Trait theory

Trait theory – a model of personality that seeks to identify the basic traits necessary to describe personality.

Traits – consistent personality characteristics and behaviors displayed in different situations.

Developed by Hyppocrates (460-370 BC) as medical theory

I. Pavlov researched how dogs with different temperaments reacts to stimuli

Sanguine Choleric Melancholic Phlegmatic

Developed by R. Cattell (1965) using factors analysis List of all 16 traits:

• Warm• Reasoning• Emotional

Stability• Dominance• Liveliness• Rule-

Consciousness• Social Boldness• Sensitivity

• Vigilance• Abstractedness• Privateness• Apprehension• Openness to

Change• Self-Reliance• Perfectionism• Tension

This theory was also developed using factors analysis.

R. Cattell used inductive method, while H. Eyesenck used deductive one.

3 main personality traits: extraversion, neuroticism and psychoticism.

These 3 traits are largely unrelated.

Five-factor personality inventory was created in 1985 by P. T. Costa and R. R. McCare.

Main 5 personality traits are Extraversion, Neuroticism, Conscientiousness, Agreebleness and Openness to experience.

These 5 factors can be abbreviated as OCEAN.

Each of 5 factors has 6 subfactors called facets.

The Big Five is the most popular and influential trait approach today.

Extraversion means energy, positive emotions and the tendency to seek stimulation in the company of others.

Neuroticism is an enduring tendency to experience negative emotional states.

Neuroticism

Conscientiousness includes traits like being organized and planful.

Which room’s owner more likely has high conscientiousness?

Which one of 6 facets of conscientiousness these pictures represent?

Agreebleness trait distinguishes soft-hearted people from ruthless ones.

Openness to experience trait distinguishes people who prefer variety from whose who prefer familiar and traditional things. Itincludes traits like having wide interests and being imaginative.

Everyone has the same personality traits at varying degree.

There are many different trait theories, but no one of them can encompass the whole personality.

Trait theories allow easy comparison between individuals.

Trait theories only describe personality – they do not explain it.