Trait Theories

Personality Chapter

Personality

• Distinctive pattern of behavior, thoughts, motives, and emotions that characterize an individual over time.

• Can help us predict behavior in situations.

Trait Theories

• Traits are habitual ways of behaving, thinking, and feeling. Traits are permanent!

• Examples of traits: shyness, sociable, friendly, reliable, kind, hostile, serious…

Gordon Allport (1897-1967)

• Divided traits into three major categories.• 1. Cardinal traits: extremely strong

personality characteristics that define peoples’ lives. Are rare and develop later in life. Very few people have this type of trait.

• Honest Abe Lincoln, Hitler, Scrooge

Allport

• 2. Central Traits - These are the general characteristics that form the basic foundations of personality.

• Are the major characteristics you might use to describe another person.

• Most people have FIVE to TEN central traits.

Allport

• 3. Secondary traits: specific traits that influence behavior in relatively few situations. Weak personality traits. Shows up once in a while.

• Ex: you are nervous when you have to speak in front of a large group

Trait List

• Aggressive Sociable Reliable• Dominant Humble Cheerful• Confident Orderly Emotional• Organized Loyal Kind• Dull Honest Compulsive• Serious Anxious• Curious Ambitious• Generous Cautious• Talented Funny• Conforming Optimistic

“The Big Five” Trait Model

• Most widely adopted trait theory today.• Used by the dating web site eHarmony.com• Traits found in numerous cultures• Genetic component• Five basic traits

The “Big Five”

• 1. Extroverted_ _ _ _ introverted• outgoing, friendly, enthusiastic, fun-loving

vs. solitary, shy, serious, and reserved

Big Five

• 2. neurotic _ _ _ _ emotionally stable• Prone to anxiety, worry, guilt, emotional

instability vs. relaxed, calm, secure, and emotionally stable.

Big Five

• 3. Agreeable _ _ _ _ stubborn• Sensitive, warm, tolerant, easy to get along

with, concerned with other’s feelings and needs vs. cold, suspicious, hostile, callous., “my way or the highway” thinking.

Big Five

• 4. conscientious _ _ _ _ undependable• Reliable, responsible, self-discipline,

ethical, hard-working, ambitious vs. disorganized, unreliable, impulsive, careless, tends to be “late”.

Big Five

• 5.open to experience _ _ _ _ prefer the familiar.

• Imaginative, curious, intellectual, open to nontraditional perspectives vs. conforming, practical, conventional, and prefers the status quo.

Acronym used to remember the 5

• Openness to experience• Conscientiousness• Extraversion• Agreeableness• Neuroticism

• OCEAN