Name: Lucas Provine
School of Psychology – Ph.D. Dissertation Proposal Meeting
Date: Thursday, June 4th, 2026
Time: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location: Virtual (https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/272781039441297?p=6oMuMcJ0n6qGjeM5AZ)
Dissertation Committee Chair/Advisor:
Phillip Ackerman, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech)
Dissertation Committee Members:
Chris Wiese, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech)
Scott Moffat, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech)
Audrey Leroux, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech)
Fred Oswald, Ph.D. (University of California, Irvine)
Title: Trait-Behavior Flexibility: Exploring Variability in Personality Trait-Task Performance Relationships
Abstract: This dissertation introduces and evaluates trait-behavior flexibility (TBF), a proposed latent individual-difference construct intended to explain variability in personality trait–behavior relationships at the task level. Although personality traits are established predictors of job performance, these relationships are often context-dependent. Existing frameworks, including situational strength theory, trait activation theory, and personality strength theory, have advanced the understanding of when and why trait expression varies across situations. However, less is known about the extent to which individuals can effectively enact behaviors incongruent with their typical trait standing. The present research proposes TBF as a construct capturing between-person differences in the effectiveness with which individuals enact trait-relevant behaviors, particularly for trait-incongruent tasks. This work also addresses limitations in the broader personality-performance literature, which has primarily focused on broad job performance outcomes rather than the specific tasks and behaviors that compose them. Across three studies, this research examines whether TBF represents a meaningful and distinct source of variance in personality trait–behavior relationships and whether it contributes incremental predictive validity beyond traditional personality measures. Study 1 identified and validated tasks varying in extraversion–introversion and need for achievement demands using subject-matter expert ratings informed by O*NET task characteristics. Study 2 examines individuals’ task-specific confidence and comfort across trait-relevant tasks. Study 3 evaluates whether these appraisals predict laboratory task performance beyond personality trait standing alone. This research advances a task-level approach to personality and contributes to a more precise understanding of how personality traits translate into effective performance across contexts.