1. Trait Theories

2. Basic Assumptions and Central Points behavior determined by stable generalized behavior determined by stable generalized traits traits basic qualities that exist within a person and basic qualities that exist within a person and express themselves across situations express themselves across situations goal of trait psychology: goal of trait psychology: determine those trait dimensions determine those trait dimensions determine where people stand relative to others (indiv. diff.s) determine where people stand relative to others (indiv. diff.s)

3. Types Vs. Traits types: discrete categories types: discrete categories traits: dimensions traits: dimensions

4. Allport uniqueness of the individual uniqueness of the individual Cardinal Traits Cardinal Traits Central Traits Central Traits Secondary Dispositions Secondary Dispositions Idiographic Vs. Nomothetic Idiographic Vs. Nomothetic

5. Cattell Surface Traits Surface Traits Source Traits Source Traits Factor Analysis Factor Analysis

6. Eysenck Introversion-Extroversion Introversion-Extroversion Neuroticism Neuroticism Psychoticism (antisocial) Psychoticism (antisocial)

8. The Big 5 Psycholexical approach Psycholexical approach Costa & McCrae Costa & McCrae

10. Big 5 Openness Openness Conscientiousness Conscientiousness Extraversion-(Introversion) Extraversion-(Introversion) Ageeableness Ageeableness Neuroticism Neuroticism OCEAN OCEAN

11. Common Features traits account for consistency traits account for consistency most differentiate between superficial and underlying most differentiate between superficial and underlying traits are stable over time and situation traits are stable over time and situation focus of research is to find basic dimensions and develop good measures of them focus of research is to find basic dimensions and develop good measures of them

12. Problems/Criticisms of Trait approach Atheoretical ( underlying traits arrived at empirically not theoretically) Atheoretical ( underlying traits arrived at empirically not theoretically) Tautology (circular reasoning) can describe not explain Tautology (circular reasoning) can describe not explain Is that all there is??? Is that all there is??? Exaggerate consistency and ignore situation Exaggerate consistency and ignore situation

13. Revision of Trait Theory Signatures Signatures Types of Consistency (aggregated, if-then) Types of Consistency (aggregated, if-then) Person X Situation Interaction Person X Situation Interaction Triple Typology Triple Typology

14. Assessment Basic assumptions Basic assumptions can assess personality by asking can assess personality by asking traits are quantifiable and scalable traits are quantifiable and scalable behaviors are “signs”, but of underlying traits behaviors are “signs”, but of underlying traits

15. Common Measures MMPI MMPI NEO-PI NEO-PI

16. Reliability Reliability Validity Validity

17. Testing Problems/criticism re: use of personality testing Problems/criticism re: use of personality testing bias in testing bias in testing effects of labeling effects of labeling ethics of testing ethics of testing Purpose of the test Purpose of the test