Psychology, Trait Theory And The Study Of Human...

In psychology, trait theory (also called dispositional theory) is an approach to the study of human personality. Trait theorists are primarily interested in the measurement of traits, which can be defined as habitual patterns of behavior, thought, and emotion.[1] According to this perspective, traits are relatively stable over time, differ across individuals (e.g. some people are outgoing whereas others are shy), and influence behavior. Traits are in contrast to states which are more transitory dispositions. In some theories and systems, traits are something a person either has or does not have, but in many others traits are dimensions such as extraversion vs. introversion, with each person rating somewhere along this spectrum. Contents [hide] 1 History 2 Comparing EPQ and Big Five 2.1 Testing methodology, and factors 2.2 Lower-order factors 2.3 Causality 3 List of personality traits 4 See also 5 References History[edit] Gordon Allport was an early pioneer in the study of traits, which he also referred to as dispositions. In his approach, cardinal traits are those that dominate and shape a person s behavior; their ruling passions/obsessions, such as a need for money, fame etc. By contrast, central traits such as honesty are characteristics found in some degree in every person - and finally secondary traits are those seen only in certain circumstances (such as particular likes or dislikes that a very close friend may know), which are included to provide a completeShow MoreRelatedThe Psychoanalytic Theory of Personality903 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿Personality Theories Introduction In psychology, personality can be described as the the patterns of behavior, thought, and emotion unique to an individual, and the ways they interact to help or hinder the adjustment of a person to other people and situations (personality, 2012). Psychologists may make use of idiographic or nomothetic techniques in order to study personality of an individual. 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