Person-Specific State Consistency as a Defining Property of Personality: A Critical Analysis and Re-evaluation

Consistencies in how and what a person thinks, feels, enacts, and wants (i.e., momentary states) lie at the core of personality definitions and thus at the heart of personality psychology. Unfortunately, the systematic conceptualization and examination of state consistencies has stagnated after the person-situation debate. Moreover, past research has predominantly focused on consistencies of individual differences, neglecting consistencies that play out in the life of the individual. While the study of between-person consistencies provides evidence for the existence of personality characteristics, we argue that person- specific within-person consistencies are necessary to draw inferences about a person’s individuality. To reignite the examination of individual-level state consistencies, we present a framework of basic person-specific consistency types. For the proposed consistencies, we provide examples, discuss their interpretation and relevance, and relate them to prominent theoretical accounts within personality psychology. We conclude with advocating for a stronger focus on person-specific approaches and individuality.