Dispositional Factors - GCSE Psychology Definition

Reviewed by: Raj Bonsor

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Dispositional factors are internal characteristics or traits that influence how a person behaves and reacts to situations. These include things like personality, mood, and attitudes, which come from within an individual rather than being influenced by outside factors. For example, someone who is naturally shy may be quiet in social settings due to their disposition.

In psychology, understanding dispositional factors helps explain why people act differently even when they are in the same environment or facing similar circumstances. This concept is important because it highlights the role of internal factors in shaping our behaviour.

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Raj Bonsor

Reviewer: Raj Bonsor

Expertise: Psychology & Sociology Content Creator

Raj joined Save My Exams in 2024 as a Senior Content Creator for Psychology & Sociology. Prior to this, she spent fifteen years in the classroom, teaching hundreds of GCSE and A Level students. She has experience as Subject Leader for Psychology and Sociology, and her favourite topics to teach are research methods (especially inferential statistics!) and attachment. She has also successfully taught a number of Level 3 subjects, including criminology, health & social care, and citizenship.

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