Situation Selection as a Moderator of Response Consistency and Stability

Abstract

The viableness of introducing into the moderator variable literature a distinction between chosen and imposed situations is addressed in this article. In one study, we examine the relation between recreational activity choices and selected personality traits and the stability of these choices over time. In another study, we examine the cross-situational consistency of affective and behavioral responses within self-rated chosen and imposed situations in subjects' everyday lives. Situational choices were found to be relatively stable over a period of 9 months and to be related in predictable ways to personality dispositions. Distinguishing between chosen and imposed situations produced differences in average cross-situational consistency coefficients, and differences between affective and behavioral responses were also found. Surprisingly, behavior was found to be more consistent within imposed situations, and possible reasons for this finding are discussed. We concluded that there is support for the claim that the self-selection of individuals to situations moderates response consistency and stability. © 1986 American Psychological Association.