Said personality often changes according to situations, unlike the previous approaches which show consistency. Said trait measures poorly predict actual behavior. Most psychologists today are interactionists, believing in both trait and situation ideas to describe personality.
Research shows low self-esteem sufferers focus on weaknesses, rather than strengths.
500 kids and parents studied late 20's early 30's. It influenced scheduling of major social roles that were later occupied. Higher planful competence showed realistic choices in spouses, occupation and education. Lower planful competence showed unrealistic and less-satisfying jobs and schools. Psychologists use testing to pinpoint exact ideas in personality, not broad ones.