Gordon Allport

Trait TheoryTrait Theory

I. Biography (1897-1967)

Allport was 1 of 4 children born to a teacher & Allport was 1 of 4 children born to a teacher & country doctor in Indiana.country doctor in Indiana.

The family moved often, until they settled in The family moved often, until they settled in Cleveland, Ohio, where Allport grew up in a hard-Cleveland, Ohio, where Allport grew up in a hard-working, Protestant neighborhood.working, Protestant neighborhood.

Graduating 2Graduating 2ndnd in his class, Allport joined his in his class, Allport joined his brother, Floyd, at Harvard University, where he brother, Floyd, at Harvard University, where he studied psychology & social ethics.studied psychology & social ethics.

Biography contd. After graduation, Allport taught abroad in Eastern After graduation, Allport taught abroad in Eastern

Europe & visited with Freud on his way back Europe & visited with Freud on his way back home.home.

He tried to impress Freud with his powers of He tried to impress Freud with his powers of observation, but instead was mistaken for a patient observation, but instead was mistaken for a patient seeking therapy.seeking therapy.

This led Allport to want to focus on conscious self This led Allport to want to focus on conscious self reports as opposed to hidden unconscious reports as opposed to hidden unconscious impulses.impulses.

Allport

Gordon studied personality traits as a graduate student Gordon studied personality traits as a graduate student & earned his Ph.D. in 1922 at 24.& earned his Ph.D. in 1922 at 24.

He accepted a teaching position at Harvard in 1924.He accepted a teaching position at Harvard in 1924.

He taught at Harvard for most of his life, where he He taught at Harvard for most of his life, where he introduced the first “Personality” course ever taught in introduced the first “Personality” course ever taught in the US. the US.

He published in numerous journals about his views on He published in numerous journals about his views on personality traits, was the President of the APA, & personality traits, was the President of the APA, & editor of many journals. editor of many journals.

II. Themes in Allport’s work

A. A. Consistency of PersonalityConsistency of Personality Allport argued that humans are consistent

(“remarkably recognizable”) in personality even though they may vary from situation to situation.

Some research supports Allport’s view; other studies suggest situations make people change their behavior (Mischel, 1984a).

B. The Concept of the Self

Allport argued for the idea of self as a major Allport argued for the idea of self as a major focus of personality growth. focus of personality growth.

Today, a good deal of research in clinical & Today, a good deal of research in clinical & social psychology focuses on the idea of the self social psychology focuses on the idea of the self (e.g., self-concept, self-esteem, self-efficacy). (e.g., self-concept, self-esteem, self-efficacy).

C. Interaction of Personality & Social Influences

Although Allport focused on personality traits, Although Allport focused on personality traits, he did recognize the importance of social he did recognize the importance of social factors & how they influence individuals. factors & how they influence individuals.

III. Allport’s definition of Personality

““Personality is the dynamic organization Personality is the dynamic organization within the individual of those within the individual of those psychophysical systems that determine his psychophysical systems that determine his unique adjustments to the environment.” unique adjustments to the environment.”

This is not tacitly accepted by personality This is not tacitly accepted by personality psychologists.psychologists.

Components of Allport’s definition

1. 1. Dynamic organizationDynamic organization::

Refers to Allport’s view that to be healthy, we Refers to Allport’s view that to be healthy, we need to integrate all parts of our personality into need to integrate all parts of our personality into a whole. a whole.

Criticisms: the theme of unity isn’t shared by Criticisms: the theme of unity isn’t shared by everyone. Learning theorists focus on discrete everyone. Learning theorists focus on discrete units of behavior. units of behavior.

2. Psychophysical Systems Allport argued that biology influences our Allport argued that biology influences our

personality development.personality development.

He accepted the idea that temperament, constitutes He accepted the idea that temperament, constitutes an inherited biological foundation for personality.an inherited biological foundation for personality.

There is some evidence that this might be the case. There is some evidence that this might be the case. The temperaments of young children tend to be The temperaments of young children tend to be consistent into adulthood.consistent into adulthood.

3. Determinative

Allport argued that traits are not just Allport argued that traits are not just predictor’s of behavior, they actually predictor’s of behavior, they actually determine (cause) behavior. determine (cause) behavior.

Allport felt these were actually physical Allport felt these were actually physical (tangible) although he didn’t know how (tangible) although he didn’t know how they related to the neural systems.they related to the neural systems.

Many perceive this view as: Many perceive this view as: circular circular reasonsing!!!reasonsing!!!

How does circular reasoning work? Jack hits Bob (behavior)Jack hits Bob (behavior)

We observe hitting behavior & say that Jack We observe hitting behavior & say that Jack is high on “aggression” (a trait).is high on “aggression” (a trait).

When asked why Jack is aggressive—we When asked why Jack is aggressive—we say “Because he hit Bob.”say “Because he hit Bob.”

4. Unique

Allport felt that traits are highly Allport felt that traits are highly individualized or uniqueindividualized or unique. .

He disagreed with theorists who asserted He disagreed with theorists who asserted that one or a few instincts motivate all that one or a few instincts motivate all people (sexual drives, striving for people (sexual drives, striving for superiority). superiority).

5. Adjustments to the Environment Allport felt that our personalities develop as Allport felt that our personalities develop as

a function of learning to adapt to social a function of learning to adapt to social situations while trying to achieve our needs.situations while trying to achieve our needs.

IV. Traits

Allport felt that our personality was made Allport felt that our personality was made up of traits.up of traits.

