Question

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?

Answer 1

To refute Mischel's criticism, the trait theorists argue that although behavior does vary highly across situations, people maintain some degree of consistency, as well.

Explanation:

• The criticism that Mischel has tried to put up can be deemed to be correct to some degree, but the limitations of Mischel's criticism compromise its authenticity.
• Mischel's criticism fails to take into consideration the 'majority' factor of the studies relating to behavioral traits as he speaks about individuals and not populations collectively.
• He seems more focused on pointing out the lacunas of the trait theory than clarifying the minimal disparity that is prevalent.