Raymond Cattell and the Study of Personality Traits

Raymond Cattell

A prominent psychologist known for his work in personality and intelligence.

Factor Analysis

A procedure for analyzing a set of correlations among various measures into a simpler underlying pattern, termed a 'factor structure.'

Personality

The combination of characteristics or qualities that form an individual's distinctive character.

Traits

The units of personality that have predictive value, allowing for predictions of behavior in given situations.

R-technique

A method of data analysis that involves correlations among different individuals.

Q-data

Data collected from questionnaires, usually involving hundreds of people.

L-data

Life data, typically used in conjunction with Q-data.

dR-technique

A method involving 'life' data through behavioral observation.

T-data

Test data where individuals take the test twice to assess changes.

P-technique

Test data involving lab tests to study states rather than traits.

Source Trait

A primary factor derived from factor analysis.

Surface Trait

Traits that are observable in behavior.

Ability Trait

How a person works towards a desired goal, such as intelligence.

Temperament Trait

The general style with which someone carries out tasks.

Dynamic Trait

Traits that provide energy and direction to action, including motivations and interests.

Fluid Intelligence

The innate ability to learn, expressed in various types of learning depending on opportunities.

Crystallized Intelligence

Intelligence that includes the effects of opportunity or education.

Ergs

Constitutional dynamic source traits, akin to instincts.

Metaergs

Environmentally-molded source traits that are learned motivations.

Sentiments

Enduring motivations formed early in life, such as religion or politics.

Attitudes

More specific innate motivational traits, including emotions like anger and curiosity.

Subsidiation

A type of meta-erg where basic drives are met by multi-step sequences.

Cattell's 16PF

Measures that Cattell identified as the most important source traits, each measured dimensionally from 1 to 100.

The Big Five

A model of personality traits including Openness to Experience, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Emotional Stability.

Heritability

The extent to which similar genetic status results in similar personality traits, even in different environments.

The Big-Five Inventory

A scoring system for assessing the Big Five personality traits.