A tendency meets a situation
Consider both a relatively enduring tendency and the demands of a particular setting.
The picture in words
- Person
- Usual patterns can influence behavior.
- Situation
- Opportunities, roles and expectations also matter.
- Behavior
- The observed action occurs in that combination.
Reading the illustration
Keep the person card constant while comparing the two settings. Different roles and expectations can change how a tendency is expressed.
Try a question
How could the same person act differently during a quiet exam and a group celebration?
Show the explanation
The situations invite different actions and impose different expectations. A personality tendency can remain relevant while its expression varies.
Read the sources
- Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/11-4-learning-approachesSelected rendered passages: Self-efficacy subsection.