Post on 04-Jan-2016
description
The Trait Perspective on Personality
From Freud, psychoanalysis and the un-measurable unconscious to rock solid
traits and characteristics
The Trait PerspectiveThe Trait Perspective People have tried to classify and label People have tried to classify and label
people’s personalities for thousands of yearspeople’s personalities for thousands of years
It all started with the Ancient GreeksIt all started with the Ancient Greeks Labeled people and personality in terms of Labeled people and personality in terms of
humorshumors or the type of body fluid flowing in a or the type of body fluid flowing in a personperson
4 types4 types Blood – Sanguine – cheerful and passionateBlood – Sanguine – cheerful and passionate Black Bile – Melancholic – unhappy and depressedBlack Bile – Melancholic – unhappy and depressed Yellow Bile – Choleric – angry and hot-tempered Yellow Bile – Choleric – angry and hot-tempered Phlegm – Phlegmatic – dull and unemotionalPhlegm – Phlegmatic – dull and unemotional
Identifying TraitsIdentifying Traits
Eventually people moved on from “humor” to body type Eventually people moved on from “humor” to body type as a measurement of personalityas a measurement of personality
However, most psychologists realized that this was an However, most psychologists realized that this was an oversimplified way of looking at personality oversimplified way of looking at personality
So they went about finding new ways to define So they went about finding new ways to define personalitypersonality
TraitA relatively stable set of characteristics that
influences your thoughts, feelings, and behavior
Believed to be found in your Genes and DNA
Trait vs. States
What is the Difference??
trait = stable and consistent over time
state = a temporary emotional condition dependent on situation and motive
May have trait of calmness but be in a state of anxiety
UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE!!
Objective TestsObjective Tests– a questionnaire where people respond
to different items attempting to measure aspects (traits) of their personality•Yes-no, true-false, agree-disagree•Also called Personality InventoriesPersonality Inventories
How do we measure or find out our personality
traits?
MMPI
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory:
•the most widely used personality inventory test.
•567 questions•Originally used to identify emotional/mental disorders.
Now used for screening purposes.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Objective
Tests• Get standard answers to standardized
questions • However, contain transparent questions
– Often will include lie detectors
• Social desirability biasSocial desirability bias – people might state what they wish were true
rather than what IS true
• BAD !!! – Objective Tests don’t tell us BAD !!! – Objective Tests don’t tell us WHYWHY we behave the way we do – they we behave the way we do – they just tell us just tell us HOWHOW we behave we behave
The Theories The Theories Behind the Behind the
TestsTests
Gordon Allport’s Trait TheoryGordon Allport’s Trait Theory Believed traits were Believed traits were inheritedinherited but influenced by but influenced by
experienceexperience Believed some traits were more important than othersBelieved some traits were more important than others
Central Traits or Source TraitsCentral Traits or Source Traits Easily recognized and have a strong influence on Easily recognized and have a strong influence on
personalitypersonality example – competitiveness, generosity, independenceexample – competitiveness, generosity, independence
Secondary Traits or Surface TraitsSecondary Traits or Surface Traits More specific to certain situations and have less effect on More specific to certain situations and have less effect on
personalitypersonality traits like personal styles and preferences (particular traits like personal styles and preferences (particular
styles of clothing or types of music that affect styles of clothing or types of music that affect behavior in fewer situations)behavior in fewer situations)
Allport believed in total there were around Allport believed in total there were around 16,000 different types of traits16,000 different types of traits
Raymond Cattell’s Sixteen Raymond Cattell’s Sixteen TraitsTraits
Believed that Allport went to far with his traitsBelieved that Allport went to far with his traits
Identified only 16 fundamental traits that Identified only 16 fundamental traits that all people possesall people posses
Each trait is represented on a continuum (scale) Each trait is represented on a continuum (scale) and they are found in every person to some and they are found in every person to some degree on the continuumdegree on the continuum
To measure these traits Cattell used a test To measure these traits Cattell used a test called the Sixteen Personality Factor called the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (Questionnaire (16 PF16 PF for short) for short)
However, many psychologists still thoughtHowever, many psychologists still thought
this was still too many traitsthis was still too many traits
16 personality factors16 personality factors
Hans Eysenck: A simpler Trait Hans Eysenck: A simpler Trait ModelModel
3 major traits3 major traits Introversion – ExtraversionIntroversion – Extraversion
– Are people outward or inward focused?Are people outward or inward focused? NeuroticismNeuroticism
– Emotional instability or stabilityEmotional instability or stability PsychoticismPsychoticism
– Cold and hostile, or warm and concerned with Cold and hostile, or warm and concerned with othersothers
The combination of these produced 4 basic The combination of these produced 4 basic personality typespersonality types
Intro
verte
d-Neu
rotic
Extraverted-Neurotic
Introverted-StableExt
rave
rted-
Stable
The Big Five - Five-Factor Model (FFM)
Openness (to experience)• imaginative, curious, intellectual, open to nontraditional values vs.
conforming, practical, conventional • Sample Openness items
•I am full of ideas. - I am quick to understand things. - I have a rich vocabulary. I have a vivid imagination. – I prefer practical ideas (reversed) - I do not have a good imagination. (reversed) - I have difficulty understanding abstract ideas. (reversed)
16 to many - - 3 to few
Conscientiousness • organized reliable, hardworking • Sample Conscientiousness items
•I am always prepared. - I am exacting in my work. - I follow a schedule. - I get chores done right away. - I like order. - I leave my belongings around. (reversed) - I make a mess of things. (reversed) - I often forget to put things back in their proper place. (reversed)
Agreeableness • Forgiving, generous, trusting
• Sample Agreeableness items– I am interested in people. - I feel others’ emotions. -
I have a soft heart. - I am not really interested in others. (reversed) - I feel little concern for others. (reversed) - I insult people. (reversed)
Extraversion •Active, energetic, affectionate• Sample Extraversion items
•I am the life of the party. - I don't mind being the center of attention. - I feel comfortable around people. - I start conversations. - I am quiet around strangers. (reversed) - I don't like to draw attention to myself. (reversed) - I don't talk a lot. (reversed) - I have little to say. (reversed)
Neuroticism • (our level of emotional
instability/stability) anxious, tense, vulnerable
• Sample Neuroticism items– I am easily disturbed. - I change my mood a
lot. - I get irritated easily. - I get stressed out easily. - I am relaxed most of the time. (reversed) - I seldom feel blue. (reversed)
Remember by = OCEANRemember by = OCEAN
Personality by Birth Order
• Modern theories– Myers-Briggs
Personality Tests• http://theinkblot.com/index.htm • online inkblot test – fun to take but don’t make
much of the results• http://www.personalitypathways.com/
type_inventory.html • get a myers-briggs personality type – good test
with good summaries• http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/
JTypes2.asp • Jung personality profile – great, in-depth test• http://similarminds.com/cattell-16-factor.html • Cattell’s 16 Factor Test• http://www.matthewbarr.co.uk/simpsons/ • - find out what Simpson you most resemble