Chapter Two: Theories of Personality

Elements of Personality

INTRODUCTION

How are traits combined to give you your unique personality? Here are three theories that describe the trait perspective to perspective to understanding personality.

WHAT'S AHEAD

• How can psychologists tell which personality traits are basic?
• Which five dimensions of personality seem to describe people the world over?

KEY CONCEPTS

Allport's Trait Theory
Cattell's 16PF Factor Analysis of Traits
The Big Five Fundamental Traits

---

Allport's Trait Theory (p.40)

INTRODUCTION

Three levels of traits combine to give us our unique characteristics.

KEY CONCEPTS EXPLAINED

...Cardinal Traits

• Overwhelming importance
  
  
• Few people possess cardinal traits (e.g. Gandhi).

...Central (global) Traits

• Characteristic ways of behaving.
  
  
• Individual possesses 10-15 central traits.

...Secondary Traits

• Changeable aspects of personality.
  
  
• Covers preferences (e.g. food, music), habits, opinions.

GLOSSARY

	personality
	trait

Cattel's 16PF Factor Analysis of Traits (p.40)

INTRODUCTION

Cattell used another procedure for identifying underlying traits.

KEY CONCEPTS EXPLAINED

Factor Analysis

• Items on personality tests are statistically grouped into clusters that seem to be measuring underlying common factors.
  
  
• Identifies clusters of correlated items.
  
  
• rewind to Chapter One discussion of correlation.

Surface Traits

• Visible in the person's words or deeds.

Source Traits

• The underlying sources of surface qualities.
  
  

  Surface Traits		Assertiveness	Courage	Ambition
  Source Traits		Dominance

GLOSSARY

factor analysis

LINKS About Cattell's Personality Factors

• www link: A detailed description of the 16 personality factors.
• www link: Examples of some of the questions associated with the factors.

The Big Five Fundamental Traits [p. 41]

INTRODUCTION

All the surface traits have been clustered into five fundamental traits.

KEY CONCEPTS EXPLAINED

1. Introversion versus Extroversion
   
   
   • Introversion = shy
     
     
   • Extroversion = outgoing
     
     
2. Neuroticism versus Emotional Stability
   
   
   • Anxiety, instability and negativity
     
     
   • Worriers, complainers and defeatists
     
     
   • "Negative emotionality" - the tendency to negative emotions
     
     
3. Agreeableness (Agreeable versus Stubborn)
   
   
   • Capacity for friendly relationships or the tendency to have hostile ones.
     
     
4. Conscientiousness versus undependable
   
   
   • Responsible vs. undependable.
     
     
5. Openness to Experience versus Conforming
   
   
   • Imaginative versus prefers the familiar.

• These traits remain stable over time.
  
  
• Although there is some disagreement, the evidence for the Big Five continues to mount.

LINKS about the "Big Five"

• www link: Where do you fall on the Big Five?

Next Topic - The Biological Tradition ..................................... Chapter Contents