Unveiling an exclusive link: Predicting behavior with personality, situation perception, and affect in a preregistered experience sampling study.

Abstract

Affect and situation perception are intertwined in any given situation, but the extent to which both predict behavior jointly and uniquely has not yet been systematically examined so far. Using two studies with experience sampling methodology (ESM), we examine how trait-like variables (Big Six, trait affect, general situation experience) and state-like variables (momentary affect, happiness, and situation perception) account for variance in self-reported behavioral states of the Big Six. In Study 1, we re-analyzed data from Sherman, Rauthmann, Brown, Serfass, and Jones (2015) and found that situation perception explained variance in self-reported behavior in logically coherent ways, but only after considering happiness as an additional predictor. These results were replicated in pre-registered Study 2, in which positive and negative affect were additionally assessed as distinct variables. Based on both studies, we conclude that personality traits, affect, and situation perception contribute uniquely to the explanation of self-reported behavior in daily life. Importantly, situation perceptions and affect do overlap, but they are neither the same nor redundant with each other. Indeed, theoretically justified and logically coherent links between situation perceptions and behavioral states remain intact once affect is controlled for, while the links not predicted by theory disappear. These results have implications for personality theories as well as appraisal theories of emotion.

Person-situation dynamics in educational contexts: A self- and other-rated experience sampling study of teachers’ states, traits, and situations

“…Our findings suggest that although we did observe several cross-rater effects, the presence of same-source bias (of both self-and other-ratings) may indeed be highly likely in experience sampling studies (see, e.g., Table 5). While many researchers (e.g., Horstmann et al, 2020) have raised awareness to such biases, our study is among the first to make this potential issue actually visible. However, an open question remains whether this is an actual bias because of the rating source, or whether this pattern may in fact reflect meaningful variance.…”

“…This way, this particular setting allows for a fundamental methodological improvement in research on person-situation dynamics. Second, extending research on person-situation dynamics-which is typically carried out with student samples (e.g., Horstmann et al, 2020;Rauthmann et al, 2015c;Sherman et al, 2015)-to an applied context may also significantly advance our knowledge on how such dynamics between persons and situations present themselves in an education setting. Such findings may be especially relevant for researchers on an applied level.…”

“…can be seen as more random situations in which one can of course expect much more variability. Fifth and finally, recent studies have examined the extent to which within-person fluctuations in both situational perception and personality states may overlap with fluctuations in affect (Horstmann et al, 2020;Horstmann & Ziegler, 2019;Wilson et al, 2017). Wilson et al (2017), for example, demonstrated that situation variables predicted variance in personality states after accounting for fluctuations in affect, although only to a limited extent.…”

“…Wilson et al (2017), for example, demonstrated that situation variables predicted variance in personality states after accounting for fluctuations in affect, although only to a limited extent. More recently, Horstmann et al (2020) found that personality traits, affect, and situation perception each contribute uniquely in explaining self-reported behavior (i.e., personality states). Taken together these findings suggest that although personality states and situation perception may correlate with affect, they are more than only affect.…”

Person-Situation Dynamics in Educational Contexts: A Self- and Other-Rated Experience Sampling Study of Teachers’ States, Traits, and Situations

“…Fifth and finally, recent studies have examined the extent to which within-person fluctuations in both situational perception and personality states may overlap with fluctuations in affect (Horstmann et al, 2020;Wilson et al, 2017). Wilson et al (2017), for example, demonstrated that situation variables predicted variance in personality states after accounting for fluctuations in affect, although only to a limited extent.…”