1. Trait Theories
Chapter 14, Section 5

2. What is the Trait Theory of Personality?
Trait theorists generally make 2 basic assumptions:
Every trait applies to all people
Aggressiveness is on a continuum: some are extremely aggressive/others not so much
Traits are used to predict people’s future behavior
Traits used in one type of situation will likely be used in another

3. Gordon Allport: Identifying Traits
A trait makes a wide variety of situations “functionally equivalent”
A person’s traits will be consistent in different situations
Honesty vs. dishonesty
Cardinal traits
So pervasive that the person is almost identified as the trait
Scrooge= stingy, grumpy
What traits identify you?

4. Raymond Cattell: 16 Trait Theory
Surface traits- 46 characteristics that can be observed in certain situations
Using factor analysis, he found that certain surface traits seem to occur in clusters
These resulted in 16 source traits
Traits that are the core of personality
By measurement of these traits, behavior can be predicted

5. Hans Eysenck: Dimensions of Personality
2 basic dimensions
Stability versus instability
Degree to which people have control over their feelings
Extraversion versus introversion
Extroverts are sociable and outgoing, active
Introverts are more thoughtful, reserved, unsociable
Years after these identifications, Eysenck added psychoticism
On continuum
Self-centered, hostile and aggressive, act without thought
High superegos
Socially sensitive, high on caring and empathy

6. The Robust Five
Over the years, trait theorists have devised a number of ways to measure personality. Each involves a different number of traits. These psychologists have shown 5 traits that repeatedly appear in the various studies
Extraversion- warmth, sociable, energetic
Agreeableness- sympathetic to others
Conscientiousness- dutiful, dedicated, responsible
Openness to experience- open-minded, willing to try new things
Emotional stability- experience situations easily and w/o getting upset
According to psychologists, these traits are on a continuum and have many related traits. These traits are relatively fixed.