1. Trait Approach to Personality
Q: What is the trait approach to personality and how does it differ from the psychodynamic approach?

2. The Theory:
Unlike the psychodynamic approach which argues that most of personality is a function of the unconscious mind, the trait approach argues that people’s personality is a function of characteristics that people exhibit over time and across situations.
These personality traits are relatively stable and can become somewhat predictable

3. Traits Versus Types:
In older thought, people tried to describe a certain type of personality that would explain their reactions in a certain way
In the traits theory, the traits explain the type, not the other way around

4. Big 5 Personality Dimensions:
According to Raymond Cattell, there are 5 major factors that determine personality
These traits will determine what we do in a situation.
They can also help us determine the personality of others

5. Nature versus Nurture:
According to Hans Eysenk, our personality is more of a function of genetics than learning
He argued that we would react a certain way based o two factors
Introversion vs. Extroversion
Emotionality vs. Stability

6. Eysenck’s 4 levels of Personality: