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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?