INDIVIDUAL-DIFFERENCES IN SITUATION-BEHAVIOR PROFILES - A TRIPLE TYPOLOGY MODEL

A model is proposed to represent individual differences in situation-b ehavior profiles. The model consists of 3 components: (a) Typologies o f person, situation, and behavior classes; (b) hierarchical relations between the classes of each typology; and (c) a characterization of th e person types in terms of different sets of if(situation class) then (behavior class) rules by which the 3 typologies are linked to one ano ther. A data analysis technique (INDCLAS) is available to induce a tri ple typology model from empirical data. To reveal the psychological me chanisms behind such a model, the classes of the model can be related to situation, behavior, and person features. As a result, person types can be interpreted in terms of systems of cognitive-affective variabl es that mediate between active situation features and behavioral manif estations. This is illustrated with a study on self-reported hostile b ehavior in frustrating situations.