Personality Traits… Introductory Activity Think about your friend sitting next to you and write down eight words that describe their personality.

Personality Traits… In describing this person, you may have identified some of their personality traits. A personality trait is a personality characteristic that endures (lasts) over time and across different situations.  Trait theories of personality focus on measuring, identifying and describing individual differences in personality in terms of traits. 

Trait Theories Theories which attempt to explain personality in terms of groups of traits that are possessed by an individual. Allport – Central/Secondary/Cardinal Traits Cattell – 16PF Eysenck – PEN Costa & McCrae – NEO-PI/FIVE FACTOR

Gordon Allport Central/Secondary/Cardinal Trait Theory Allport believed that each individual has a unique set of traits and that these determined how individuals react to certain events in the environment. He compiled a list of all words (from the dictionary) used to describe personality. Then he took out synonyms (words that have similar meanings) He also took out words which were rarely used in everyday language (eg. chrematistic) He was then left with about 4500 words!

Gordon Allport Allport organised these ‘trait words’ into three groups:

Cardinal Traits Cardinal traits – have a significant effect on everything we do Affect every area of the individual’s life It is a motivator (driving force) and determinant of behaviour E.g. A person may have an overwhelming need to be powerful and this need for power can be seen in virtually all their behaviour Cardinal traits are very dominant but so rare that few people possess them Example: Mother Theresa – Altruistic Mother Theresa – altruistic

Did Hitler possess one of Allport’s ‘rare’ cardinal traits?

Central Traits Central traits – core personality traits that characterise an individual personality The building blocks of our personality Influence our behaviour in many situations Present in varying degrees in all people within a culture or society When you describe someone’s behaviour, you would tend to use central traits Examples: independent, trustworthy, competitive, sensitive & fearful When you describe someone's behaviour, you would tend to use central traits

Secondary Traits Secondary traits – the superficial aspects of a person Affects narrower aspects of our lives Present in varying degrees in all people Secondary traits are like preferences which can change depending on where we are and what we are doing or thinking about doing They control far less behaviour than central and cardinal traits and affect behaviour in fewer situations. Examples: ‘liking a style of clothing’, ‘disliking a kind of food’, ‘road raging’

Personality Description Name: Martin Maloney Age: 15 Cardinal trait: to be accepted by others Central traits: self-centered, possessive, outgoing, sociable, conformist, ambitious Secondary traits: dresses in latest fashion, loves rap music, prides himself on his physical fitness

Learning Activity Locate a photo of a well-known person, such as historical figure, politician, rock star or movie star (you can choose to do yourself or a friend). Stick the photo onto your page. Using Allport’s trait theory and based on the Martin Maloney example, write a personality profile for your chosen person. Ensure you give examples of the different trait types and that you logically arrange your information.

Raymond Cattell 16(PF) Personality Factor Model Raymond Cattell also set out to identify personality traits. He was not satisfied with the method used by Allport. He doubted that personality would have thousands of traits. He believed personality could be more accurately measured and described. He developed a model of personality with a method using statistical procedures Cattell proposed that personality could be categorised into different types of traits: Surface traits Source traits

Surface Traits Is a trait that lies on the ‘surface’ of personality. It can be observed indirectly through the behaviour of a person Displayed by individuals each day. For example: shy, quiet, disliking crowds A set of surface traits combine to form a single source trait.

Source Traits An underlying trait that can be observed in behaviour through a set of surface traits which it reflects. Forms the core of personality. For example: Being shy, quiet and disliking crowds are surface traits relating to the more basic source trait of introversion There are 16 source traits which form the structure of personality.

How do surface and source traits reflect personality? Eg. Sophie is described as being detached, critical, aloof and uninvolved. According to Cattel, these are surface traits that could be said to reflect Sophie’s more general underlying source trait of reserved.

What is the 16PF? The 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire. People are asked a series of questions. The results of which are analysed to form an overall ‘profile’. The 16PF is a useful tool, it allows data from many profiles or groups of people to be compared.

Tasks: How do surface and source traits reflect your personality? (refer to slide 16 for an example). 2. Compete Personality theory template: Allport – Central/Secondary/Cardinal Traits Cattell – 16PF 3. Complete activity 8.2 in student activity manual