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Trait construct validity: Covariation assessment vs. averaging

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Date Issued:
1988
Summary:
Two experiments were conducted to assess subject accuracy in the attribution of trait constructs. It was hypothesized that subjects attributed trait constructs by averaging behavior across time, not by assessing covariation of behavior. In Experiment 1 subjects were given raw sets of baseball batting statistics and asked to attribute ability to the hitters. Major findings included that subjects were accurate in their attributions. In Experiment 2, subjects were given behavioral scores to use to place people on a trait scale. Varying numbers of scores were presented. The hypothesis that subjects would become increasingly accurate in their attributions as more information was gained was supported in the data. Other findings included that as more information was given, subjects viewed the behavior as more dependent on the situation. The findings are discussed in defense of the use of trait constructs in trait attribution.
Title: Trait construct validity: Covariation assessment vs. averaging.
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Name(s): Pedersen, Ginger Lee.
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Monson, Thomas C., Thesis advisor
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Issuance: monographic
Date Issued: 1988
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 72 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: Two experiments were conducted to assess subject accuracy in the attribution of trait constructs. It was hypothesized that subjects attributed trait constructs by averaging behavior across time, not by assessing covariation of behavior. In Experiment 1 subjects were given raw sets of baseball batting statistics and asked to attribute ability to the hitters. Major findings included that subjects were accurate in their attributions. In Experiment 2, subjects were given behavioral scores to use to place people on a trait scale. Varying numbers of scores were presented. The hypothesis that subjects would become increasingly accurate in their attributions as more information was gained was supported in the data. Other findings included that as more information was given, subjects viewed the behavior as more dependent on the situation. The findings are discussed in defense of the use of trait constructs in trait attribution.
Identifier: 14441 (digitool), FADT14441 (IID), fau:11241 (fedora)
Note(s): Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1988.
Subject(s): Personality
Trait intercorrelations
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/14441
Sublocation: Digital Library
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.