VI. Trait Theories

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VI. Trait Theories
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A. What is a Trait?

• Personal qualities or characteristics that are
  relatively stable and consistent over time
• Way that one individual differs from another
• Examples nice smart and friendly

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B. What is the Trait Theory of Personality?

• Two basic assumptions made by Trait theorists
• Every trait applies to all people.
• Example everyone can be classified as more or
  less dependent.
• b. The descriptions can be quantified.
• Example based on 1-10 how would you describe
• 2. Trait theorists go beyond to try to discover
  the
• underlying source of the consistence of human
• behavior.

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C. Types of Traits

• 1. Surface traits
• Traits that can be easily inferred from
  observable behaviors
• Ex happy, sad, spacey, etc.
• 2. Source traits
• The most basic dimensions of a persons
  personality
• More fundamental than surface traits
• 3. While there are numerous surface traits, there
  are few source traits.

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Gordon Allport
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D. Gordon Allport Identifying Traits

• 1. Believed that a persons traits will be
  consistent in different situations
• 2. Created a list of traits
• Common traits apply to everyone
• Individual traits apply to a more specific
  person
• Cardinal- so pervasive that the person is almost
  identified by that trait
• Secondary- traits that tend to change (food and
  music preferences) least important
• Central- best describes a person (shy, loyal)

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Raymond Cattell
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E. Raymond Cattell Sixteen Trait Theory

• 1. Many trait researchers tried to measure how
  strongly different traits relate to each other
  (using factor analysis)
• 2. Cattell identified 46 surface traits (traits
  that someone can observe)
• Then found that some surface traits occur in
  clusters
• Identified 16 traits (traits at the core of
  personality)
• 3. Believed that by measuring source traits,
  psychologists could predict peoples behavior in
  certain situations

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Cattells Sixteen Source Traits
Reserved Outgoing
Less Intelligent More Intelligent
Affected by Feelings Emotionally Stable
Submissive Dominant
Serious Happy-go-lucky
Expedient Conscientious
Timid Venturesome
Tough-minded Sensitive
Trusting Suspicious
Practical Imaginative
Forthright Shrewd
Self-assured Apprehensive
Conservative Experimenting
Group-dependent Self-sufficient
Uncontrolled Controlled
Relaxed Tense
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Hans Eysenck
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F. Hans Eysenck Dimensions of Personality

• 1. Two basic dimensions of personality
• Stability vs. Instability
• The degree to which people have control over
  their feelings.
• Stable end easy-going, relaxed, and
  well-adjusted
• Instable end moody, stressed, and restless
• Extraversion vs. Introversion
• Extraverts outgoing, active
• Introverts reserved, quiet, and not very social
  
• 2. He added a third part-
• Psychoticism
• One end self-centered, aggressive people, who
  act without much thought.
• Other end superego (as labeled by Freud)
  sensitive, caring and easy to work with.

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Eysencks Personality Table
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G. The Big Five

• 1. Five Traits appear again and again
• a. Extraversion
• Associated with warmth, talkativeness, and being
  energetic
• b. Agreeableness
• Involves being sympathetic to others, kind, and
  trusting
• c. Conscientiousness
• Identifies individuals who are dutiful, dedicated
  to completing task, organized and responsible
• d. Openness to experience
• Describes people who are open-minded and willing
  to try intellectual experiences, new ideas, or
  creative experiences
• e. Emotional stability
• Identifies individuals who experience things
  relatively easily and without getting upset.