Traits

n How we describe ourselves - patterns of behavior

n stable across time

n stable across situation

n additive and independent

How to measure traits?

n Self-report

n social desirability

n MMPI (empirical keying)

n other-report

n observer ratings

n observability of traits

n TAT

Hippocrates and the four humors

n sanguine (blood)

n hopeful, cheerful

n melancholic (black bile)

n sad, depressive

n choleric (yellow bile)

n angry, irritable

n phlegmatic (phlegm)

n slow, apathetic

Gordon Allport

n idiographic approach to personality

n conscious determinants of behavior - functionally autonomous

n central traits

n secondary traits

n cardinal traits

n proprium

Raymond Cattell

n Empirical, nomothetic approach

n source traits

n factor analysis

n three types of data:

n q-data - self-report

n t-data - controlled test, observational

n l-data - information from life

Five-factor theory

n EXTROVERSION (E)

n Warmth, Gregariousness, Assertiveness, Excitement-seeking, Activity, Positive emotions

n NEUROTICISM (N)

n Anxiety, Hostility, Depression, Self-consciousness, Impulsiveness, Vulnerability

Five-factor theory (cont)

n OPENNESS (O)

n Fantasy, Aesthetics, Feelings, Actions, Ideas, Values

n AGREEABLENESS (A)

n Trust, Straightforwardness, Altruism, Compliance, Modesty, Tender-mindedness

n CONSCIENTIOUSNESS (C)

n Competence, Order, Dutifulness, Achievement striving, Self-discipline, Deliberation

Henry Murray

n Emphasized uniqueness and interaction of individual and situation

n needs that motivate behavior

n behavior is an interaction of these needs and environmental press

n alpha press: the actual environment

n beta press: what the person perceives in the environment

Situation v. Trait

n Mischel

n Trait measures do not predict behavior well

n Absence of cross-situational consistency

n In defense of traits

n Aggregate data

n Traited v. untraited individuals

n The importance of 10% of variance