16.2 Background To Trait Approach & 16.3

Question 1

What is Nomothetic approach?

Answer 1

General law of human behaviour explaining differences and similarities

Question 2

What is an Ideographic approach?

Answer 2

Emphasis on the individual

Question 3

What is the trait / factor approach about?

Answer 3

It explains and predicts personality 
along 
distinctive traits / personality characteristics
that are +/- consistent 
across time and situations

Question 4

What are “type and style” classifications in Trait Approaches?

Answer 4

Aspects in which personality are explained along clusters or groups of traits / behaviours

Question 5

What do Trait Concepts refer to?

Answer 5

Diff amongst people 
indicating 
characteristic internal dispositions
and
observable behaviours,
thoughts and feelings
which are used to describe 
personality structure, 
motivation,
personality development and
psychological adjustment

Question 6

According to Trait Psychology, how are traits acquired?

Answer 6

Through varying degrees of inherited and acquired personality traits

Question 7

According to trait approaches, how can differences and similarities between people be measured?

Answer 7

Personality and related questionnaires
or
self-report inventories

Question 8

Why is Trait Approaches sometimes referred to as Psychometric Approaches?

Answer 8

Because of the emphasis on objective measurement and the quantitative analysis of elements of personality

Eg. to predict job success

Question 9

Traits can be measured and analysed in terms of ….

Answer 9

Abilities
Motives
Interests
Emotions
Attitudes 
Interpersonal behaviours

Question 10

What is the trait or factor approach also known as?

Answer 10

Dimensional or dispositional approach

Question 11

In a sense, many personality theories use descriptive concepts to describe the various aspects of personality - and can therefore be regarded as …..

Answer 11

Dimentional

Eg. Psychoalatytical descriptions of ID, ego and superego

Question 12

Factor analysis other trait theories have been established through ….

Answer 12

Rigorous empirical (based on science) research.

Question 13

Personality is made up of patterns of enduring or constant traits which may be influenced by 3 things?

Answer 13

1) the person (personism)
2) the situation (situationism)
3) the person and his/her behaviour in the situation (interactionism)

Question 14

Traits are empirically derived abstractions from observable and measurable behaviour measured by ….

Answer 14

Objective instruments and classified by employing factor analysis

Question 15

All people have 2 types of traits, to a greater or lesser extent. What are they?

Answer 15

General traits (nomothetic view)
and
Unique traits (ideographic view)

Question 16

The measurement of which 5 areas in traits are important in the assessment of employee competencies?

Answer 16

Physical
Cognitive
Emotional
Social
Spiritual

Question 17

Cattell described personality as ….

Answer 17

That which predicts what a person will do when placed in a particular situation.