If you know a person’s traits, you can If you know a person’s traits, you can provide a description of their personality.provide a description of their personality.

What are traits???

A trait is a consistent, long-lasting tendency A trait is a consistent, long-lasting tendency in behavior. in behavior.

E.g., shyness, hostility, gregariousness E.g., shyness, hostility, gregariousness

Can we all be described by the same traits?

Do we each have different traits or do we Do we each have different traits or do we all have the same traits in varying amounts?all have the same traits in varying amounts?

What do you think??What do you think??

Allport wasn’t willing to rule either of these Allport wasn’t willing to rule either of these out, although most researchers agree we out, although most researchers agree we have the same traits in different degrees.have the same traits in different degrees.

Individual Vs. Common Traits

Allport argued we have both individual Allport argued we have both individual traits & common traits.traits & common traits.

Individual traitsIndividual traits -- possessed by only 1 -- possessed by only 1 person.person.

Common traitsCommon traits-- possessed by all people to -- possessed by all people to a varying extent.a varying extent.

How do we know what traits a person

possesses?

1. We can infer them from language 1. We can infer them from language (Dictionary Study). (Dictionary Study).

AAllport & Odbert identified llport & Odbert identified 17,953 trait names17,953 trait names, , from the dictionary (4.5% of total words). from the dictionary (4.5% of total words).

  

Dictionary study 1.     Neutral Terms Designating Personal Traits (artistic, 1.     Neutral Terms Designating Personal Traits (artistic,

assertive).assertive).   2.     Terms Primarily Descriptive of Temporary Moods or 2.     Terms Primarily Descriptive of Temporary Moods or

Activities (alarmed, ashamed)Activities (alarmed, ashamed)   3.     Weighted Terms Conveying Social or Character 3.     Weighted Terms Conveying Social or Character

Judgments of Personal Conduct, or Designating influence on Judgments of Personal Conduct, or Designating influence on others (adorable, asinine).others (adorable, asinine).

   4.     Miscellanous: Designations of Physique, Capacities, 4.     Miscellanous: Designations of Physique, Capacities,

and Developmental Conditions; Metaphorical and Doubtful and Developmental Conditions; Metaphorical and Doubtful Terms (alone). Terms (alone).

2. Inferring traits from behavior

Allport argues that what people do, is a Allport argues that what people do, is a great clue as to their personality traits.great clue as to their personality traits.

If people like to run, hike, & ride bikes we If people like to run, hike, & ride bikes we can infer they are athletic (a trait).can infer they are athletic (a trait).

By observing others either in naturalistic By observing others either in naturalistic settings or through experiments, we can settings or through experiments, we can infer some of their traits.infer some of their traits.

3. Inferring traits from Personality measurement We can also infer traits from personality tests. We can also infer traits from personality tests.

Allport examined Allport examined people’s valuespeople’s values, because he felt , because he felt that you could understand people’s motivations that you could understand people’s motivations from their value systems.from their value systems.

He along with other colleagues developed the He along with other colleagues developed the Allport-Vernon-Lindzey Study of Values. Allport-Vernon-Lindzey Study of Values.

Allport-Vernon Lindzey Study of Values

Self-report questionnaire-- 60 questions. Scores have Self-report questionnaire-- 60 questions. Scores have norms based on 1960. Looks at who scores high on norms based on 1960. Looks at who scores high on which values.which values.

Allport reported that college students who entered Allport reported that college students who entered different occupations had different value scores. different occupations had different value scores.

Recently, Huntley and Davis (1983) found that scores Recently, Huntley and Davis (1983) found that scores on the study of values taken during college were on the study of values taken during college were associated with occupations of male students 25 years associated with occupations of male students 25 years later. later.

Allport-Vernon Lindzey Study of Values

ScaleScale Description of valueDescription of value Typical OccupationTypical Occupation Social helping people social work Theoretical search for truth Professor Economic Pragmatic, applied Business Aesthetic Artistic values Artist Political Power & influence Politics Religious Religion, harmony Clergy

V. How pervasive is influence of a trait?

It varies with the trait. It varies with the trait.

Allport argued we have three categories of Allport argued we have three categories of traits: cardinal, secondary, & central.traits: cardinal, secondary, & central.

Cardinal traits are most pervasive; Cardinal traits are most pervasive; secondary traits least pervasive.secondary traits least pervasive.

A. Central traits

Central traits are the major characteristics of an Central traits are the major characteristics of an individual. individual.

These usually number from 5 to 10 in any one These usually number from 5 to 10 in any one person (e.g., honesty, sociability).person (e.g., honesty, sociability).

These are rather pervasive & effect many These are rather pervasive & effect many behaviors. We can use a small number of behaviors. We can use a small number of adjectives to describe someone. adjectives to describe someone.

B. Secondary traits

These are characteristics that effect These are characteristics that effect behavior in fewer situations & are less behavior in fewer situations & are less influential than central or cardinal traits. influential than central or cardinal traits.

A preference for ice cream or dislike of A preference for ice cream or dislike of modern art would be considered a modern art would be considered a secondary trait. secondary trait.

C. Cardinal traits

This is a This is a singlesingle characteristic that directs characteristic that directs most of a person’s activities. most of a person’s activities.

It is so pervasive that it dominates just It is so pervasive that it dominates just about everything that a person does.about everything that a person does.

E.g., A person so power-hungry that they E.g., A person so power-hungry that they are solely driven by that need for control.are solely driven by that need for control.