CHAPTER 14Theories of Personality

The trait approach

Section 1

The Trait Approach

Trait-an aspect of personality that is considered to be reasonably stable. Assumed to account for consistent behavior

in different situations Traits are somehow fixed or unchanging Where do traits come from?????

That is the question

Ancient Greek Physician-Hippocrates

Body contains fluid called humors Traits are a mixture of bodily fluids

Yellow bile- quick tempered disposition Blood- warm and cheerful temperament Phlegm- sluggish and cool disposition Black bile-melancholic, thoughtful

temperament Diseases and disorders reflected a lack of

balance of fluids Bloodletting and vomiting were recommended

to restore balance

Gordon Allport

Cataloged 18,000 words that describe a person Physical – Behavior- Morality

Traits were inherited and fixed in the nervous system

Traits are the building blocks of personality

A person’s behavior is the product of a particular combination of traits

Hans Eysenck

Focused on the relationship- Two personality dimensions

Introversion- extroversion emotional stable-unstable

Introverts-imaginative, look inward for ideas and energy

Extroverts- active, self-expressive, gain energy from interaction with others

Continue --Hans Eysenck

Stable- reliable, composed and rational

Unstable- agitated and unpredictable

Eysenck’s Personality Dimensions

The Big 5 factor model

Extroversion-talkativeness, assertiveness/ silence, passivity, reserve

Agreeableness-kindness trust warm/ hostility, selfishness and distrust

Conscientiousness-organized, thoroughness , reliability/ carelessness, negligence, unreliability

Emotional stability-instability--reliability, coping ability /nervousness, moodiness, sensitivity to negative events

Openness to experience-imagination/ curiosity, creativity/ shallowness lack of perceptiveness

Evaluation of the Trait Approach Shortcoming

Describes personality- does not explain where traits come from

Today- focuses on describing traits rather than tracing their origins or investigating how people can change for the better

Positive – links between personality, abilities and interests, Used to link people to educational

programs and jobs