Questions and Answers
What do trait theories of personality focus on?
Identifying, describing, and measuring individual differences.
What is a trait?
A relatively stable, enduring predisposition to consistently behave in a certain way.
What are trait theorists?
Theorists who focus on identifying, describing, and measuring individual differences in behavioral predispositions.
How do trait theorists view individuals?
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What are surface traits?
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Provide an example of a surface trait.
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How many English words describe specific personality traits?
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What are the most fundamental dimensions of personality?
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What is Raymond Cattell known for?
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What is factor analysis?
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Who proposed the 16 personality factors?
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What do the 16 personality factors represent?
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Who developed the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF)?
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What is Hans Eysenck known for?
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What are the three dimensions that Eysenck used?
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What happens when a person is high on the dimension of introversion?
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What happens when a person is high on the dimension of extraversion?
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What is neuroticism?
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What are examples of neuroticism?
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What are examples of emotional stability?
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What does Hans Eysenck believe about individual differences in personality?
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Is the introvert's nervous system more easily aroused than that of an extravert?
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What kind of area do extraverted students tend to study in?
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What kind of area do introverted students tend to study in?
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Study Notes
Trait Theories of Personality
- Focus on identifying, describing, and measuring individual differences in personality.
- Central to trait theories is the concept of "traits," which are stable predispositions to behave in certain consistent ways.
Definition of Traits
- Traits are relatively stable characteristics that influence behavior.
- Trait theorists view individuals as unique combinations of personality traits.
Surface and Source Traits
- Surface traits are observable personality characteristics, easily inferred from behavior (e.g., happy, spacey).
- Source traits are fundamental, broad traits hypothesized to be universal and fewer in number.
Vocabulary and Concepts
- There are approximately 4,000 English words that describe specific personality traits.
- Trait theorists strive to identify the most basic universal source traits to describe individual differences.
Contributions of Raymond Cattell
- Cattell condensed Allport's list of 4,000 traits to about 171 by eliminating redundant terms.
- He employed factor analysis, a statistical technique, to group related traits.
- Cattell proposed 16 essential personality factors and developed the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) for personality assessment.
Hans Eysenck's Trait Theory
- Eysenck identified three primary dimensions of personality: neuroticism, extraversion, and psychoticism.
- Introversion-extraversion reflects the direction of a person's energy—outward (extraversion) or inward (introversion).
- High introversion correlates with being reserved and avoiding new experiences; high extraversion correlates with sociability and seeking stimulation.
Neuroticism and Emotional Stability
- Neuroticism is characterized by emotional upset (e.g., anxiety, tension), while emotional stability indicates a calm demeanor (e.g., relaxed, even-tempered).
Psychoticism
- Individuals scoring high on psychoticism tend to be antisocial, cold, and unconcerned about others.
Biological Basis of Personality
- Eysenck suggested biological differences contribute to individual differences in personality.
- Introverts have a more easily aroused nervous system compared to extraverts.
Study Environments of Introverts and Extraverts
- Extraverted students study in noisy, social environments (e.g., first and second floors of a library).
- Introverted students prefer quiet, isolated study areas (e.g., law library), minimizing stimulation.
Basic Personality Types According to Eysenck
- Eysenck's model includes four basic personality types that stem from the dimensions of introversion/extraversion and neuroticism/stability.
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Description
Explore the intricate world of trait theories in personality psychology. This quiz delves into the definitions of traits, their classifications into surface and source traits, and the contributions made by Raymond Cattell in the field. Test your knowledge and understanding of individual differences in personality!
