Ch. 14 S. 1 The Trait Approach Obj: Explain the main features and limitations of the trait theory of personality.

The Trait Approach A trait is an aspect of personality that is considered to be reasonably stable. The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates believed that traits resulted from different combinations of bodily fluids called Humors.

In the 1930’s, psychologist Gordon Allport compiled a list of 18,000 human traits from a list of descriptive words. These were physical, behavioral, and moral descriptions. Allports research led him to conclude that traits are the building blocks of personality.

British psychologist Hans J. Eysenck focused on the relationships between two personality dimensions; introversion- extroversion and emotional stability- instability.

Introverts tend to be imaginative and to look inward rather than to other people for their ideas and energy. Extroverts tend to be active and self- expressive and gain energy from interaction with other people.

The Five-Factor Model Extroversion – talkative vs. shy Agreeableness – kind vs. selfish Conscientiousness – organized vs. careless. Emotional stability- instability – reliability vs. moodiness. Openness to Experience – imagination vs. shallowness.

One shortcoming of this approach is that it describes personality but does not explain where traits come from. Focuses on describing traits rather than tracing their origins and how certain traits in people can change. Pigeonholing people into one oversimplified characteristic.