Trait Theories Trait Theories

Basic Assumptions and Central Basic Assumptions and Central PointsPoints

behavior determined by stable generalizedbehavior determined by stable generalized traitstraits basic qualities that exist within a person andbasic qualities that exist within a person and express themselves across situationsexpress themselves across situations

goal of trait psychology:goal of trait psychology: determine those trait dimensionsdetermine those trait dimensions determine where people stand relative to others determine where people stand relative to others

(indiv. diff.s)(indiv. diff.s)

Types Vs. Traits Types Vs. Traits

types: types: discrete categoriesdiscrete categories

traits: traits: dimensionsdimensions

Allport Allport

uniqueness of the individualuniqueness of the individual

Cardinal TraitsCardinal Traits Central TraitsCentral Traits Secondary Dispositions Secondary Dispositions

Idiographic Vs. NomotheticIdiographic Vs. Nomothetic

CattellCattell

Surface Traits Surface Traits Source Traits Source Traits

Factor AnalysisFactor Analysis 16 PF16 PF

EysenckEysenck

3 main factors (really 2)3 main factors (really 2)

Introversion-ExtroversionIntroversion-ExtroversionNeuroticism Neuroticism

Psychoticism (antisocial)Psychoticism (antisocial)

The Big 5The Big 5

Psycholexical approachPsycholexical approach

Costa & McCraeCosta & McCrae

Big 5Big 5 OpennessOpenness ConscientiousnessConscientiousness Extraversion-(Introversion)Extraversion-(Introversion) AgeeablenessAgeeableness NeuroticismNeuroticism

OCEANOCEAN

Common FeaturesCommon Features

traits account for traits account for consistencyconsistency most differentiate between superficial most differentiate between superficial

and underlyingand underlying traits are traits are stable stable over time and situationover time and situation

focus of research is to find basic focus of research is to find basic dimensions and develop good measures dimensions and develop good measures of themof them

Problems/Criticisms of Trait Problems/Criticisms of Trait approachapproach

AtheoreticalAtheoretical ( underlying traits ( underlying traits arrived at empirically not arrived at empirically not theoretically)theoretically)

TautologyTautology (circular reasoning) (circular reasoning) can can describe not explaindescribe not explain

Is that all there is???Is that all there is??? Exaggerate consistency and Exaggerate consistency and

ignore situationignore situation

Revision of Trait TheoryRevision of Trait Theory

Types of Consistency Types of Consistency (aggregated, if-then)(aggregated, if-then)

Person X Situation Interaction Person X Situation Interaction

Signatures (Mischel) “if-then”Signatures (Mischel) “if-then”

Assessment Assessment

Basic assumptions Basic assumptions

can assess personality by askingcan assess personality by asking traits are quantifiable and scalabletraits are quantifiable and scalable behaviors are behaviors are ““signssigns””, but of , but of

underlying traitsunderlying traits

Common MeasuresCommon Measures

MMPI MMPI clinical profiles, objective standardized clinical profiles, objective standardized scoringscoring10 subcales10 subcales

NEO-PI NEO-PI based on Big 5based on Big 5global measure of normal personalityglobal measure of normal personality

Reliability Reliability

ValidityValidity

TestingTesting

problems/criticism re: use of personality problems/criticism re: use of personality testingtesting

bias in testing bias in testing (self-report bias, statistical bias, cultural bias)(self-report bias, statistical bias, cultural bias)

ethics of testing ethics of testing (privacy, use of test results, etc.)(privacy, use of test results, etc.) labelinglabeling

Social policy and decision makingSocial policy and decision making