Passage
Trait theorists believe that all people have certain traits, or characteristic ways of thinking and behaving, that largely account for personality. Psychobehavioral researchers conducted a pair of studies to determine whether individuals could intentionally alter one of their respective personality traits.In Study 1, participants were asked to select one personality trait they wished to increase from among the following: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, or emotional stability. Participants first completed a short survey that measured baseline personality trait expression scores (pretest). Participants in the experimental group (n = 125) then developed their own intervention plan intended to increase the selected personality trait whereas the control group (n = 125) did not implement any changes to daily activities. At the end of the study, all participants completed the same self-report survey to reassess their personality trait expression scores (posttest). Results were calculated by subtracting pretest from posttest scores for each person (change score), and then comparing the mean change scores for the experimental and control groups. Results showed significantly greater change scores for experimental group participants who elected to increase their emotional stability, relative to control subjects who selected this trait. The change scores did not differ significantly between the experimental and control groups that selected any of the other four traits (ie, openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, or agreeableness).In Study 2, the same basic methodology was used on a new cohort with several adjustments to the Study 1 design. Instead of asking participants in the experimental condition to formulate their own intervention plans, licensed therapists trained participants in practices to redirect thought processes, emotional responses, and behaviors associated with the selected personality trait. The experimental group participants carried out these practices for the course of the study whereas the control group participants implemented no changes. In contrast to the self-reports used in Study 1, personality trait expression scores (both pre and post) were determined by assessments made by researchers. Results from Study 2 showed significantly greater increases in all five personality trait expression scores for experimental versus control participants.
-A trait theorist would most likely challenge the study findings described in the passage by asserting that researchers failed to assess:

Question

Passage
Trait theorists believe that all people have certain traits, or characteristic ways of thinking and behaving, that largely account for personality.  Psychobehavioral researchers conducted a pair of studies to determine whether individuals could intentionally alter one of their respective personality traits.In Study 1, participants were asked to select one personality trait they wished to increase from among the following: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, or emotional stability.  Participants first completed a short survey that measured baseline personality trait expression scores (pretest).  Participants in the experimental group (n = 125) then developed their own intervention plan intended to increase the selected personality trait whereas the control group (n = 125) did not implement any changes to daily activities.  At the end of the study, all participants completed the same self-report survey to reassess their personality trait expression scores (posttest).  Results were calculated by subtracting pretest from posttest scores for each person (change score), and then comparing the mean change scores for the experimental and control groups.  Results showed significantly greater change scores for experimental group participants who elected to increase their emotional stability, relative to control subjects who selected this trait.  The change scores did not differ significantly between the experimental and control groups that selected any of the other four traits (ie, openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, or agreeableness).In Study 2, the same basic methodology was used on a new cohort with several adjustments to the Study 1 design.  Instead of asking participants in the experimental condition to formulate their own intervention plans, licensed therapists trained participants in practices to redirect thought processes, emotional responses, and behaviors associated with the selected personality trait.  The experimental group participants carried out these practices for the course of the study whereas the control group participants implemented no changes.  In contrast to the self-reports used in Study 1, personality trait expression scores (both pre and post) were determined by assessments made by researchers.  Results from Study 2 showed significantly greater increases in all five personality trait expression scores for experimental versus control participants.
-A trait theorist would most likely challenge the study findings described in the passage by asserting that researchers failed to assess:

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

11ecba2d_0ca0_7688_a3bf_5d0af8144056_MD0008_00 Trait theorists attempt to explain personality in terms of observable personality characteristics, or traits, using objective criteria. Traits can be defined as characteristic ways one often perceives situations, feels, or acts. There are several different trait theories, based on a greater or lesser number of traits. The studies in the passage use the "big five" personality factors, also known as the five-factor model (FFM). Trait theories are successful in objectively organizing behaviors into clearly defined groups, such as "introverted," "agreeable," or "conscientious." These theories are also relatively accurate at predicting an individual's average behavior over time. For example, someone who reliably falls into the "introvert" category will also demonstrate predictable behaviors, such as generally avoiding parties (average behavior). However, trait theories are not very successful at predicting specific behaviors because they do not account for the impact of situational factors on behavior. For example, an introvert who generally avoids parties would be more likely to attend his wife's retirement party (specific behavior). Furthermore, trait theories fail to explain why and how traits develop. Trait theorists would argue that personality traits are unlikely to change in a relatively short time frame. Therefore, they would most likely question whether the findings reflected transient alterations in personality during intervention or permanent changes in innate personality traits. (Choices A and C) Trait theories do not consider situational factors on behavior, so a trait theorist is unlikely to be interested in analyzing which interventions are most effective or how human interactions influence personality change. (Choice D) Trait theories do not consider why and how individuals develop the traits that they do, so a trait theorist is unlikely to be interested in analyzing the reasons each participant selected the personality trait chosen. Educational objective: Trait theory suggests that personality is the result of a combination of traits that are relatively stable over time. Trait theory does not account for external influences on personality or for the reasons underlying personality traits.

Passage Trait Theorists Believe That All People Have Certain Traits, or or Characteristic