Trait Theory

Question 1

PERVIN et al (2005) says traits are….

Answer 1

A disposition to behave in a certain way as expressed in a persons behaviour over a range of situations.

Question 2

Traits can ….. .,……, ……. our behaviour

Answer 2

Describe , Explain (internal causal properties) and Predict.

DEP

Question 3

Goals of trait Theorists are to………

Answer 3

IDENTIFY the traits necessary to describe explain and predict.

MEASURE traits accurately - develop objective tools and techniques.

look for CAUSES of trait development, links to biology and genetics.

IMC

Question 4

Traits are ………. ………….. and cannot be measured directly

Answer 4

hypothetical constructs

Question 5

we can’t be absolutely certain we are measuring the intended . this is an example of an issue with ……….

Answer 5

validity.

Question 6

Factor Analysis is…..

Answer 6

A statistical technique for identifying traits that “cluster together” or co-occur or co-vary

eg nervousness, anxiety and stress all point towards a trait of Neuroticism.

factor analysis are performed on responses to items in self report personality questionnaires

Question 7

Trait Theory researchers focus only on ………..data analysis not intuition.

Answer 7

objective.

Question 8

Limitations with Self report

Answer 8

Willing- people may not want to readily admit aspects of them selves

Able - people are not often completely self aware.

Question 9

name the three main trait Theorists.

Answer 9

EYSENCK’S 3 FACTORS

CATTELL’S 16 FACTORS

COSTA +McCRAE’S 5 FACTORS.

Question 10

Hans Eysenck believed traits are …..

Answer 10

heritable and have biological foundation.

Question 11

Eysenck initially identified 2 basic dimensions …

Answer 11

1) Extroversion - Introversion
2) Neuroticism - Emotional stability

and every one falls somewhere on the 2 dimensional space of these to factors. ( think the cross)

Question 12

Most researchers accept Eysenck’s 3 dimensions , but people still saw it as too simplistic. Having said this it till had a huge affect on the fields of ….. ….. and ……. psychology

Answer 12

personality,

forensic

occupational

Question 13

Cattell’s 16 dimensions

Answer 13

strove for a classification or taxonomy system of the elements of personality much like a periodic table.

It was a multi method approach.

interested in the structure of personality

Question 14

Personality structure has two types of traits ..

Answer 14

Surface Traits - clusters of overt behaviours with common causes or sources

Source Traits - Underlying dimensions that influence personality and thus behaviour.

though to be the true building blocks of personality.

Question 15

Name the Three different types of Data collected in Trait Theory analysis.

Answer 15

L Data - Life record ( e.g. school grade, public records - ratings made by friends)

Q Data - Introspective judgements (ie Questionaires and self reports)

T Data - Objective tests data often obtained in an experimental environment. when the subject is UNAWARE of the relation between their behaviour and the trait being measured.

Question 16

Cattell’s divided up his 16 traits in to three categories ….

Answer 16

Ability traits, Temperamental traits, and dynamic traits.

Question 17

COSTA + McCRAE when and what

Answer 17

1992, the big 5 ocean

Question 18

what were Costa and McCrae’s big 5 Traits

Answer 18

Openness
Conscientiousness
Extroversion
Agreeableness
Neuroticism

Question 19

How did Costa and McCrae decide upon the big 5 traits?

Answer 19

They Factor analysed the data from asking thousands of people hundreds of questions.

Five dimensions consistently emerged.

They were asked to rate them selves AND others

got around the willing/able problem of data bias

Question 20

critique of the big 5

Answer 20

are the factors truly independent or truly universal

is it too simplistic

Question 21

Heritability of Traits

Answer 21

Monosygotic (MZ) twins share 100% of their genes

DI-Zygotic (DZ) twins share 50% of their genes

BORKENAU et al (2002) found that MZ twins are more alike in their personalities than DZ twins.

Question 22

BORKENAU et al (2002)

Answer 22

MZ and DZ twins observation of trait heritability

Question 23

MZ and DZ twins observation of trait heritability

Answer 23

BORKENAU et al (2002)

Question 24

PEDERSON et al …..what and when

Answer 24

(1988) Adoptive studies.

MZ twins reared apart have more similarities than DZ twins reared apart.

Question 25

(1988) Adoptive studies.

MZ twins reared apart have more similarities than DZ twins reared apart.

Answer 25

PEDERSON et al 1988

think a pederasts sons are two identical 8s 88 and they are reared apart but they still have the same traits. 88

Question 26

Person v situation debate…. explain

Answer 26

critiques argue too much weight is put on INTERNAL EXPLANATION

MISHCHEL (1968)

“regularities in behaviour are often due to a STABILITY of individual ENVIRONMENTS” (sung to the tune of where do you go to my lovely)

mmm mischel 1968 think of a mischievous sacha distel with his epic hit in 1968 singing about person versus situation.

Question 27

MISHCHEL (1968)

Answer 27

Person v situation debate

behaviour is determined by situational forces.

Question 28

trait and ………. interact to determine the behaviour.

Answer 28

situation.

Question 29

Traits become more predictive of behaviour in

Answer 29

UNSTRUCTURED ENVIRONMENTS ie, a pub,

as opposed to a structured environment being a school room or work space

Question 30

one problem with trait theory is that the can ………but not ………

Answer 30

predict…..

explain

Question 31

it is argued that ……… …………have a greater control over behaviour than trait theories admit.

Answer 31

situation factors

Question 32

criticisms of trait theory

Answer 32

Too General - Traits can change over time

hard to test - behaviours change in different situations. SITUATIONISM

its too subjective - different psychologists have different opinions about what traits should be measured and what those measurements mean.

Question 33

Personality traits exert a stronger influence on an individual’s …………….. when ……………… …………….. is less powerful.

Answer 33

behavior

situational influence

Question 34

Projective test - other ways of divining personality.

Answer 34

Projective test - presents individuals w/ an ambiguous stimulus and then asks them to describe it or tell a story about it. Based on assumption that ambiguity of stimulus allows individuals to project into it their feelings, desires needs and attitudes. Elicits unconscious feelings and conflicts, assessing underneath basic personality. Beyond overtly presenting oneself.