Trait theory

Trait theory is a psychological framework that attempts to identify and measure the personality traits that people possess. These traits are considered to be habitual patterns of behavior, thought, and emotion that are relatively stable over time and across situations. Trait theory is often used in psychology and other social sciences to predict and understand human behavior.

Overview

Trait theory, also known as dispositional theory, proposes that individuals have consistent characteristics and behaviors that form their personality. These traits are believed to be relatively stable over time, differ among individuals, and influence behavior. Trait theory is focused on identifying and measuring these individual personality characteristics.

History

The concept of personality traits can be traced back to the ancient Greeks, but the modern trait theory was developed by several 20th century psychologists. The most notable among them are Gordon Allport, who categorized traits into three levels, and Raymond Cattell, who used a statistical technique called factor analysis to narrow down Allport's list to 16 key traits.

Key Concepts

Trait theory revolves around the analysis and identification of a person's personality traits. These traits are categorized as:

• Cardinal Traits: These are the traits that dominate an individual's whole life, often to the point that the person becomes known specifically for these traits.
• Central Traits': These are the general characteristics that form the basic foundation of personality.
• Secondary Traits: These are the traits that are sometimes related to attitudes or preferences and often appear only in certain situations or under specific circumstances.

Criticisms

While trait theory has been influential in the field of personality psychology, it has also faced several criticisms. Critics argue that trait theory does not consider the influence of the environment or situational contexts on personality and behavior. It is also criticized for its reliance on self-report data, which can be unreliable.

See Also

• Personality psychology
• Big Five personality traits
• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

References

Trait theory Resources
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