1. Trait Theories
Personality Unit

2. What is a Trait?
Definition: A tendency to react to a situation in a way that remains stable over time
A trait is any relatively enduring way in which one individual differs from another
Nice
Smart
Arrogant
Are traits temporary or permanent?

3. Trait Theory General Assumptions:
Every trait applies to all people
These descriptions can be quantified
An extremely passive person might score a 1 while an extremely aggressive person would score a 10

4. Trait Theory
Most trait theorists believe that a few basic traits are central for all people
Psychologists who accept this approach set out on their search for basic traits with very few assumptions

5. Gordon Allport: Identifying Traits
Three types of individual traits:
Cardinal Trait – characteristic or feature that is so pervasive the person is almost identified with it
Central Trait – makes us predictable
Secondary Trait – preferences (such as food or music) have a less consistent influence over us

6. Raymond Cattell: Sixteen Trait Theory
Factor Analysis: Statistical technique used to identify the underlying reasons variables are correlated
Surface Trait: Stable characteristics that can be observed in certain situations
46 of Allport’s traits (occur in clusters)
Source Trait: stable characteristic that can be considered to be at the core of personality
16 “clusters” of surface traits

7. Cattell’s Sixteen Source Traits