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Questions and Answers
What are Trait Theories?
What are Trait Theories?
Personality traits are more or less permanent characteristics that influence how we see the world and respond to it.
Which of the following are basic assumptions of Trait Theories? (Select all that apply)
Which of the following are basic assumptions of Trait Theories? (Select all that apply)
- Personality traits are temporary
- Every trait applies to all people to some extent (correct)
- Trait theories are not scientifically based
- Trait descriptions can be quantified (correct)
Which personality traits did Ancient Greeks classify?
Which personality traits did Ancient Greeks classify?
- Sanguine
- Melancholic
- Choleric
- Phlegmatic
- All of the above (correct)
Ancient Greeks felt the Ancient Greek Traits were caused by ______________.
Ancient Greeks felt the Ancient Greek Traits were caused by ______________.
What does the term sanguine mean?
What does the term sanguine mean?
What does the term melancholic mean?
What does the term melancholic mean?
What does the term choleric mean?
What does the term choleric mean?
What does the term phlegmatic mean?
What does the term phlegmatic mean?
Who is Gordon Allport?
Who is Gordon Allport?
Gordon Allport's traits fall into how many categories?
Gordon Allport's traits fall into how many categories?
What are cardinal traits?
What are cardinal traits?
What are central traits?
What are central traits?
What are secondary traits?
What are secondary traits?
Who is Raymond Cattell?
Who is Raymond Cattell?
What are surface traits?
What are surface traits?
What are source traits?
What are source traits?
Who is Hans Eysenck?
Who is Hans Eysenck?
What are the two major dimensions of personality identified by Eysenck?
What are the two major dimensions of personality identified by Eysenck?
Match the following traits with their characteristics:
Match the following traits with their characteristics:
What are Eysenck's 'Big 5 Traits'?
What are Eysenck's 'Big 5 Traits'?
Proponents of trait theory believe that while genetics play a large role in our personality, _______________ also plays a role.
Proponents of trait theory believe that while genetics play a large role in our personality, _______________ also plays a role.
By the time we get to be ___________ our traits are pretty much set.
By the time we get to be ___________ our traits are pretty much set.
Trait theories, especially the '__________' traits, think we are born with our traits.
Trait theories, especially the '__________' traits, think we are born with our traits.
Who was Hippocrates?
Who was Hippocrates?
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine philosophy, personality is determined by what?
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine philosophy, personality is determined by what?
What are Doshas?
What are Doshas?
What two popular 20th century theories emerged from the drive for a more scientific approach to understanding personality?
What two popular 20th century theories emerged from the drive for a more scientific approach to understanding personality?
How do Trait Theorists define personality?
How do Trait Theorists define personality?
Who is considered the first major trait theorist?
Who is considered the first major trait theorist?
What trait theory do the mnemonics OCEAN and CANOE refer to?
What trait theory do the mnemonics OCEAN and CANOE refer to?
Briefly describe how the Big 5 Traits are measured.
Briefly describe how the Big 5 Traits are measured.
Who are Robert McCrae and Paul Costa?
Who are Robert McCrae and Paul Costa?
What is the characteristic associated with Agreeableness?
What is the characteristic associated with Agreeableness?
What is the characteristic associated with Extraversion?
What is the characteristic associated with Extraversion?
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Study Notes
Trait Theories
- Personality traits are enduring characteristics that shape perceptions and responses to the world.
Basic Assumptions of Trait Theories
- Traits are applicable to all individuals to varying degrees.
- Trait characteristics can be quantified for measurement purposes.
Ancient Greek Personality Classification
- Four primary personality traits identified:
- Sanguine (cheerful)
- Melancholic (depressed)
- Choleric (irritable)
- Phlegmatic (unemotional)
Humors Theory
- Ancient Greeks attributed personality traits to four bodily fluids known as humors.
Gordon Allport's Contributions
- A key trait theorist emphasizing the uniqueness of individual personalities.
- Advocated for studying mentally healthy individuals rather than seeking universal personality laws.
- Categorized traits into three groups: cardinal, central, and secondary.
Trait Categories According to Allport
- Cardinal traits: Overarching characteristics that define a person, evident in most behaviors (e.g., Mother Teresa).
- Central traits: Core characteristics that most people possess, typically 5-10 traits.
- Secondary traits: Less defining, situation-specific traits.
Raymond Cattell's Research
- Proposed 16 fundamental personality dimensions to describe human personality.
- Differentiated between surface traits (observable behaviors) and source traits (underlying core characteristics).
Hans Eysenck's Dimensions of Personality
- Focused on genetically influenced personality traits.
- Identified two major personality dimensions:
- Extraversion vs. Introversion
- Emotional Stability vs. Instability
- Added Psychoticism vs. Social Sensitivity.
Eysenck's Big 5 Traits (CANOE)
- Included the traits:
- Conscientiousness
- Agreeableness
- Neuroticism (emotional stability vs. instability)
- Openness
- Extraversion
Role of Environment
- Trait theory proponents recognize the influence of environment along with genetics in personality development.
Trait Stability in Adulthood
- Personality traits are largely stable by adulthood.
Big 5 Traits Nature
- Proponents believe traits are innate, evident from birth.
Historical Figures and Theories
- Hippocrates suggested personality corresponds to four basic humors.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine claims personality balances elements (earth, wind, fire, water, metal).
- Hindu medicine identifies personality with three principles known as Doshas.
Development of Trait and Social-Cognitive Perspectives
- Scientific aspirations in personality psychology led to these two influential theories in the 20th century.
Defining Personality in Trait Theory
- Described as stable behavior patterns and conscious motivations.
Key Contributors to the Big 5 Theory
- Robert McCrae and Paul Costa are notable theorists behind the Big 5 model.
Measuring the Big 5 Traits
- Each trait exists on a spectrum, contrasting extremes against one another.
Additional Trait Attributes
- Agreeableness: Ranges from ruthlessness to trustworthiness.
- Extraversion: Spectrum from reserved behavior to sociability.
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