Presentation on TRAIT THEORIES

BY: BABASAB PATIL

(Costa & McCrae) Psychological organization of the individual as a whole and especially to those features that distinguish the individual from others

(Mischel)
Distinctive patterns of behavior, thought, emotion that

characterize each person's adaptation to the situations of life

Contd
An individual's unique pattern of thoughts, feelings, and

behaviors that persists over time and across situations

Two key components Personality refers to unique differences Personality is presumed to be stable and enduring

Theories of Personality
Four Theories of Personality

1. Trait

2. Psychoanalytic
3. Humanistic 4. Socio-Cognitive

Trait Theory
In psychology, Trait theory is a major approach to the study of human personality. Trait theorists are primarily interested in

the measurement of traits, which can be defined as habitual

patterns of behavior, thought, and emotion.According to this perspective, traits are relatively stable over time, differ among individuals (e.g. some people are outgoing whereas others are shy), and influence behavior.

Contd
the trait approach to personality is focused on differences

between individuals. The combination and interaction of

various traits forms a personality that is unique to each individual. Trait theory is focused on identifying and

measuring these individual personality characteristics.

GORDON ALLPORT TRAIT THEORY

Gordon Allport (1897-1967) is often called the father of personality theory: was an early pioneer in the study of traits, He was very much a trait theorist and believed in the individuality and uniqueness of the person and that people have consistent personalities.

Contd.
He categorized these traits into three levels: Cardinal Traits: Traits that dominate an individuals whole life, often to the point that the person becomes known specifically for these traits. People with such personalities

often become so known for these traits that their names are
often synonymous with these qualities.

Contd
Central Traits: These are the general characteristics that form the traits. Secondary Traits: These are the traits that are sometimes related to attitudes or preferences and often appear only in certain situations or under specific circumstances. Some basic foundations of personality.. Terms such as intelligent, honest, shy and anxious are considered central

examples would be getting anxious when speaking to a group

or impatient while waiting in line.

Hans Jrgen Eysenck theory

Hans Jrgen Eysenck (19161997) was a British psychologist of German origin, best remembered for his work on intelligence and

personality, Eysencks theory is based primarily on physiology and

genetics. Although he is a behaviorist who considers learned habits of great importance, he considers personality differences as growing

out of our genetic inheritance. He is, therefore, primarily interested

in what is usually called temperament. His methods involve a statistical technique called factor

analysis. This technique extracts a number of dimensions from

large masses of data.

Contd..
Eysenck's three factor model contains the Introversion-extroversion, Psychoticism (such antisocial traits as cruelty and rejection of

social customs),
Emotionality-stability (also called neuroticism).

Contd..
Extraversion/Introversion Extraversion is characterized by being outgoing, talkative,

high on positive affect (feeling good), and in need of external

stimulation. Extraverts, according to Eysenck's theory, are chronically under-aroused and bored and are therefore in need of external stimulation to bring them up to an optimal level of performance. Introverts, on the other hand, are chronically over-aroused and jittery and are therefore in need of peace and quiet to bring them up to an optimal level of performance.

Contd
Neuroticism/Stability Neuroticism or emotionality is characterized by high levels of negative affect such as depression and anxiety.

Contd
The two dimensions or axes, extraversion-introversion and emotional stability-instability, define four quadrants. These are made

up of:
stable extraverts (sanguine qualities such as - outgoing, talkative, responsive, easygoing, lively, carefree, leadership)

unstable extraverts (choleric qualities such as - touchy, restless,

excitable, changeable, impulsive, irresponsible) stable introverts (phlegmatic qualities such as - calm, eventempered, reliable, controlled, peaceful, thoughtful, careful, passive) unstable introverts (melancholic qualities such as - quiet, reserved, pessimistic, sober, rigid, anxious, moody).

Contd..
Psychoticism/ Socialization Psychotic behavior is rooted in the characteristics of toughmindedness, non-conformity, inconsideration, recklessness, hostility, anger and impulsiveness.

Psychoticism
Aggressive Assertive Egocentric
Unsympathetic

Extraversion
Sociable Irresponsible Dominant
Lack of reflection

Neuroticism
Anxious Depressed Guilt Feelings
Low self-esteem

Manipulative

Sensation-seeking

Tense

Achievement-oriented Dogmatic Masculine Tough-minded

Impulsive Risk-taking Expressive Active

Moody -----Lack of autonomy Obsessive

RAYMOND CATTELL TRAIT THEORY

According to Cattell, these 16 traits are the source of all human personality. He also developed one of the most widely used personality assessments known as the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF).

