Types of Traits

Question 1

Trait definition and classification basis

Answer 1

Traits are determining tendencies or predispositions to respond consistently over time and across situations.

Allport proposed that traits may be classified into a
three-fold and somewhat overlapping category system according to the degree to which they pervade and influence individual behaviour.

Question 2

1) Cardinal Trait:

Answer 2

1) Cardinal Trait: If a trait is extremely pervasive, that is, if almost all of a person’s activities can be traced to its influence, it is a cardinal trait.

The meaning may be grasped by considering many trait adjectives derived from history and fictional characters.

To give an example when someone is being referred to as being a Ghandhian, the cardinal disposition of being ‘nonviolent’ is being inferrred.

Question 3

2) Central Trait:

Answer 3

2) Central Trait:

Less pervasive but still quite generalised disposition of the individual.

These are also called the building blocks of personality.

To cite an example, a person being outgoing, sociable, etc.

In other words, central traits are those tendencies that a person often expresses, which people around
the person can readily discern.

Question 4

3) Secondary Trait:

Answer 4

3) Secondary Trait: Dispositions which are less conspicuous, less generalised, less consistent and less relevant as compared to cardinal or central traits. These are called secondary traits.

To give an example, food preferences of
an individual.

However it must be remembered that to know of the secondary traits of a person, the person must be known quite intimately in order to discern the secondary traits.

Question 5

Common vs Individual Traits:

Common

Answer 5

Allport [1937] also distinguished between common traits and individual traits.

The former (also called dimensional or nomothetic traits) includes any generalised disposition to which most people within a given culture can be reasonably compared.

For example, social attitude, anxiety, value, and the like are generalised disposition and the majority of people within the particular culture could be
measurably compared with one another on those common traits and dimensions.

Question 6

Common vs Individual Traits:

Individual

Answer 6

Traits never occur in any two people in exactly the same way. Thus, those characteristics peculiar to the individual which do not permit comparisons among individual are referred to as individual traits.

These are also called as personal dispositions or morphological traits and these traits always
operate in unique ways within each person,

and this category of traits most accurately pinpoints the personality structure of any given individual, that is th organised focus of his life.

The true personality surfaces only when the individual traits are examined which can be obtained from such resources as

• a persons’ case history,
• diary,
• letters,
• and other such documents.

Question 7

Self Assessment questions:

1) What are the various types of traits?
2) Define common traits.
3) Define individual traits.
4) How does one differentiate between common and individual traits?

Answer 7

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