Five Factor Theory and Personality Development

Five Factor Theory of Personality

• Developed by Robert McCrae and Paul Costa
• Considers five major personality traits
• Traits are: Openness, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, and Emotional Stability (Neuroticism)

Approaches to Personality Development

• Psychoanalytic: Sigmund Freud (Psychoanalysis); Karen Horney (Neurotic Needs); Alfred Adler (Individual Psychology); BF Skinner (Reinforcement Theory)
• Neo-psychoanalytic: Karen Horney
• Behavioural: B.F. Skinner (Reinforcement Theory)
• Cognitive: Aaron Beck
• Humanistic: Carl Rogers, Martin Seligman (Positive Psychology)
• Genetics (Trait): McCrae & Costa (Five-Factor Theory); Marvin Zuckerman (Sensation-Seeking); Raymond Cattell
• Social-Learning: Julian Rotter (Locus of Control); Martin Seligman (Learned Helplessness)

Genetics (Trait) Approach

• Focuses on traits as distinguishable characteristics
• Suggests traits are largely inherited
• Researchers include McCrae & Costa, and Raymond Cattell

What is a Personality Trait?

• A relatively stable aspect of an individual
• Observable and 'real', not "constructed" labels
• Measured on a continuum via observation over time
• Can determine and/or cause behaviour
• Traits are interconnected
• Traits are context specific

Gordon Allport

• Met Freud
• First researcher of personality traits
• Investigated the influence of heredity and environment
• Categorized traits and personal dispositions

Nature of Personality: Heredity vs. Two Personalities

• Heredity: Provides raw materials for personality, and is shaped by environment; emphasizing uniqueness
• Two Personalities: Childhood and adulthood personalities are discrete and discontinuous; less constrained by early experiences

Personality Traits: Individual vs. Common

• Individual Traits: Unique to each individual; define one's character
• Common Traits: Shared by many people, often within cultures; subject to change

Personal Dispositions: Cardinal, Central, and Secondary

• Cardinal Traits: Most pervasive and powerful traits of an individual
• Central Traits: Outstanding traits that commonly describe a person's behavior
• Secondary Traits: Least important traits displayed inconsistently and inconspicuously

Reflections on Allport

• Contributions: Well-received; inspired humanistic theories with positive philosophies; offered an alternative to psychoanalytic models
• Criticisms: Limited research; complex and difficult terms; questions about the mechanisms; focusing on individual is limited for generalization

Raymond Cattell

• Used factor analysis (with computers) to study traits
• Reduced 181 personality trait clusters to 16 personality factors (16PF)

Factor Analysis

• Statistical technique based on correlations between measures
• These measures can be explained through underlying factors

Raymond Cattell: Ways of Classifying Traits

• Common Traits; Unique Traits; Ability Traits; Temperament Traits; Dynamic Traits; Surface Traits; Source Traits; Constitutional Traits; Environmental-Mold Traits

Raymond Cattell's 16PF

• A list of 16 personality factors, with low and high scorers described
• Factors include Reserved, Aloof, Detached,Outgoing, Warmhearted, and easygoing, among others

Influences of Heredity and Environment

• Cattell investigated the influence of heredity and environment on personality
• Used statistical methods to compare twins and siblings in different rearing environments
• Concluded that one-third of personality is genetically based, and the remaining two-thirds are influenced by social and environmental factors

Research on Cattell's Ideas

• Studies using the 16PF show its ability to predict marital stability
• Faking results is possible in some cases
• Results vary on the influence of genetics vs environment
• Use for research, clinical diagnoses, and success prediction

Hans Eysenck

• Used factor analysis and personality tests to identify three superfactors: extraversion vs. introversion; neuroticism vs emotional stability; psychoticism vs impulse control and super ego functions

Extraversion and Introversion

• Extraversion: Sociable, lively, active, assertive, sensation-seeking
• Introversion: Shy, avoids excitement, reacts strongly to stimulation

Neuroticism

• Individuals scoring high on neuroticism are anxious, depressed, have low self-esteem, feel guilt, are tense, irrational, shy, and moody
• A hypersensitive sympathetic nervous system is connected to this

Psychoticism

• High scorers are aggressive, cold, egocentric, impersonal, impulsive, antisocial, creative, have problems with alcohol or drugs, have violent criminal behaviour, potentially with controlling parents

Primary Role of Heredity for Eysenck

• Eysenck believed traits and dimensions were determined by heredity
• Studied twins and adopted children to support this belief that genetics was dominant

Trait Theory Summarized

• Recommendations on a video resource to demonstrate further on the subject

The Five Factor Model (Big Five)

• A refined expansion on the five personality traits (also known as the "Big Five")

Costa and McCrae: Five-Factor Model

• Confirmed factors via assessment techniques; Helped develop the NEO Personality Inventory
• Results can be distorted by subject manipulation

McCrae and Costa's Big Five Personality Factors

• Includes; Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness

Factors are viewed on a continuum

McCrae and Costa's Big Five Personality Traits in more detail

• Detailed descriptions for low and high scores for each trait

Research on McCrae and Costa's Ideas

• Research demonstrates a strong hereditary component for neuroticism, extraversion, openness, and conscientiousness

• Agreeableness shows a strong environmental component

• Factors are found in various cultures

• Traits remain stable over the lifespan, somewhat

• Gender differences on traits reported

• Societal perception of traits

Emotional Correlates

• Well-being: High extraversion, low neuroticism, high agreeableness, and conscientiousness
• Extraversion: Social support, likeable, positive emotions
• Neuroticism: Negative outcomes

Behavioral Correlates

• Conscientiousness: Better grades, responsible work habits, increased health benefits, those scoring low may abuse alcohol or drugs
• Agreeableness: Fewer behavioral problems
• Openness: Variety of interests, seeks challenges
• Neuroticism: Longer lifespan
• Extraversion: More social relationships

Personality Traits and the Internet

• Correlation study on internet usage and specific personality traits

Reflections on the Trait Approach

• Heredity plays a considerable role in personality
• Practical and theoretical implications exist for personality psychologists
• Family and environmental factors should not be ignored when studying personality

Learning Styles Inventory

• Questions to help identify learning styles
• Recommendations to utilize learning-style techniques for the best results.

Learning Styles Links

• Links to help students learn which learning techniques best suit their learning style

Reviewing Results of Learning Styles Inventory

• Guidelines to study the learning style inventory

This quiz explores the Five Factor Theory of Personality, developed by McCrae and Costa, and various approaches to personality development including psychoanalytic, behavioral, and humanistic perspectives. Test your knowledge on key theorists and concepts related to personality traits and their origins.