Trait theory suggests that personality is stable over time and can predict behavior.

Trait theory suggests that personality is stable over time and can predict behavior.

• A. It is completely malleable
• B. It is random
• C. It is solely shaped by environment
• D. It is inherited, enduring and predictive

Answer: (D)

Trait theory views personality as stable, enduring dispositions that persist over time and shape consistent patterns of behavior across different situations. Because these traits are largely inherited and remain relatively constant, they can be used to predict how a person is likely to behave. That’s why the statement describing personality as inherited, enduring and predictive fits best. The other ideas—seeing personality as completely malleable, random, or shaped only by environment—contradict the idea that stable traits guide consistent behavior.

Trait theory views personality as stable, enduring dispositions that persist over time and shape consistent patterns of behavior across different situations. Because these traits are largely inherited and remain relatively constant, they can be used to predict how a person is likely to behave. That’s why the statement describing personality as inherited, enduring and predictive fits best. The other ideas—seeing personality as completely malleable, random, or shaped only by environment—contradict the idea that stable traits guide consistent behavior.