Identify a true statement about Walter Mischel’s view on personality.He asserted that behavior is discriminative.He stated that the experiences of a common past have made a deep, permanent impression on the human mind.He proposed that perfection is the key motivator for individuals.He believed that the human sexual drive was the main determinant of personality development.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: He asserted that behavior is discriminative.
Explanation
Walter Mischel was a prominent psychologist best known for his critique of traditional personality theories and for his own contributions to understanding personality and behavior. One of his key assertions was that behavior is discriminative, meaning it varies significantly across different situations. This view challenged the classical trait theory, which suggests that individuals possess stable personality traits that predict behavior across all contexts.
According to Mischel, people do not behave consistently in all situations. Instead, their actions are influenced by the specifics of the environment or context. For example, a person may act outgoing and assertive in a familiar social setting but reserved and quiet in a formal or unfamiliar one. Mischel emphasized the importance of “if-then” behavioral patterns—that is, if a person encounters a certain situation, then they are likely to respond in a particular way. This approach highlighted the situational variability of behavior and contributed to what became known as the person-situation debate in personality psychology.
The other statements listed are associated with different theorists and do not accurately reflect Mischel’s views:
- The idea that “the experiences of a common past have made a deep, permanent impression on the human mind” aligns more with Carl Jung’s collective unconscious.
- The belief that “perfection is the key motivator for individuals” is reflective of Alfred Adler’s theory, particularly his concept of striving for superiority or perfection.
- The notion that “the human sexual drive was the main determinant of personality development” is rooted in Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory.
In contrast, Mischel focused on cognitive-affective processing systems and how individual differences in perception, interpretation, and response to situations shape personality. His work laid the foundation for more dynamic and interactionist models of personality, bridging gaps between behaviorism and cognitive psychology.
