Situationism in psychology: An analysis and a critique.

Abstract

This article critically analyzes the current tendency to account for human behavior largely in terms of the situation in which it occurs. This trend in effect substitutes a more or less behavioristic account of personality for a severely taxed trait conception. Although it is undoubtedly true that behavior is more situation specific than trait theory acknowledged, it is herein argued that situations are more person specific than is commonly recognized. The present article details metaphysical, psychological, and methodological assumptions and biases of situationism which have rendered it inattentive to the importance of the person in personality research. Finally, an interactionisl: account of personality is forwarded as an alternative to both a trait and a situationist position. Some recent and influential accounts of personality have emphasized the importance of the situational determinants of behavior while minimizing the importance of disposi1 Work on this article was begun when I was on sabbatical at Stanford University. Grateful appreciation is extended to Ernest R. Hilgard for his generous moral and financial support throughout the year, the latter under his Grant NIH MH 03859-10 from the National Institute of Mental Health. I would like to extend my thanks to Robert