Walter Mischel Has Argued That Personality Traits Are Not Particularly

question 257

Multiple Choice

Walter Mischel has argued that personality traits are not particularly useful for predicting a specific behaviour. For example, extraversion doesn't always predict whether someone will go to a party on Saturday night. What do trait theorists argue, to refute Mischel's criticism?

• A) Traits predict aggregate or average behaviour, even if they don't predict all specific instances.
• B) Extraversion isn't useful for predicting social behaviour because it isn't a social trait.
• C) Personality traits are descriptors of attitudes, not of behaviours.
• D) Trait theories are about description, not about explanations for personality.

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Definitions:

Achievement Motive

The drive or desire to accomplish goals and excel in activities, often characterized by persistence and effort in striving for success.

Affiliation Motive

An innate drive to associate with others, create social bonds, and maintain relationships.

Premature Low-Birth-Weight

A condition referring to infants born prematurely with a weight significantly lower than the norm for their gestational age.

Minimally Touched

A description of something that has been handled or affected as little as possible.