Conceptualizing and Studying Characteristics, Units, and Fits of Persons and Environments: A Coherent Synthesis
- 29 September 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in European Journal of Personality
- Vol. 36 (3), 293-318
- https://doi.org/10.1177/08902070211048728
Abstract
Based on a perspective on personality coherence as the extent to which personality-relevant characteristics are differentiated and integrated within a person in his or her environment, we propose a synthesis that builds on and harmonizes existing and partly conflicting theories, methodological approaches, and empirical findings. This understanding of personality coherence needs clear definitions of person and environment characteristics. We define traits as characteristics of the person, adaptations as characteristics of the person-in-contexts, and states as characteristics of the person-in-situations. Thus, our synthesis involves concepts of environments and person-environment units. Next, we provide testable criteria to differentiate characteristics of persons from characteristics of person-environment units and to identify dispositional traits for a narrow-sense perspective on personality coherence. We raise awareness of the importance of fit between (profiles of) person and environment characteristics for an understanding of the integrated uniqueness of persons in their environments. We outline implications of this broader perspective on personality coherence for personality development, self-regulation, social integration, well-being, and psychological interventions. Lastly, we conclude that the analysis of an individual’s uniqueness and personality differences requires information about how well-defined, well-differentiated, well-integrated, and well-operationalized person(ality) variables are actually expressed in, or interact and transact with, the individual environment.Funding Information
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (220286500, 272981829, 458609264)
This publication has 145 references indexed in Scilit:
- Targeting the Good TargetPersonality and Social Psychology Review, 2013
- Patterns and sources of continuity and change of energetic and temporal aspects of temperament in adulthood: A longitudinal twin study of self- and peer reports.Developmental Psychology, 2013
- A comparison of four approaches to account for method effects in latent state–trait analyses.Psychological Methods, 2012
- Coherence of Personal Narratives Across the Lifespan: A Multidimensional Model and Coding MethodJournal of Cognition and Development, 2011
- Life Events as Environmental States and Genetic Traits and the Role of Personality: A Longitudinal Twin StudyBehavior Genetics, 2011
- Intra-individual change in personality stability and ageJournal of Research in Personality, 2010
- Sociogenomic Personality PsychologyJournal of Personality, 2008
- Automatic Thoughts and Cognitive Restructuring in Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy for Social Anxiety DisorderCognitive Therapy and Research, 2007
- The integrated trait–state modelJournal of Research in Personality, 2007
- Personality Plasticity After Age 30Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 2006