Psychology2016

Theories of Personality 525

(Schmitt et al., 2007). Furthermore, it appears these dimensions are evident or recogniz-
able not only in most languages and cultures, they are also consistent when assessed
by either self-ratings or observers (Allik et al., 2013; McCrae & Terracciano, 2005). This
cultural commonality raises the question of the origins of the Big Five trait dimensions:
Are child-rearing practices across all those cultures similar enough to result in these five
aspects of personality, or could these five dimensions have a genetic component that
transcends cultural differences? The next section will discuss the evidence for a genetic
basis of the Big Five. The Applying Psychology section at the end of the chapter will
highlight research into insights about these dimensions offered by brain imaging and
personality neuroscience.

Practice Quiz How much do you remember?

Pick the best answer.

1. Trait theories are less concerned with ____
   and more concerned with __.
   a. changing personality; predicting personality
   b. describing personality; explaining personality development
   c. predicting personality; changing personality
   d. predicting behavior; changing personality


2. A colleague at work is asked to describe you to the new manager.
   Most likely, the traits they will use in their description are examples of
   a. common traits. c. source traits.
   b. cardinal traits. d. surface traits.
   3. Cattell’s research and use of factor analysis essentially scaled down
   many, many different ways of describing aspects of personality into
   __ source traits.
   a. 10 c. 5
   b. 16 d. 2
   4. In the Big Five theory of personality, “E” stands for
   a. empathy. c. external.
   b. energy. d. extraversion.

Trait Theories

Allport: believed there were 200 traits that were wired

into the nervous system to guide a person’s behavior

Cattell: developed concept of surface traits and source traits;

identified 16 source traits through factor analysis (later suggested 23);

developed assessment questionnaire to identify original 16 trait dimensions (16PF)

several groups’ work resulted in the five-factor model (Big Five)—

openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism (OCEAN; see Table 13.2)

Mischel and others have suggested that there is a trait–situation interaction;

there is evidence of the Big Five trait dimensions across various cultures

a trait is a consistent, enduring way of thinking, feeling, or behaving;

trait theories attempt to describe personality in terms of a person’s traits and are less concerned with

explaining development, or attempting to change personality

Concept Map L.O. 13.9, 13.10, 13.11

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