Situation selection as a moderator of response consistency and stability

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Citation:

Emmons, R. A., & Diener, E. (1986). Situation selection as a moderator of response consistency and stability. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51(5), 1013-1019.

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Abstract:

Addressed the viability of introducing into the moderator variable literature a distinction between chosen and imposed situations in 2 studies with 62 undergraduates. In Study 1, the relation between recreational activity choices and selected personality traits and the stability of these choices over time was examined. In Study 2, the cross-situational consistency of affective and behavioral responses within self-rated chosen and imposed situations in Ss' everyday lives was examined. Situational choices were found to be relatively stable over a period of 9 mo and to be related in predictable ways to personality dispositions. Distinguishing between chosen and imposed situations produced differences in average cross-situational consistency coefficients, and differences between affective and behavioral responses were also found. Behavior was found to be more consistent within imposed situations. It is concluded that there is support for the claim that self-selection of individuals to situations moderates response consistency and stability.

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