Cited by 649Personality Traits and PsychologyPsychological Testing and AssessmentPersonality Disorders and Psychopathology

Moving Personality Beyond the Person-Situation Debate: The Challenge and the Opportunity of Within-Person Variability

Fleeson, William·2004·Current Directions in Psychological Science

Abstract

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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Crossref · 10.1111/j.0963-7214.2004.00280.x

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Authors
Fleeson, W.
Affiliations
Wake Forest University (US)
Corresponding author
Fleeson, William
Venue
Current Directions in Psychological Science
Published
2004-04
Volume
13
Issue
2
Pages
83-87
ISSN
  • 0963-7214 (ISSN-L)
  • 1467-8721
OpenAlex
W2111721164
Cited by
649
References
22
Citations by year
2026: 20 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 27 · 2023: 31 · 2022: 37 · 2021: 33 · 2020: 84 · 2019: 38 · 2018: 33 · 2017: 33 · 2016: 30 · 2015: 39 · 2014: 28 · 2013: 41 · 2012: 24
FWCI
14.08
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Current Directions in Psychological Science (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Psychological Testing and Assessment
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Disorders and Psychopathology
Keywords
person-situation debate, personality traits, trait stability, behavioral variability

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