unit x: personality...walter mischel (1968, 1984, 2004) points out that traits may be enduring, but...
TRANSCRIPT
Unit X:Personality Module 58
Trait Theories
Traits 58-1
The Trait Perspective
Examples of Traits:
Honest
Dependable
Moody
Impulsive
An individual’s characteristic behaviors and conscious motives constitutes his or her
personality.
58-1
Exploring Traits
• Each personality is uniquely made up of multiple traits.
• Allport & Odbert (1936), identified almost 18,000 words representing traits.
58-1
Factor Analysis
Developed by Hans and Sybil Eysenck as a statistical approach to describe and relate personality traits
58-1
Assessing Traits 58-2
Assessing Traits
• Personality inventories are questionnaires designed to gauge a wide range of feelings and behaviors, assessing several traits at once.
• The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) is the most widely researched and clinically used of all personality tests.
58-2
Big Five Factors 58-3
The Big Five Factors
Conscientiousness
Agreeableness
Neuroticism
Openness
Extraversion
• Today’s trait researchers believe that earlier trait dimensions, such as Eysencks’ personality dimensions, fail to tell the whole story.
• So, an expanded range (five factors) of traits does a better job of assessment.
58-3
Evaluating Trait Theories 58-4
The Person-Situation Controversy
Walter Mischel (1968, 1984, 2004) points
out that traits may be enduring, but the
resulting behavior in various situations is
different. Therefore, traits are not good
predictors of behavior.
However, trait theorists argue that behaviors from
a situation may be different, but average behavior
remains the same. Therefore, traits matter.
58-4