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Although Jan would be described as very extroverted, she will be more extroverted at a party than when she is attending a church service. This observation supports the concept of

a. situational fixations.
b. behavioral genetic determinants.
c. trait-situation interaction.
d. possible selves."

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The correct option is c. trait-situation interaction.

The concept best supported by the observation of Jan's varying levels of extroverted behavior in different social settings is c. trait-situation interaction, which acknowledges that both personality traits and situational factors influence behavior.

Step-by-step explanation:

The observation that Jan, who is very extroverted, displays different levels of extroverted behaviors in different situations, such as being more extroverted at a party than at a church service, supports the concept of c. trait-situation interaction. This concept reflects the understanding that behavior is influenced by both individual traits and situational factors. While Jan's personality is extroverted, the context of the environment she is in influences how that trait is expressed.

In social psychology, this illustrates the complex dynamic between dispositional attributes, like personality traits, and situational influences on behavior. It highlights why we might commit the fundamental attribution error, where we overemphasize personality traits while underestimating situational factors when observing others. Understanding the role of situational contexts helps explain why even people with strong traits might behave differently across various situations, as opposed to always acting consistently with their traits.

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