TRAIT THEORIES
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Psychology II
Trait Theories
Psychology II
Mrs. Hall
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What are some
TRAITS
people exhibit?
Psychology II
Trait Theories
What is a “TRAIT”?
• Aspect of personality considered to be
reasonably stable
– Outgoing
– Anxious
– Perfectionistic
– Shy
– Friendly, etc.
Psychology II
Trait Theories
History of TRAIT Theories
•
•
•
•
Hippocrates
Bodily fluids = “humors”
Balance = psychological health
Unbalance = specific trait
(see book notes)
Gordon Allport
• Concerned with DESCRIBING personality
traits, not explaining them
• Identified thousands of different traits
• Studied individuals
“Traits never occur in any two people in exactly the same way: They operate in
unique ways in each person” (Mischel,
Mischel, 124)
Raymond Cattell
• Refined Allport’s work
• Studied groups
• Two types of traits:
1. SURFACE – specific, observable traits
2. SOURCE – underlying traits from which
surface traits are derived (clusters of surface traits)
Raymond Cattell’s Theory
• Factor Analysis – statistical procedure to
identify clusters of traits that all correlate to
a basic trait
Example: Outgoing + Enjoys excitement + Enjoys
playing practical jokes + Dislikes quiet reading =
EXTROVERSION
Psychology II
Trait Theories
Raymond Cattell’s
Theory
• Using factor analysis…
– Reduced Allport’s huge list of traits to 16 BASIC
DIMENSIONS (16PF)
– 16 Personality Factors
• All fall somewhere on a continuum between two
opposite pairs of dimensions
(see Figure 14.1)
Psychology II
Trait Theories
Psychology II
Trait Theories
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Hans Eysenck
• 2 basic dimensions (genetically influenced) :
– Introversion – Extroversion
– Emotional Stability – Emotional Instability
• Can fall anywhere w/in 4 hypothetical quadrants;
most fall within II and III (see Figure 14.2)
I
II
III
IV
Psychology II
Trait Theories
Similar to Hippocrates “Humors”
Psychology II
Trait Theories
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The FIVE-FACTOR MODEL
(The “Big Five”)
• McCrae & Costa
• “Simplest” of all trait theories
– Factor analysis
– 5 factors that encompass all others (Cattell,
Eysenck, etc.)
Psychology II
Trait Theories
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- Instability
- Introversion
- Closed-mindedness
- Disagreeableness
- Carelessness
Psychology II
Trait Theories
Pitfalls of the TRAIT Theory
• Consistency w/ which traits are
expressed?
– Traits persist over time; however, some behavior varies
depending on situation
– Average behavior across situations tends
to be consistent
• Describes but d/n explain source of
traits
• Fails to investigate how people with
certain traits can change for the better
Psychology II
Trait Theories
Pro’s of the TRAIT Theory
• Traits linked to abilities, interests, etc.
– Can match people to various programs,
jobs, etc. with which they may find
success.
– Can even match people with others?
(matchmaker.com; eharmony.com)
Psychology II
Trait Theories
Works Consulted
• Mischel, Walter (1986). Introduction to
Personality. 4th ed. Holt, Rinehart, & Winston.
• Myers, David G. (2004). Psychology. Worth
Publishers.
• Rathus, Spencer A. (1998). Psychology:
Principles in Practice. Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
• Weiten, Wayne. (2004). Psychology: Themes
and Variations. Thomson / Wadsworth
Publishing.
Psychology II
Trait Theories