McCrae & Costa - Five-Factor Trait Theory

Question 1

Cattell, McCrae & Costa used a ____ method of gathering data.

Answer 1

Inductive – without preconceived hypotheses

Question 2

McCrae & Costa: Trait and factor theories of personality are based on ____ ___.

Answer 2

Factor analysis – a procedure that assumes human traits can be measured by correlational studies.

Question 3

McCrae & Costa: What does factor analysis assume?

Answer 3

It assumes that human traits can be measured by correlational studies.

Question 4

McCrae & Costa: What are the Big Five?

Answer 4

Neuroticism
Extraversion
Openness to experience
Agreeableness
Conscientiousness

Question 5

McCrae & Costa: What’s the acronym for the five factors?

Answer 5

NEO-PI (why not NEO-AC?)

Question 6

McCrae & Costa: Which two factors are the strongest and most ubiquitous?

Answer 6

Neuroticism and extraversion

Question 7

McCrae & Costa: Describe those with low vs. high scores on neuroticism.

Answer 7

High: Anxious, hysteria, OCD, criminality
Low: Emotional stability

Question 8

McCrae & Costa: Describe those with low vs. high scores on extroversion.

Answer 8

High: Sociable, impulsive
Low: Passive, thoughtful

Question 9

McCrae & Costa: Describe those with low vs. high scores on openness to experience.

Answer 9

High: Variety
Low: Familiar people and things

Question 10

McCrae & Costa: Describe those with low vs. high scores on agreeableness.

Answer 10

High: Soft-hearted
Low: Ruthless

Question 11

McCrae & Costa: Describe those with low vs. high scores on conscientiousness

Answer 11

High: Organized, ordered, controlled
Low: Disorganized, lazy, aimless

Question 12

McCrae & Costa: What are the three core components to personality?

Answer 12

1. Basic tendencies – raw material of personality
2. Characteristics adaptations – personality structures that develop as ppl adapt to environment
3. Self-concept – knowledge, view and evaluations of self.

Basic Components, See?

Question 13

McCrae & Costa: What has the Five-Factor Theory has been used to assess?

Answer 13

Personality traits in cultures throughout the world.

Question 14

McCrae & Costa: What is the NEO-PI-R?

Answer 14

The NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R) is a personality inventory that examines a person’s Big Five personality traits: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.

Question 15

McCrae & Costa: For whom do the NEO-PI-R show a high level of stability in personality factors?

Answer 15

Those advancing from about 30 years old to old age.

Question 16

Summarize McCrae and Costa’s Five-Factor Trait Theory

Answer 16

• Five-Factor theory (Big Five) assumes human traits can be measured by correlational studies.
• Big Five includes:
o Extraverts (social, impulsive) vs. introverts (passive, thoughtful)
o Neuroticism – high score: anxiety, hysteria, OCD, criminality vs. low score: emotional stability.
o Openness to experience, agreeableness, conscientiousness.
• Equal weight placed on biological & environmental influences on personality.
• Five-Factor Theory been used to assess personality traits in cultures across the world.
• NEO-PI-R shows high level of stability in personality factors as ppl advance from 30 yo.