PST - Trait Theory Lesson
Trait Theory
While psychoanalysts focus on hidden thoughts and past experiences, and Humanists focus on the search for self-actualization, trait theorists see personality as set by biology at birth. Trait theory focuses on primarily describing personal individual differences. Traits are a person's underlying characteristics that make them behave in certain ways. A trait theory of personality attempts to identify, describe, and measure those individual differences.
Psychologist Gordon Allport found more than 4,000 words in the dictionary that could be used to describe personality. Later, trait theorist Raymond Cattell took Allport's list of thousands of traits and reduced them to 16 characteristics by eliminating those that seemed uncommon or redundant. He believed that these 16 factors represented the essential source traits that make up human personality. Each trait represents a dimension that ranges between two extremes, like shy to outgoing or trusting to suspicious.
Each trait represents a dimension that ranges between two extremes:
reserved, unsociable - outgoing, sociable
less intelligent, concrete - more intelligent, abstract
affected by feelings - emotionally stable
submissive, humble - dominant, assertive
serious - happy-go-lucky
expedient - conscientious
timid - venturesome
tough-minded - sensitive
trusting - suspicious
practical - imaginative
forthright - shrewd, calculating
conservative - experimenting
self assured - apprehensive
undisciplined - controlled
relaxed - tense
Many trait theorists found Raymond Cattell's theory too complex. Today, trait theorists typically use self-reported inventories to assess a person's personality based on a small number of traits.
The five-factor theory, or "Big Five," states that the essential building blocks of personality can be described in five dimensions.
| Big 5 Traits | Example Behavior for Low Scorers | Example Behavior for High Scorers |
|---|---|---|
| Openness | Prefers not to be exposed to alternative moral systems; marrow interests; inartistic; not analytical; down-to-earth | Enjoys seeing people with new types of haircuts and body piercing; curious; imaginative; untraditional |
| Conscientiousness | Prefers spur-of-the-moment action to planning; unreliable; hedonistic; careless; lax | Never late for a date; organized; hardworking; neat; preserving; punctual; self-disciplined |
| Extraversion | Preferring a quiet evening reading to a loud party; sober; aloof; unenthusiastic | Being the life of the party; active; optimistic; fun-loving; affectionate |
| Agreeableness | Quickly and confidently asserts own rights; irritable; manipulative; uncooperative; rude | Agrees with others about political opinions; good-natured; forgiving; gullible; helpful |
| Neuroticism | Not getting irritated by small annoyances; calm, emotional; hardy; secure; self satisfied | Constantly worrying about little things; insecure; hypochondriacal; feeling inadequate |
The most widely used personality inventory today is one created by Catherine Briggs and her daughter Isabel Myers. Their personality inventory, the MBTI (Myers Briggs Type Indicator), assesses a person's preferences in four categories: inward vs outward focus, ideal information source, emotionality, and decision-making.
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The 16 MTBI Personality Types
ISTJ - The Logistician - Practical and fact-minded individuals, whose reliability cannot be doubted
ISFJ - The Defender - Very dedicated and warm protectors, always ready to defend their loved ones
ESTJ - The Executive - Excellent administrators, unsurpassed at managing people
ESFJ - The Consul - Extraordinarily caring, social and popular people, always eager to help
ISTP- The Virtuoso - Bold and practical experimenters, masters of all kinds of tools
ISFP - The Adventurer - Flexible and charming artists, always ready to explore and experience something new
ESTP - The Entrepreneur - Smart, energetic, and very perceptive people, who truly enjoy living on the edge
ESFP - The Entertainer - Spontaneous, energetic and enthusiastic entertainers - are never boring
INTJ - The Architect - Imaginative and strategic thinkers, with a plan for everything
INTP - The Logician - Innovative inventors with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge
ENTJ - The Commander - Bold, imaginative, and strong-willed leaders, always finding a way - or making one
ENTP - The Debater - Smart and curious thinkers who cannot resist an intellectual challenge
INFJ - The Advocate - Quiet and mystical, yet very inspiring and tireless idealists
INFP - The Mediator - Poetic, kind and altruistic people, always eager to help a good cause
ENFJ - The Protagonist - Charismatic and inspiring leaders, able to mesmerize their listeners
ENFP - The Campaigner - Enthusiastic, creative, and sociable free spirits, who can always find a reason to smile
A trait theorist sees personality as determined at birth and consistent throughout life.
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