Trait approaches to personality

Question 1

the trait approach to personality =

Answer 1

the current approach

Question 2

cattells 16 major source factors

Answer 2

ranked in order of importance - Factor A : outgoing- reserved 
Factor B: Intelligence 
Factor C: stable – emotional 
Factor E: assertive – humble 
Factor F: happy go lucky- sober 
Factor g: conscientious –expedient  
Factor H: venturesome-shy 
Factor I: tender-minded > tough minded

Question 3

explain briefly about cattell and validity

Answer 3

validity
Depends who you ask
Cooper, cites studies showing failure to replicate
H.cattell and mead – cited recent replications
Widely used commercially

Question 4

trait approach =

Answer 4

Dimensions along which people differ – can’t be directly observed, develop valid tests
Should stay – constant over time and situation
How and when they differ – otherwise purely descriptive, heritability, underlying cause.

Question 5

establishing the dimensions via

Answer 5

factor analysis

Question 6

explain GOLDBERGS OCEAN MODEL

Answer 6

reviewed existing work, suggested 5 factors 
> OCEAN  
> arbitrarily decided on 6 facets per trait. 
Openness 
Conscientiousness 
Extraversion 
Agreeableness 
Neuroticism

Question 7

TIPI =

Answer 7

ten item personal inventory

Question 8

young women tend to be more neurotic than men?

Answer 8

true

Question 9

4 dimensions of introversion =

Answer 9

Social – like doing things alone, avoid bustle
Thinking – reflective, inward looking, self-analytic
Anxious – feel awkward in social situations
Restrained –like to take things slowly, deliberately
Very much work in progress

Question 10

but what about other traits?

Answer 10

The big 5 seems to be fairly solid however what about the other traits?
honesty, negative, seductiveness, humour, integrity ect….
These are known as ‘ narrow personality traits’

Question 11

one extension of the big 5

Answer 11

HEXACO > Honesty/humility, emotional stability, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness and openness
Agreeableness – 2 facets, straightforwardness and modesty, correlate less well.

Question 12

morningness >

Answer 12

Considering only your own 2feeling best2 rhythm, at what time would you get up if you were entirely free to plan your day?

Question 13

self-esteem

Answer 13

Rosenberg self-esteem scale
Asks same question, 10 times
‘I have high self esteem’ works as well.

Question 14

grit =

Answer 14

Perseverance and passion for long term goals

Question 15

narcissism

Answer 15

Self-importance, grandiosity, entitlement and low empathy
Modesty doesnt become me
If I ruled the world it would be a better place
1 item test for narcissim….
Asks the statement “ i am a narcissist” < how much you agree

Question 16

myers-briggs type indicator (MBTI)

Answer 16

Preferences – like handedness
Opposite types, not just low or high
Are you – easy to get to know or hard to get to know
Which appeals more: statement or concept, speak or write, build or invent.

Question 17

summary

Answer 17

trait theory ‘is the only game in town’ (ian deary)
Big 5seems reasonably consistent
However,
Cultural variaations
Multiple facets
Other possible traits (eg: honesty/humility)
Some evidence for loose clusters within the 5 factors.