ual models for person-situation interactionism. Others state there is a lack of methodological sophistication to test complex interactional models. Another dimension that further complicates the debate is the issue of time's influence on behavior (Funder, Parke, Tomlinson-Keasey, & Windaman, 1993, pp. 48-49).
Consistence versus change is studied with regard to personality characterization. A person lives in a changing social world and it is thus believed that psychology must study what people do in specific situations at various times in the development process, in order to understand personality. The continual role of the personality in the negotiating of life choices and transitions is studied by operationalizing the temporal and situational dimensions of personality. A life record data constructing life-course interactions of the personality with age-graded roles and social transitions is used in the life-course model of personality development (Funder, Parke, Tomlinson-Keasey, & Windaman, pp. 49-50).
In a study of temporal and situational factors for explosive, undercontrolled children and shy, withdrawn children, in several social roles, long-term coherence of the personalities was observed. Records covered 40 years and for each, role and behavioral outcomes were thought to reflect adult manifestations of childhood personalities. Explosive and shy personalities in childhood were coherent in different life situations across time. Ill-tempered boys experienced adult life disorganization with deteriorating socioeconomic status and erratic work history; ill-tempered women experienced marital relationship deterioration and parenting difficulties. Childhood shyness resulted in predictable adult consequences (Funder, Parke, Tomlinson-Keasey, & Windaman, pp. 49-50).
Different approaches to the study of personality consistency and change include a distinction between variable-centered and person-centered approaches to a...