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
what are the two traits of an extravert who is low in neuroticism?
- easygoing
- carefree sociability
what is the trait of an extravert who is high in neuroticism?
excitable aggression
What is the basis of Wiggins’ (1979) interpersonal approach?
That core human traits concern interpersonal life
what is Wiggin’s (1979) interpersonal circle?
personality patterns deriving from varying levels of dominance and love
what are the two traits of a person high in dominance and low in love?
- arrogance
- calculating
what are the two traits of a person high in dominance and high in love?
- gregarious
- extraverted
