The Trait Approach

Types

discrete categories

Traits

continuum

Trait theory

• Personality characteristics are relatively stable over time

• Traits are stable across situations

The lexical approach (Allport)

• The words we use to describe people

• Identified 18000 words - 4500 described traits

• Argued that idiographic approach was more beneficial to understand personality

Cardinal traits

single , dominant traits (heavily influences behaviour)

Central traits

5-10 traits which describe a personality

Secondary traits

preferences, not core to personality

Constitutional traits

The role of genetics

Source trait

Underlying basic factors that determine individual surface trait variations.

Surface traits

what we see as a result of the source trait/underlying

Proprium

Term used by Allport as a synonym for the self, encompassing all constituent parts making up self-concept.

Definition of personality (Raymond and Cattell)

Characteristics allowing prediction of behavior in a given situation.

Q-data

Questionnaire data derived from self-report assessments.

L-data

Life record data consisting of observations of real-life behaviour in everyday situations.

T-data

Objective test data obtained from situations where the subject is unaware of what trait is being measured.

Eysenck’s Theory of personality

• Fundamental traits are biologically based BUT environment can impact on how traits are expressed

• Personality is based on character, temperament, intelligence, physique and nervous system

• Traits are relatively stable

Extraversion

• Traits: dominant, active, sociable, sensation seeking etc.

• On a continuum: Introversion - Extraversion

Neuroticism

• Traits: Tense, irrational, shy , low self-esteem etc.

• On a continuum: Low - High

Psychoticism

• Traits: impulsive, impersonal, anti-social, creative, cold.

• On a continuum: Low-High

OCEAN (Costa and McCrae)

Acronym for the Five-Factor Model traits: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.

Openness

Fantasy, aesthetics, feelings, actions, ideas, values.

Conscientiousness

Competence, order, dutifulness, achievement-striving, self-discipline, deliberation.

Extraversion

Warmth, gregariousness, assertiveness, activity, excitement-seeking, positive emotions.

Agreeableness

Trust, straightforwardness, altruism, compliance, modesty, tender-mindedness.

The dark triad

Three traits that overlap, yet are distinctive

1. Narcissism

2. Machiavellianism

3. Psychopathy

Narcissism

Entitlement, superiority, grandiosity, lack of empathy

Machiavellianism

Cold, manipulative, exploitative

Psychopathy

Low empathy, low anxiety, thrill-seeking, high impulsivity, lack of remorse

Emotional manipulation

• Influencing others’ feelings and behaviours for the purpose of one’s own benefit

• ‘Darker side’ of emotional intelligence - manipulation of emotions

The dark Tetrad

The dark triad plus Sadism

Sadism

dispositional tendency to take pleasure in others' suffering – as an additional dark personality operating in the subclinical domain

PEN model

Eysenck’s super traits framework consisting of Psychoticism, Extraversion, and Neuroticism.