Trait Theory

What is trait theory?

Trait theory tries to quantify personality by defining various traits and placing ppl on a continuum. Then compare those to pop. It emphasizes the measurement of traits that are stable over time and can predict behaviors across different situations. Trait theorists often use assessments to describe individual differences.

Trait

A characteristic (like being friendly,etc)

Trait theory’s view on Personality

If personality is an enduring pattern of behavior, then: We are what we consistently do, and Traits describe those consistent patterns

Textbook Defintion

A dimension of personality used to describe ppl according to the degree to which they manifest this particular characteristic.

Gordon Allport: Personality Theorist

First major personality Psychologist. Determined two types of traits from the Idiographic Approach:

1. Dominant: Cardinal

2. Multiple defining traits: Central

Gordon Allport: Nomothetic approach and Idiographic approach

Believed that there were general traits that apply to everyone but also that a combination of traits creates unique individual personalities

Friedman and Rosenman (1959): Created type A and B

Higher stress impatient ppl are more likely to develop a coronary disease (indicated with the wore down chairs in waiting rooms; Type A)

Friedman and Rosenman (1959): Created 3 questions asked in trait theory

Started the concept of

• Defining the most important/ determinant traits to personality?

• What are important behaviors that need defining traits?

• How do people with a defined trait act?

Defining the most important/ determinant traits to personality?

Requires advance tech to do factor analysis: Taking multiples of traits and finding a common factor. Early work by Raymond Cattell (1909-1998) inspiring 16 personality traits

What are important behaviors that need defining traits?

Done by conducting the Many trait study: Looking for correlation between one behavior and many traits

How do people with a defined trait act?

I.e:Type A Personality have urgency, Frustration, competitiveness, and control in situations and high coronary disease.

Original ‘Big five’ by Donald Fiske’s factor analysis (1949)

• Social adaptability 

• Emotional control 

• Conformity 

• Inquiring Intellect 

• Confident self-expression

Walter Mischel

• Criticized trait theory Saying behavior depends on the situation, not just traits

• Conclusion: People are consistent, but can also adapt to situations

Assessment

Primarily done with Self report inventory: You respond to a series of questions about yourself as it’s easy

Self-Report Inventory Purposeful Cons

• Faking: Test takers intentionally give misleading information 

  • Fake good fake bad

• Carelessness and sabotage usually done by boredom/human error

Self-Report Inventory Accidental Cons

• Social desirability: Extent to which people present themselves in a favorable light 

• Tendency to click “agree” more and susceptible to framing effect 

Modern Big 5/OCEAN: High scientific validity

• Openness 

  • Original, curious, openminded, Non -conforming, daring, risk prone, liberal

• Conscientiousness

  • Dutiful, risk-adverse, longevity, healthy habits, high academia

• Extraversion

  • Active, dominant, control, louder, forceful, adventurous 

• Agreeableness 

  • trusting,harmonious, 

• Neuroticism (emotional stability)

  • Anxious,insecure,