Trait theories of personality and measurement

Question 1

what is the trait approach

Answer 1

• Does not try to explain behaviour
  -Identifies characteristics that can be presented along a continuum

Question 2

define trait

Answer 2

Categorizes people according to degree to which they display a particular characteristic

Question 3

what does the trait approach focus on

Answer 3

mapping observable behaviour and overarching traits

Question 4

define surface trait

Answer 4

Characteristics that can be inferred from observable behaviour

Question 5

define source trait

Answer 5

Most fundamental aspect of personality - broad basic traits thought to be universal and small in number

Question 6

what is the nomothetic approach

Answer 6

• Describing personality along a finite number of traits
  -Can be described/applied to everyone

Question 7

what is the ideographic approach

Answer 7

• Identifies any combination of traits to describe individual
  -Infinite possibilities - do not apply to everyone

Question 8

define central traits

Answer 8

can easily describe individual personality

Question 9

define secondary traits

Answer 9

preferences, do not indicate behaviour

Question 10

define cardinal traits

Answer 10

single dominating traits in personality e.g. extraversion and neuroticism

Question 11

what does Jungian personality theory suggest

Answer 11

Personality traits for perceiving the environment and processing information

Question 12

issue with Jungian personality theory

Answer 12

Assumption that you fall into either categories - limited approach, personality can vary between categories

Question 13

what is a factor analysis

Answer 13

• Data reduction technique
• Simplify relations among variables
  -Identifies common pattern

Question 14

benefits of using a factor analysis

Answer 14

• Shorter surveys and easy analysis
• Finds naturally occurring and covarying traits
  Can average together related sub traits into a single trait

Question 15

example of approach with too little traits

Answer 15

Eysenck - 2 primary traits

Question 16

example of approach with too many traits

Answer 16

Raymond Cattell - proposed 16 personality traits

Question 17

who created the ‘big 5’

Answer 17

Costa and Mcrae

Question 18

positives of the big 5

Answer 18

• Tested in more than 50 cultures
  -Biologically influenced - seem stable over lifespan

Question 19

name the big 5

Answer 19

Openness
Conscientiousness
Extraversion
Agreeableness
Neuroticism

Question 20

high end of openness

Answer 20

unconventional and independent thinkers

Question 21

low end of openness

Answer 21

prefer familiar than imaginative

Question 22

high end conscientiousness

Answer 22

organized, plan oriented, and determined

Question 23

low end of conscientiousness

Answer 23

careless, easily distracted from tasks, and undependable

Question 24

high end of extraversion

Answer 24

very sociable

Question 25

low end of extraversion

Answer 25

introversion - reserved and independent

Question 26

high end of agreeableness

Answer 26

helpful, trusting, and sympathetic

Question 27

low end agreeableness

Answer 27

tend to be antagonistic and sceptical

Question 28

high level neuroticism

Answer 28

more vulnerable to anxiety and depression

Question 29

low levels of neuroticism

Answer 29

tend to be calm and well adjusted

Question 30

issues with the big 5

Answer 30

• Too broad
  -What do traits capture

Question 31

issues using factor analysis

Answer 31

• Subject interpretation of results
• Have to decide which items are included
  -May forget or miss something

Question 32

how did the lexical approach find traits

Answer 32

Examine traits used within language
- Removed words unrelated to behaviour from dictionary from all words that describe people
-Left with 4500 terms then grouped into traits