Primary Factors and Descriptors in Cattell's 16 Personality Factor Model

Descriptors of Low Range
Reserve, impersonal, distant, cool, reserved, impersonal, detached, formal, aloof (Sizothymia) Concrete thinking, lower general mental capacity, less intelligent, unable to handle abstract problems (Lower Scholastic Mental Capacity) Reactive emotionally, changeable, affected by feelings, emotionally less stable, easily upset (Lower Ego Strength) Deferential, cooperative, avoids conflict, submissive, humble, obedient, easily led, docile, accommodating (Submissiveness)

Primary Factor
Warmth

Descriptors of High Range

Warm, outgoing, attentive to others, kindly, easy going, participating, likes people (Affectothymia)

Reasoning

Abstract-thinking, more intelligent, bright, higher general mental capacity, fast learner (Higher Scholastic Mental Capacity)

Emotional Stability

Emotionally stable, adaptive, mature, faces reality calm (Higher Ego Strength)

Dominance

Dominant, forceful, assertive, aggressive, competitive, stubborn, bossy (Dominance)

Serious, restrained, prudent, taciturn, introspective, silent (Desurgency)

Liveliness

Lively, animated, spontaneous, enthusiastic, happy go lucky, cheerful, expressive, impulsive (Surgency)

Expedient, nonconforming, disregards rules, self indulgent (Low Super Ego Strength)

Rule-Consciousness

Rule-conscious, dutiful, conscientious, conforming, moralistic, staid, rule bound (High Super Ego Strength)

Shy, threat-sensitive, timid, hesitant, intimidated (Threctia)

Social Boldness

Socially bold, venturesome, thick skinned, uninhibited (Parmia)

Utilitarian, objective, unsentimental, tough minded, self-reliant, no-nonsense, rough (Harria)

Sensitivity

Sensitive, aesthetic, sentimental, tender minded, intuitive, refined (Premsia)

Trusting, unsuspecting, accepting, Vigilance unconditional, easy (Alaxia)

Vigilant, suspicious, skeptical, distrustful, oppositional (Protension)

Grounded, practical, prosaic, solution orientated, steady, conventional (Praxernia)

Abstractedness

Abstract, imaginative, absent minded, impractical, absorbed in ideas (Autia)

Forthright, genuine, artless, open, guileless, naive, unpretentious, Privateness involved (Artlessness)

Private, discreet, nondisclosing, shrewd, polished, worldly, astute, diplomatic (Shrewdness)

Self-Assured, unworried, complacent, secure, free of guilt, confident, self satisfied (Untroubled)

Apprehension

Apprehensive, self doubting, worried, guilt prone, insecure, worrying, self blaming (Guilt Proneness)

Traditional, attached to familiar, conservative, respecting traditional Openness to Change ideas (Conservatism)

Open to change, experimental, liberal, analytical, critical, free thinking, flexibility (Radicalism)

Group-oriented, affiliative, a joiner and follower dependent (Group Self-Reliance Adherence)

Self-reliant, solitary, resourceful, individualistic, self sufficient (Self-Sufficiency)

Tolerated disorder, unexacting, flexible, undisciplined, lax, selfconflict, impulsive, careless of social rues, uncontrolled (Low Integration)

Perfectionism

Perfectionistic, organized, compulsive, self-disciplined, socially precise, exacting will power, control, self sentimental (High Self-Concept Control)

Relaxed, placid, tranquil, torpid, patient, composed low drive (Low Tension Ergic Tension)

Tense, high energy, impatient, driven, frustrated, over wrought, time driven. (High Ergic Tension)

"Big Five" factors (Five Factor Model)

Five-factor model of personality represents five core traits that interact to form human personality. While researchers often disagree about the exact labels for each dimension, the following are described most commonly :The Big five factors are openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeablenes s, and neuroticism (OCEAN, or CANOE if rearranged).

Contd
Openness Appreciation for art, emotion, adventure, unusual ideas, curiosity, and variety of experience. Ex : I have a rich vocabulary. I have excellent ideas. Conscientiousness A tendency to show self-discipline, act dutifully, and aim for achievement; planned rather than spontaneous behavior. Ex: I am always prepared. I am exacting in my work. I follow a schedule. I like order.

Contd
Extraversion Energy, positive emotions, surgency, and the tendency to seek stimulation in the company of others. Ex: I feel comfortable around people. I start conversations. I talk to a lot of different people at parties. Agreeableness A tendency to be compassionate and cooperative rather than suspicious and antagonistic towards others. I am interested in people. I feel others' feelings. I have a soft heart. I make people feel at ease.

Contd
Neuroticism A tendency to experience unpleasant emotions easily, such as anger, anxiety, depression, or vulnerability. I am easily disturbed.

I change my mood a lot.

I get irritated easily.

I get stressed out easily.

I get upset easily.

Thank you