W2 Chapter 4.2 - What Traits Matter? Flashcards
What is factor analysis?
A statistical procedure used to find basic dimensions underlying a set of measures
How does factor analysis differ from correlation?
Factor analysis looks at correlations among many variables instead of just two
What are the four steps of factor analysis?
- collect the data
- compute the correlations of every item with every other item
- compute factor loadings on each item
- Name the factors
what do factor loadings tell us?
how much the item reflects the underlying dimension
When do you used exploratory factor analysis?
When you don’t have a good idea of what will go with what
What number is considered a “strong” factor loading?
0.40 or higher
What are the three things factor analysis does in trait psychology?
- reduces multiple reflections of personality to a smaller set of traits
- provides a basis to argue that some traits matter more than others
- aids in the development of assessment devices
What is the limitation of factor analysis?
The decision about what to measure has a huge impact on what emerges as traits
What are the two approaches that govern what measures are collected?
- the empirical approach
- the interpersonal approach
What are the two types of empirical approaches?
- language based
2.
What is the lexical criterion of importance?
An index of the importance of a trait based on the number of words that refer to it.
How many dimensions did Cattell (1947) identify?
16
What are the two super traits Eysenck (1967) identified?
- extraversion
- neuroticism
what are the four traits of an introvert who is low in neuroticism?
- careful
- controlled
- calm
- thoughtful
what are the two traits of an introvert who is high in neuroticism?
- pessimistic
- anxious
