Trait-Based Personality Theory, Ontogenic Behavioral Continuity, and Behavior Analysis

Abstract

Behavior analysts can and should but rarely do account for the ontogenic continuity of behavior, thus leaving the field open to the reified, biological-deterministic traits of personality theorists.

This comment is in reaction to:

Roberts, B. W. (2002) “Organizational behavior management and personality psychology: Reunited and it feels so good?” Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 22(2).

Key Words:

• Circular Reification
• Ontogenic Behavior Continuity
• Fatalism
• Biological Determinism
• Trait-Based Personality Theory