Trait Theories

Basic Assumptions and Central Points behavior determined by stable generalized behavior determined by stable generalized traits traits basic qualities that exist within a person and basic qualities that exist within a person and express themselves across situations express themselves across situations goal of trait psychology: goal of trait psychology: determine those trait dimensions determine those trait dimensions determine where people stand relative to others (indiv. diff.s) determine where people stand relative to others (indiv. diff.s)

Types Vs. Traits types: discrete categories types: discrete categories traits: dimensions traits: dimensions

Allport uniqueness of the individual uniqueness of the individual Cardinal Traits Cardinal Traits Central Traits Central Traits Secondary Dispositions Secondary Dispositions Idiographic Vs. Nomothetic Idiographic Vs. Nomothetic

Cattell Surface Traits Surface Traits Source Traits Source Traits Factor Analysis Factor Analysis 16 PF 16 PF

Eysenck 3 main factors (really 2) Introversion-ExtroversionNeuroticism Psychoticism (antisocial)

The Big 5 Psycholexical approach Psycholexical approach Costa & McCrae Costa & McCrae

Big 5 Openness Openness Conscientiousness Conscientiousness Extraversion-(Introversion) Extraversion-(Introversion) Ageeableness Ageeableness Neuroticism Neuroticism OCEAN OCEAN

Common Features traits account for consistency traits account for consistency most differentiate between superficial and underlying most differentiate between superficial and underlying traits are stable over time and situation traits are stable over time and situation focus of research is to find basic dimensions and develop good measures of them focus of research is to find basic dimensions and develop good measures of them

Problems/Criticisms of Trait approach Atheoretical ( underlying traits arrived at empirically not theoretically) Atheoretical ( underlying traits arrived at empirically not theoretically) Tautology (circular reasoning) can describe not explain Tautology (circular reasoning) can describe not explain Is that all there is??? Is that all there is??? Exaggerate consistency and ignore situation Exaggerate consistency and ignore situation

Revision of Trait Theory Types of Consistency (aggregated, if-then) Types of Consistency (aggregated, if-then) Person X Situation Interaction Person X Situation Interaction Signatures (Mischel) “if-then” Signatures (Mischel) “if-then”

Assessment Basic assumptions Basic assumptions can assess personality by asking can assess personality by asking traits are quantifiable and scalable traits are quantifiable and scalable behaviors are “signs”, but of underlying traits behaviors are “signs”, but of underlying traits

Common Measures MMPI MMPI clinical profiles, objective standardized scoring 10 subcales NEO-PI NEO-PI based on Big 5 global measure of normal personality

Reliability Reliability Validity Validity

Testing problems/criticism re: use of personality testing problems/criticism re: use of personality testing bias in testing (self-report bias, statistical bias, cultural bias) bias in testing (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.) labeling labeling Social policy and decision making Social policy and decision making