Trait Perspective

Trait Perspective Describe personality in terms of fundamental traits Not trying to explain why these traits exist, only describe them and classify them

Trait Perspective Trait = a characteristic pattern of behavior or a disposition to feel and act e.g. introvert, outgoing, cheerful, anxious, … How do we describe and classify traits? According to “types” Many different systems have been used

Classifying Traits Ancient Greeks: according to the four body humors - Melancholic (depressed) - Sanguine (cheerful) - Phlegmatic (unemotional) - Choleric (irritable) Sheldon’s Body Types: - Mesomorph - Ectomorph - Endomorph

Ancient Greek “Humors”

Sheldon’s Body Types

Classifying traits Myers-Briggs Types: Classifies personality according to four dichotomies (opposites) Extrovert  Introvert Sensing  Intuition Thinking  Feeling Judgment Perception How do we know which systems is the best?

Classifying Traits Factor Analysis: statistical procedure to identify clusters of behavior that are related, and reflect a basic trait e.g. outgoing people tend to say they like excitement and practical jokes, and dislike quiet reading Trait = extraversion

Eysenck Personality Questionnaire:

Classifying Traits The Big Five: Emotional Stability Extraversion Slightly expanded set of factors that is still considered the standard in describing personality Emotional Stability Extraversion Openness Agreeableness Conscientiousness

THE BIG FIVE Emotional Stability Calm : Anxious Secure : Insecure Self-Satisfied : Self-Pitying Extraversion Sociable : Retiring Fun-Loving : Sober Affectionate : Reserved Openness Imaginative : Practical Variety : Routine Independent : Conforming Agreeableness Soft-Hearted : Ruthless Trusting : Suspicious Helpful : Uncooperative Conscientiousness Organized : Disorganized Careful : Careless Disciplined : Impulsive THE BIG FIVE

Classifying Traits More recent research has revealed: Characteristics of the Big 5: More stable in adulthood 50% hereditary Cross-Cultural Can be used to predict behavior

Assessing Traits Personality Inventories: long questionnaires where people respond (T/F) to items designed to gauge a wide range of feelings and behaviors Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) Compared responses to hundred of questions between normal and disordered people Retained any statements that differed from normal e.g. “Nothing in the newspaper interests me except the comics”  indicative of depression

Evaluating the Trait Perspective Person-Situation Controversy: Remember: Is our behavior influenced by our personal disposition, or situational context? Do personality traits persist over time and across situations? Time: Personality trait scores correlated well over time Children (0.31), Collegians (0.54), 30-Year olds (0.54), Over 70 (0.74) YES Situation: little correlation between behavior in one situation and the next. NO

Assessing the Trait Perspective Therefore, scores on personality tests only mildly predict behavior Example: If one test determines you are an extrovert, it does not predict how you will act in each social situation But, we can use personality tests to predict the average of our traits. The best indicator = people who know us well!

Online Personality Test This test is based on Carl Jung and Isabel Briggs Myers typological approach to personality: http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes1.htm

Lemon Test Are you an introvert or an extrovert?