Personality psychology

Personality psychology is concerned with differences between individuals; it overlaps with developmental and social psychology to some extent. General orientations within personality psychology are the following:
  • Trait theories propose traits as underlying properties; as such traits account for behavioural consistencies and stable individual differences between persons.
  • Situationism argues that behaviour is mainly determined by the situation rather than by internal personality types or traits.
  • Interactionism postulates that observed behaviour is a function of the interaction between the traits of an individual and the specific characteristics of the situation including traits of other persons who are present.

    See also: personality, traits

    Literature: Michener, DeLamater & Schwartz (1986), Mischel (1986),

    Entry by: Susanne Abele

    November 10, 1997
    Direct questions and comments to: Glossary master