Final answer:
The statement regarding the impact of research on personality and behavior over the past three decades is true, reflecting the evolution from trait theory to a more nuanced understanding that includes the Big Five personality dimensions and the influence of culture on personality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that over the past three decades a veritable tsunami of research documenting the powerful effects of personality on behaviour corrected previous assertions regarding the limitations of personality attributions is largely TRUE. Advances in personality psychology have shown that personality traits are important predictors of behavior. The field has evolved from the early days of trait theorists like Gordon Allport, who categorized personality traits into cardinal, central, and secondary traits, to a more modern quantitative approach that outlines the 'Big Five' personality dimensions: conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, openness, and extraversion. Each of these traits has been shown to be relatively stable across an individual's lifespan and influenced by genetics. Furthermore, the importance of understanding the role of the environment, including the effect of culture on personality, has been recognized. For example, collectivist cultures tend to score lower on extroversion compared to individualistic cultures. This body of research corrects earlier limitations in personality psychology by demonstrating the nuanced and significant role personality plays in individual behavior.