross sectional studies a. Longitudinal: Same group followed over time a. Longitudinal: Same group followed over time b. Cross-sectional: Different groups, different ages, tested once b. Cross-sectional: Different groups, different ages, tested once ( One of basic issues in Developmental Psychology) ( One of basic issues in Developmental Psychology)

The Cross-Sectional method Definition by Baltes (1968): “Samples of different ages are observed on the same dependent variable once at the same time of measurement” (two or more cohorts are tested at one time to see if differences exist across ages) Definition by Baltes (1968): “Samples of different ages are observed on the same dependent variable once at the same time of measurement” (two or more cohorts are tested at one time to see if differences exist across ages) Age differences may be confounded with differences in generations or cohorts. Age differences may be confounded with differences in generations or cohorts.

The Cross-Sectional method Observes people of different ages at one point in time Observes people of different ages at one point in time Compares performances of different age groups Compares performances of different age groups (+) Tells how performances changes (develops) with age (+) Tells how performances changes (develops) with age (+) Quick & inexpensive, points out developmental trends (+) Quick & inexpensive, points out developmental trends (-) Provides no information about change over time in individuals (-) Provides no information about change over time in individuals (-) Confounded by cohort effects (-) Confounded by cohort effects

Longitudinal method Defined by Baltes : “One sample is observed several times on the same dependent variable at different age levels, and therefore by definition at different times of measurement” Defined by Baltes : “One sample is observed several times on the same dependent variable at different age levels, and therefore by definition at different times of measurement” One group of individuals within cohort is tested at least twice over time. One group of individuals within cohort is tested at least twice over time. Cook and Campbell (1979) would define this method as time-series design Cook and Campbell (1979) would define this method as time-series design

Longitudinal method Observe people of one age group over time Observe people of one age group over time Watch a single set of people ‘grow’ Watch a single set of people ‘grow’ Describes age changes Describes age changes (+) can link early behavior to later behavior (+) can link early behavior to later behavior (+) individual differences in aging (how individuals are alike & how they are different in the way they develop or age) (+) individual differences in aging (how individuals are alike & how they are different in the way they develop or age) (-)May actually be time or measurements (historical effects) (-)May actually be time or measurements (historical effects) (-) Time consuming, expensive, subjects ‘drop out’, retest effects (-) Time consuming, expensive, subjects ‘drop out’, retest effects