Trait Perspective

Trait Perspective

Describe personality in terms of fundamental traits

Not trying to explain why these traits exist, only describe them and classify them

Trait Perspective

Trait = a characteristic pattern of behavior or a disposition to feel and act e.g. introvert, outgoing, cheerful,

anxious, …

How do we describe and classify traits? According to “types” Many different systems have been used

Classifying Traits

Ancient Greeks: according to the four body humors

- Melancholic (depressed) - Sanguine (cheerful)

- Phlegmatic (unemotional) - Choleric (irritable)

Sheldon’s Body Types:- Mesomorph- Ectomorph - Endomorph

Ancient Greek “Humors”

Sheldon’s Body Types

Classifying traits

Myers-Briggs Types: Classifies personality according to four

dichotomies (opposites)Extrovert IntrovertSensing IntuitionThinking FeelingJudgment Perception

How do we know which systems is the best?

Classifying Traits

Factor Analysis: statistical procedure to identify clusters of behavior that are related, and reflect a basic trait

e.g. outgoing people tend to say they like excitement and practical jokes, and dislike quiet reading▪ Trait = extraversion

Eysenck Personality Questionnaire:

Classifying Traits

The Big Five: Slightly expanded set of factors that is still

considered the standard in describing personality

▪ Emotional Stability▪ Extraversion▪ Openness▪ Agreeableness▪ Conscientiousness

THE BIG FIVE

Classifying Traits

More recent research has revealed:

Characteristics of the Big 5: More stable in adulthood 50% hereditary Cross-Cultural Can be used to predict behavior

Assessing Traits

Personality Inventories: long questionnaires where people respond (T/F) to items designed to gauge a wide range of feelings and behaviors

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) Compared responses to hundred of questions

between normal and disordered people Retained any statements that differed from normal▪ e.g. “Nothing in the newspaper interests me except the

comics” indicative of depression

Evaluating the Trait Perspective Person-Situation Controversy:

Remember: Is our behavior influenced by our personal disposition, or situational context?

Do personality traits persist over time and across situations? Time: Personality trait scores correlated well over time▪ Children (0.31), Collegians (0.54), 30-Year olds (0.54), Over 70

(0.74)

YES Situation: little correlation between behavior in one

situation and the next.NO

Assessing the Trait Perspective Therefore, scores on personality tests

only mildly predict behavior Example: If one test determines you are an

extrovert, it does not predict how you will act in each social situation

But, we can use personality tests to predict the average of our traits.

The best indicator = people who know us well!

Online Personality Test

This test is based on Carl Jung and Isabel Briggs Myers typological approach to personality:

http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes1.htm

Lemon Test

Are you an introvert or an extrovert?