Cattell’s Factorial Theory of Personality: A Review
Abstract
This paper reviews Raymond Cattell’s Factorial Theory of Personality, which is one of the most influential theories in psychology. The article presents a comprehensive overview of the components of the theory, including Cattell’s 16 Personality Factors, and discusses its implications for research in the field of personality. In addition, the paper examines how Cattell’s theory has been modified over time, and how it continues to be relevant today.
Keywords: personality, Cattell, factorial theory
Introduction
Personality is a complex phenomenon that has been widely studied in psychology. The study of personality has led to the development of numerous theories which seek to explain how individuals differ in their behavior and attitudes. One of the most influential and widely-studied theories is Raymond Cattell’s Factorial Theory of Personality (FTOP). Cattell developed his theory in the 1940s and 1950s, and it has been modified over the years to account for changes in research and understanding of personality. This paper provides a review of Cattell’s FTOP and its implications for research in the field of personality.
Cattell’s 16 Personality Factors
The core of Cattell’s FTOP is his 16 Personality Factors (16PF). The 16PF are a set of 16 personality traits which Cattell proposed as a comprehensive description of personality. The 16PF are divided into two groups: primary factors and secondary factors. The primary factors are the core traits which make up the individual’s personality, while the secondary factors are derived from the primary factors. The 16PF are as follows:
Primary Factors
1. Warmth: Friendliness, helpfulness and trustworthiness
2. Reasoning: Ability to think logically and abstractly
3. Emotional Stability: Ability to remain calm and composed
4. Dominance: Social assertiveness and leadership
5. Liveliness: Energy and enthusiasm
6. Rule-Consciousness: Ability to follow rules and regulations
7. Social Boldness: Assertiveness and sociability
8. Sensitivity: Ability to tune into the feelings of others
Secondary Factors
9. Vigilance: Ability to remain alert and aware
10. Abstractedness: Ability to think conceptually and abstractly
11. Privateness: Preference for personal space
12. Apprehension: Anxiety and worrying
13. Openness to Change: Ability to adapt to new situations
14. Self-Reliance: Independence and autonomy
15. Perfectionism: Need for order and precision
16. Tension: Feelings of stress and tension
Implications and Relevance of Cattell’s FTOP
Cattell’s FTOP has been influential in the field of personality psychology, and it has been used as a basis for further research and development in the area. Cattell’s 16 Personality Factors have been used to study the relationships between personality and other psychological variables, such as job performance, health, and interpersonal relationships. Cattell’s theory has also been used to understand the development of personality, and how it changes over time.
In addition, Cattell’s FTOP has been modified over time to account for changes in research and understanding of personality. For example, there have been attempts to reduce the number of factors in the model in order to make it more parsimonious. Other modifications have included changes to the definition of the factors, as well as the inclusion of new factors.
Conclusion
Cattell’s FTOP has been one of the most influential theories in the field of personality psychology. The 16 Personality Factors proposed by Cattell provide a comprehensive description of personality, and have been used to study the relationships between personality and other psychological variables. In addition, the theory has been modified over time to account for changes in research and understanding of personality. As such, Cattell’s FTOP continues to be relevant and influential in the field of personality psychology.
References
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