Traits, Five Factor Model

• Based on lexical approach– Important individual differences among people

will have names– Should be words describing the same traits in

different languages if there are common traits– In English over 5000 words– Can a few dimensions capture these many

traits?

Factor analysis

• Statistical tool used to reduce large amounts of data to smaller underlying dimensions

• Looks at patterns of co-variation

• Method is important because it impacts findings

Factor analysis method

1. Collect measurements

2. Compute correlations – matrix

3. Factor extraction (reduce to underlying dimensions)

4. Compute factor loadings

5. Name the factors

Example: How people cope with stress

• How much did you do ______ during your most recent stressful event? Or rate each item:

• 1. Took action quickly, before things could get out of hand.

• 2. Refused to believe it was real.• 3. Did something concrete to make the situation

better.• 4. Tried to convince myself that it wasn=t happening.• 5. Went on thinking that things were just like they

were.• 6. Changed or grew as a person in a new way.• 7. Tried to look at the bright side.

Hypothetical correlation matrix

Item 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

1 * .1 .75 -.05 .03 .12 0

2 * -.19 .52 .61 -.07 -.08

3 * .17 0 .11 .08

4 * .71 .09 .04

5 * .16 .09

6 * .59

7 *

Hypothetical Factor Loadings

Factor A B C

Item 1 .62 .15 .01

Item 2 .03 -.08 .49

Item 3 .54 .04 -.20

Item 4 .10 .11 .56

Item 5 .07 .08 .45

Item 6 -.02 .66 .12

Item 7 .22 .48 .06

Implications

• Garbage in, garbage out

• Missing info. may mean missing factorsE.g. Escape: smoking, drinking, eating, daydreaming about vacation, etc.

• Importance of names of factors

Big Five/Five-Factor Model

• Emerging consensus that 5 dimensions capture important pieces of personality

• Based on:1. Diverse samples of data

2. Different measures

3. Multiple cultures and languages

• Still some disagreement about What the factors are

Big Five (Costa & McCrae)

• Five basic dimensions that are very broad• 6 facets within each dimension (which are

more specific

1. Neuroticism2. Extraversion3. Openness to Experience4. Agreeableness5. Conscientiousness

Neuroticism

• Tendency to experience negative (unpleasant) feelings

• Emotionally reactive, intense

• On other end: calm, emotionally stable, free from persistent negative feelings

Neuroticism Facets1. Anxiety – sense of danger or threat

• Tense, jittery, nervous …calm, fearless

2. Anger 3. Depression – feel sad, dejected, low

• Lack energey, feel dejected….free from depressive feelings

4. Self-consciousness – sensitive to what others think of them• feel uncomfortable around others, easily embarrassed….don’t feel

discomfort in social situations, don’t fear being judged by others

5. Immoderation – strong cravings and urges that are hard to resist6. Vulnerability – susceptibility to stress

• Feel panic, helpless under pressure….feel poised, confident under pressure

Extraversion

• Enjoy being with others

• High energy

• Tendency to experience positive emotions

• Low scorers:– Quiet, less engaged in social world– NOT shyness or depression

Extraversion Facets1. Friendliness

• like others and easily reach out to other people…distant and reserved

2. Gregariousness• Enjoy being around others, like crowds…need more privacy and

time to self, dislike crowds3. Assertievness

• Like to speak out, take charge, leaders…let others control group direction

4. Activity Level• Much action, energetic, quick…slower paced, less activity

5. Excitement-Seeking• Easily bored, seek thrills…unlikely to take risks, adverse to thrill-

seeking6. Cheerfulness

• High on positive emotions such as happiness, optimism, enthusiasm, and joy…low scores don’t’ experience as much joy (but NOT depressed)

Openness To Experience

• Most disagreement about what this factor is and what to call it.

• Imaginative, intellectually curious, sensitive to aesthetics and feelings …. Down to earth, practical,conventional

• Not a measure of intelligence

Openness Facets

1. Imagination • Fantasy…fact

2. Artistic Interests• Love beauty, aesthetics…not interested in arts

3. Emotionality• Awareness of and expression of feelings…less aware and

expressive

4. Adventurousness• Like new activities, experience different things…prefer familiar

things

5. Intellect• Like to play with ideas…prefer concrete things over ideas

6. Liberalism• Challenge authority and convention…prefer conventional

approaches

Conscientiousness

• Deliberate in actions, controlled, planful

• Low: impulsive

Conscientiousness Facets

1. Self-efficacy

2. Orderliness

3. Dutifulness

4. Achievement Striving

5. Self-discipline

6. Cautiousness

Agreeableness

• Social harmony, ability to get along with others

• Low: mistrustful of others, difficulty getting along with others

Agreeableness Facets

1. Trust

2. Morality

3. Altruism

4. Cooperation

5. Modesty

6. Sympathy

Integration with other trait theories

1. Eysenck’s theory:

2. Similar structure to Eysenck

3. Cattell’s 16 PF scales map on

Longitudinal Stability

1. Good evidence for stability over long periods in adulthood

2. Small but sign. age effects:• Older adults lower on N, E, and O• Older adults higher on C and A• Cohort effect?• Some occur across cultures: C increases with age

3. Temperamental characteristics develop into E and N