Trait Theories
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Transcript of Trait Theories
Trait Theories Trait Theories
Basic Assumptions and Central Basic Assumptions and Central PointsPoints
behavior determined by stable generalizedbehavior determined by stable generalized traitstraits basic qualities that exist within a person andbasic qualities that exist within a person and express themselves across situationsexpress themselves across situations
goal of trait psychology:goal of trait psychology: determine those trait dimensionsdetermine those trait dimensions determine where people stand relative to others determine where people stand relative to others
(indiv. diff.s)(indiv. diff.s)
Types Vs. Traits Types Vs. Traits
types: types: discrete categoriesdiscrete categories
traits: traits: dimensionsdimensions
Allport Allport
uniqueness of the individualuniqueness of the individual
Cardinal TraitsCardinal Traits Central TraitsCentral Traits Secondary Dispositions Secondary Dispositions
Idiographic Vs. NomotheticIdiographic Vs. Nomothetic
CattellCattell
Surface Traits Surface Traits Source Traits Source Traits
Factor AnalysisFactor Analysis 16 PF16 PF
EysenckEysenck
3 main factors (really 2)3 main factors (really 2)
Introversion-ExtroversionIntroversion-ExtroversionNeuroticism Neuroticism
Psychoticism (antisocial)Psychoticism (antisocial)
The Big 5The Big 5
Psycholexical approachPsycholexical approach
Costa & McCraeCosta & McCrae
Big 5Big 5 OpennessOpenness ConscientiousnessConscientiousness Extraversion-(Introversion)Extraversion-(Introversion) AgeeablenessAgeeableness NeuroticismNeuroticism
OCEANOCEAN
Common FeaturesCommon Features
traits account for traits account for consistencyconsistency most differentiate between superficial most differentiate between superficial
and underlyingand underlying traits are traits are stable stable over time and situationover time and situation
focus of research is to find basic focus of research is to find basic dimensions and develop good measures dimensions and develop good measures of themof them
Problems/Criticisms of Trait Problems/Criticisms of Trait approachapproach
AtheoreticalAtheoretical ( underlying traits ( underlying traits arrived at empirically not arrived at empirically not theoretically)theoretically)
TautologyTautology (circular reasoning) (circular reasoning) can can describe not explaindescribe not explain
Is that all there is???Is that all there is??? Exaggerate consistency and Exaggerate consistency and
ignore situationignore situation
Revision of Trait TheoryRevision of Trait Theory
Types of Consistency Types of Consistency (aggregated, if-then)(aggregated, if-then)
Person X Situation Interaction Person X Situation Interaction
Signatures (Mischel) “if-then”Signatures (Mischel) “if-then”
Assessment Assessment
Basic assumptions Basic assumptions
can assess personality by askingcan assess personality by asking traits are quantifiable and scalabletraits are quantifiable and scalable behaviors are behaviors are ““signssigns””, but of , but of
underlying traitsunderlying traits
Common MeasuresCommon Measures
MMPI MMPI clinical profiles, objective standardized clinical profiles, objective standardized scoringscoring10 subcales10 subcales
NEO-PI NEO-PI based on Big 5based on Big 5global measure of normal personalityglobal measure of normal personality
Reliability Reliability
ValidityValidity
TestingTesting
problems/criticism re: use of personality problems/criticism re: use of personality testingtesting
bias in testing bias in testing (self-report bias, statistical bias, cultural bias)(self-report bias, statistical bias, cultural bias)
ethics of testing ethics of testing (privacy, use of test results, etc.)(privacy, use of test results, etc.) labelinglabeling
Social policy and decision makingSocial policy and decision making