1. The Trait Theory

3. What is the trait approach to personality? A trait The typical way a person perceives, feels, believes or acts. Example: introverted, thinker, feeler, uptight The trait approach says a personality is the sum of all the traits. Problem: traits are situational, not permanent.

4. What is Myers-Briggs personality type? There are 16 different personality types. Example: ESFJ – Extroverted, Sensor, Feeler, Judger

10. Virtually all trait models, and even ancient Greek philosophy, include extraversion vs. introversion as a central dimension of human personality. Another prominent trait that is found in nearly all models is Neuroticism, or emotional instability.ancient Greek philosophyextraversion vs. introversionNeuroticism

11. Five Factor Model (modern) Tests our personality by measuring a person’s level of extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability- instability, and openness to experience. Similar to the Meyers-Briggs. Are 5 traits enough?

12. Extraversion: This trait includes characteristics such as excitability, sociability, talkativeness, assertiveness and high amounts of emotional expressiveness. Agreeableness: This personality dimension includes attributes such as trust, altruism, kindness, affection, and other prosocial behaviors. Conscientiousness: Common features of this dimension include high levels of thoughtfulness, with good impulse control and goal-directed behaviors. Those high in conscientiousness tend to be organized and mindful of details. Neuroticism: Individuals high in this trait tend to experience emotional instability, anxiety, moodiness, irritability, and sadness. Openness: This trait features characteristics such as imagination and insight, and those high in this trait also tend to have a broad range of interests.

13. The MMPI The most common test today is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. Assesses “abnormal” personality tendencies rather than traits Empircally derived – meaning the creators selected the items that differentiate one person from another (they tested a lot of question items and use the most discriminatory – in a good way -- items)

14. Hippocrates Believed our personality is based on 4 “humours” or bodily fluids (blood, phlegm, cholera, black bile)

15. Testing the Traits Self-report tests are questionnaires. Used by humanists and others. Used more commonly than projective. They rely on honesty. Ex: Five factor, MMPI, like the Myers-Briggs.