Empirical Approach: Raymon Catell (1947)

Question 1

Inductive method (Raymond Cattell, 1947)

Answer 1

began with no pre-conceived bias concerning the number or name of traits or types

• came up with 4500 trait names
• removed synonyms (171 trait names) & asked to rate themselves on these words on scale

Question 2

the 16 Personality Factor

Answer 2

• personality is captured in a set of 16 dimensions
• the dimensions remerged in analyses across various types of data and saw these as primary traits in personality
• these factors provided a name for his personality inventory: the 16 Personality Factor inventory or 16PF

Question 3

Hans Eysenck (1976) 
Deductive approach:

Answer 3

began with well-developed ideas about qualities/dimensions of personality; based in theory

• gathered data that are logically consistent with theory
• set out to study whether the types identified by Hippocrates and Galen could be created by combining high and low levels of two supertraits

Question 4

Theoretical Approach
Hans Eysenck (1976): 2 factors

Answer 4

2 supertraits were the key dimensions in personality

• these 2 dimensions can create more diversity than you might guess
• combination of highs and lows on these dimensions

Question 5

1. Extraversion (vs introversion)

Answer 5

concerns tendencies toward sociability, liveliness, activeness and dominance. Prefer excitement oriented toward external reality
-from high to low

Question 6

2. Neuroticism (emotional stability)

Answer 6

the ease and frequency with which the person becomes upset and distressed. Emotionally unstable, fearful, anxiety level disproportionate to realities of situation

Question 7

4 level hierarchy of behavior organization:

1st level: two supertraits (types)

Answer 7

• extraversion & neuroticism

- each supertrait is made up of several interconnected traits

Question 8

2nd level: traits

Answer 8

• semi permanent personality dispositions
• each infers form interconnections among habitual responses
  ex: sociability/impulsivity

Question 9

3rd level: habitual acts or cognitions

Answer 9

• responses that recur under similar conditions; consistent/reliable
• inferred from observable specific responses
  ex: going to parties, liking to talk to people

Question 10

4th level: observable specific acts

Answer 10

• may or may not be characteristics of the person
• actual activities
• actual occasions

Question 11

4 categories of people (Eysnek)

Answer 11

1. Phlegmatic (relaxed, quiet)
   Melancholic (introverted, moody)
   Sanguine (pleasure-seeking, sociable)
   Choleric (excitable, leader-like)

Question 12

Combination of behavior dimensions

Answer 12

• combination of low/high extraversion and neuroticism dimensions describes the four personality categories of Hippocrates
• many individual differences can be explained in the cross between extraversion and emotionality (neuroticism)

Question 13

Differences between Eysenck & Cattell

Answer 13

Eysenck: 
-self report only
-Factor analysis to refine scales
-2 supertraits 
Cattell: 
-self report & observation
-factor analysis to find out what dimensions exist
-16 traits and 5 second-order factors

Question 14

Similarities between Eysenck & Cattell

Answer 14

• both used factor analysis
• supertraits are very similar to two of 16PF traits
• Cattell’s second order factors include extraversion and neuroticism