Explorations in behavioral consistency: properties of persons, situations, and behaviors

J Pers Soc Psychol. 1991 May;60(5):773-94. doi: 10.1037//0022-3514.60.5.773.

Abstract

In a study exploring the cross-situational consistency of behavior, 140 undergraduate Ss were video-taped in each of 3 laboratory settings, and personality descriptions of these Ss were obtained from friends and acquaintances. Analyses focused on the degree to which Ss maintained consistent patterns of behavior across laboratory settings and between these settings and daily life. The following conclusions were reached: (a) Behavior can exhibit impressive consistency at the level of psychological meaning, (b) psychological properties of situations can be detected from their behavioral effects, (c) cross-situational consistency and discriminativeness are independent, and (d) some behaviors are more consistent than others.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Individuality*
  • Male
  • Personality Assessment*
  • Q-Sort
  • Social Behavior*
  • Social Environment*