Type theory of personality Flashcards
Comparison to Catell
The type theories are slightly different from the trait theories. While type theories are discontinuous the trait theories are in a continuum.
According to Eysenck the goal of psychology is to predict behaviour. In this Eysenck concurs with the
view of Cattell who also believed that the goal of psychology is to predict behaviour.
Eysenck’s approach is more theoretically anchored than is Cattell’s.
He suggests that not more than three supertraits (which he calls types) are needed to account for most of human behaviour (Cattell accounts to at least 16 traits or factors of personality).
Eysenck places far more importance on genetic factors in personality development than does Cattell, but he also does not completely ignore the environmental or situational influences on personality.
The present unit delves deep into the Eysenck’s theory of personality. It provides definition, description and the dynamics of the theory.
What is Type theory of personality
Personality type theory aims to classify people into distinct categories , that is this type or that.
Personality types are synonymous with “personality styles”.
Type vs Trait theory
Types refer to categories that are distinct and discontinuous.
For example, a person may be humorous or drab type. That is the person is either this type or that type. This is important to understand, because here it is either or of a type. There is a discontinuity between the types. The person is humourous or not.
On the other hand in the trait theory the traits are continuous in that the trait concerned can be placed in a continuum and can coexist with other traits also.
This distinction between type and trait theory is to be kept in mind.
Example of type vs trait
One example of the difference between types and traits, could be considered in terms of the introversion factor. Introversion can be viewed in the personality trait approach as:
• That one can be anywhere on a continuum ranging from introversion to extraversion, with most people clustering in the middle, and fewer people towards the extremes.
• In the case of introversion as a type, the person can be either an introvert or an extravert.
Popular theories of personality type
Some of the well known and popular theories of personality type include the following:
1) The four humours based personality types
2) Sheldon’s personality types
3) Ayurvedic body types
4) Jungian types based on temperament
5) Type A and Type B personalities
6) J.Block’s three personality types.
The above types are being considered below in greater detail.
