Multiple determinants and effect size : a more general method of discourse

Ahadi and Diener (1989) argued that the prevalent concern about low trait-behavior correlations may reflect the faulty assumption of a one-to-one relation between traits and behaviors. Using a simulation methodology, they demonstrated that low to moderate trait-behavior and behavior-behavior correlations are to be expected even when 2 behaviors are each completely determined by 3 traits with 1 trait in common. It is demonstrated that the results estimated be Ahadi and Diener can be derived exactly by using the mathematics of linear combinations.