Chapter 3 - The Dispositional Domain

Question 1

1. What are trait-descriptive adjectives?

Answer 1

Trait-descriptive adjectives are words that describe traits or attributes of a person that are reasonably characteristic and enduring over time.

Question 2

2. What do trait-descriptive adjectives imply about personality traits?

Answer 2

They imply consistent and stable characteristics.

Question 3

3. What are the three fundamental questions guiding personality trait study?

Answer 3

o How should traits be conceptualized?
o How can we identify the most important traits among individual differences?
o How can we formulate a comprehensive taxonomy of traits?

Question 4

4. What are the two main formulations for explaining what traits are?

Answer 4

o Traits as internal causal properties.
o Traits as purely descriptive summaries.

Question 5

5. What does it mean to view traits as internal causal properties?

Answer 5

o It means traits are internal dispositions that cause behavior, existing even if not expressed.

Question 6

6. What does it mean to view traits as purely descriptive summaries?

Answer 6

o It means traits are summaries of observable behavior without assuming internal causes.