Chapter 7 - Trait Theories of Personality: Allport, Eysenck, and Cattell

A View of the Trait Theorists

A View of the Trait Theorists

Trait Theory’s View of the Person

Trait

The Trait Concept

(Trait Theory’s View of the Person)

Trait Theory’s View of the Science of Personality

Scientific Functions Served by Trait Constructs

(Trait Theory’s View of the Science of Personality)

Description - Scientific Functions Served by Trait Constructs

Prediction - Scientific Functions Served by Trait Constructs

Explanation - Scientific Functions Served by Trait Constructs

Trait Theories of Personality: Basic Perspectives Shared by Trait Theorists

The Trait Theory of Gordon W. Allport (1897–1967)

Traits: Personality Structure in Allport’s Theory

(The Trait Theory of Gordon W. Allport (1897–1967))

Cardinal trait

Central traits

Secondary dispositions

Functional Autonomy

(The Trait Theory of Gordon W. Allport (1897–1967))

Idiographic Research

(The Trait Theory of Gordon W. Allport (1897–1967))

Comment on Allport

(The Trait Theory of Gordon W. Allport (1897–1967))

Identifying Primary Trait Dimensions: Factor Analysis

Factor analysis

The Factor-Analytic Trait Theory of Raymond B. Cattell (1905–1998)

Surface and Source Traits: Personality Structure in Cattell’s Theory

(The Factor-Analytic Trait Theory of Raymond B. Cattell (1905–1998))

Surface traits

Source traits

Ability

Temperament

Dynamic traits

Sources of Evidence: L-Data, Q-Data, and OT-Data

(The Factor-Analytic Trait Theory of Raymond B. Cattell (1905–1998))

L-data

Q-data

OT-data

Stability and Variability in Behavior

(The Factor-Analytic Trait Theory of Raymond B. Cattell (1905–1998))

State

Roles

Comment on Cattell

(The Factor-Analytic Trait Theory of Raymond B. Cattell (1905–1998))

The Three-Factor Theory of Hans J. Eysenck (1916–1997)

“Superfactors”: Personality Structure in Eysenck’s Theory

(The Three-Factor Theory of Hans J. Eysenck (1916–1997))

Superfactors

Introversion

Extraversion

Neuroticism

Psychoticism

Measuring the Factors - “Superfactors”: Personality Structure in Eysenck’s Theory

Biological Bases of Personality Traits

(The Three-Factor Theory of Hans J. Eysenck (1916–1997))

Personality and the Brain - Extraversion and Neuroticism

Extraversion and Social Behavior

(The Three-Factor Theory of Hans J. Eysenck (1916–1997))

Psychopathology and Behavior Change

(The Three-Factor Theory of Hans J. Eysenck (1916–1997))

Evaluation of Eysenckian Theory

(The Three-Factor Theory of Hans J. Eysenck (1916–1997))

Measures did not align with theory

Eysenckian theory underestimated the complexity of the brain

Cognitive factors affect performance