1. Trait Perspective

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Ancient Greek “Humors”

6. Sheldon’s Body Types

7. 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?

9. 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

10. Eysenck Personality Questionnaire:

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

16. 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

17. 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!

18. Online Personality Test
This test is based on Carl Jung and Isabel Briggs Myers typological approach to personality:

19. Lemon Test
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?