Lecture Notes on Trait Theory

Introduction to Trait Theory

• Trait Theory: Describes individual personalities using traits.
  • Defines personality in terms of identifiable patterns of behavior.
  • Focuses on description rather than explanation.

Key Concepts

• Traits: Relatively stable characteristics that influence behavior.
  • Characteristics that cause consistent behavior patterns.
  • Unique combinations of traits form individual personalities.

Major Theorists and Their Contributions

Gordon Allport

• Proposed that individuals possess different traits.
• Developed a list of 4,500 descriptive trait words.
• Categories of Traits:
  • Cardinal Traits: Dominant traits influencing most behaviors.
  • Central Traits: Less dominant traits (e.g., honesty, sociability).
  • Secondary Traits: Preferences and attitudes (e.g., liking modern art).

Raymond Cattell

• Proposed 16 essential personality traits shared by everyone.
• Developed the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF).

Hans Eysenck

• Proposed three major dimensions of personality:
  • Extraversion: Degree of sociability.
  • Neuroticism: Emotional stability.
  • Psychoticism: Degree to which reality is distorted.
• Believed all individuals possess varying degrees of extraversion and neuroticism, but not necessarily psychoticism.

The Big Five Personality Traits

• Traits found in all populations.
• Openness: Independent vs. conforming, imaginative vs. practical.
• Conscientiousness: Careful vs. careless, disciplined vs. impulsive.
• Extraversion: Talkative vs. quiet, fun-loving vs. sober.
• Agreeableness: Kind vs. cold, appreciative vs. unfriendly.
• Neuroticism: Stable vs. tense, calm vs. anxious.
• Acronym to Remember: OCEAN (Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism).

Methodology

• Factor Analysis: Used by Cattell, Eysenck, and the Big Five theorists.
  • Statistical method to categorize traits.
  • Helps reduce the number of variables and classify them.
  • Now aided by computer software for calculations.
• Allport's Approach: Did not use factor analysis, relied on different methods.

Conclusion

• Trait theory provides a framework for understanding personality through stable characteristics and their influence on behavior.
• Various theorists contribute different models to explain and categorize these traits.
• Understanding these theories aids in grasping how personality traits shape individual behavior and interactions.