1. Trait Theory
Chapter 11

2. Key Concepts
PERSONALITY TRAITS are permanent characteristics each of us has
Taken together, they make up our personality
Traits influence how we perceive the world and respond to it
Trait theorists agree on what a personality trait is
Disagree on which are most important & how they are observed
Trait theories are concerned with describing what personality is rather than where personality comes from.

3. Gordon Allport Theory starts with common terms used to describe people
Honest, dominant, outgoing, etc.
Three categories of traits
Stronger and most often expressed  weaker, less commonly expressed

4. Traits Cardinal Traits Central Traits
Extremely strong personality characteristics
Expressed in almost all activities
“Ruling Passion”
Quite rare
Hitler; Mother Teresa
Central Traits
Highly characteristic; apply to most situations
Described by 5-10 of them
Contains what we think of as traits
Optimistic, decisive, etc.
Hitler’s cardinal trait  power and control
Mother Teresa  concern for others

5. Traits cont. Secondary Traits Nomotheitc approach Idiographic approach
Weakest, least characteristic
Appear only in certain situations
Do not describe someone well
Aggressive only when others attacked
Nomotheitc approach
Study large groups of people searching for general laws
Idiographic approach
Studying individuals to understand uniqueness

6. Hans Eysenck Factor Analysis
Describes the extent to which personality variables are related
There are only 2 dimensions necessary to describe personalities

7. Dimensions Extraversion Emotional Stability Opposite: Introversion
Scaled from very outgoing to very quiet
Opposite: emotional instability
How much a person is affected by feelings

8. Eysenck Trait Questionnaire

9. Raymond Cattell Source Traits Surface Traits Describe regular behavior
Friend constantly gives in, never takes a stand
Traits cluster together because of underlying trait
Underling trait
Produces behaviors we can see
Source trait from example: submissive
16 total source traits

10. Raymond Cattell

11. Examining Personality Traits

12. The Five-Factor Model
Twin studies have shown that five personality factors seem to be inherited
Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Emotional Stability, Openness to experience
Found across cultures
Tend to be relatively set throughout life
Established early, set by our 20s

13. Effects of the Environment
Personality theorists believe ~50% of personality is heredity
Environment is not strictly “good” or “bad”
Seemingly same environment vastly different for different kids
Reacting differently to the same things
Example: Birth order
Interactions with siblings carry more weight on our personality than interactions with parents