ssessment. The variable-centered approach assesses the same personality variables at different times. The person-centered approach involves an assessment of the degree of consistent patterning for a set of characteristics in the individual over time. Each approach has different consequences, advantages, and disadvantages. It is suggested that a combination of the two approaches would provide a clearer understanding. Findings from a study combining approaches show that people differ from one another in degrees of personality consistency and change over time (Funder, Parke, Tomlinson-Keasey, & Windaman, pp. 50-52).
Personality development is explained differently depending on theory orientation. The psychometric trait approach was popular in psychology during the 1920s and 1930s. People were viewed on dimensions such as friendliness, honesty, conscientiousness, or aggressiveness. Trait theory attempted to dimensionalize and quantify these qualities
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