PERSONALITY TRAIT THEORY
Introduction
Personality trait theory is a widely studied area of psychology which seeks to explain how and why individuals differ in their behaviors, thoughts and emotions. The theory suggests that individuals can be described in terms of a number of broad traits, which can be used to predict and explain a range of behaviors. This article will provide an overview of the personality trait theory, including its definition, history, characteristics and some references for further reading.
Definition
Personality trait theory is a theory of personality which suggests that individuals can be described in terms of a number of broad traits or dimensions. These traits are thought to be relatively stable across time and situations, and can be used to predict and explain a range of behaviors. Generally, the traits are thought to be organized into a hierarchical structure, with more general traits at the top and more specific traits at the bottom.
History
The concept of personality traits has a long history in psychology, with the earliest references dating back to the ancient Greeks. Early theorists such as Hippocrates and Galen suggested that individual differences in behavior could be explained in terms of four distinct traits or temperaments – sanguine, choleric, melancholic and phlegmatic. Later theorists such as the Swiss psychologist Carl Jung developed theories of personality which focused on the concept of personality types, rather than traits. In the 1930s, the American psychologist Gordon Allport developed the trait theory of personality, which suggested that individuals could be described in terms of a number of broad traits or dimensions. Since then, the concept of personality traits has been widely studied and developed, with many different trait models being proposed.
Characteristics
The trait theory of personality suggests that individuals can be described in terms of a number of broad traits or dimensions. Generally, these traits are thought to be relatively stable across time and situations, and can be used to predict and explain a range of behaviors. Some of the most commonly studied traits include Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism and Openness to Experience. Additionally, there are a number of other trait models which have been proposed, such as the Five Factor Model, the Big Five Model, and Cattell’s 16 Factor Model.
Conclusion
Personality trait theory is a widely studied area of psychology which seeks to explain how and why individuals differ in their behaviors, thoughts and emotions. The theory suggests that individuals can be described in terms of a number of broad traits, which can be used to predict and explain a range of behaviors. This article has provided an overview of the personality trait theory, including its definition, history, characteristics and some references for further reading.
References
Allport, G. W. (1937). Personality: A psychological interpretation. New York, NY: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
Cattell, R. B. (1971). Abilities: Their structure, growth, and action. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.
Hippocrates. (2016). Hippocratis Opera Omnia. Retrieved from: https://archive.org/details/hippocratisopera00hippuoft
Jung, C. G. (1921). Psychological types. London, UK: Routledge & Kegan Paul.
McCrae, R. R., & Costa, P. T., Jr. (1989). Reinterpreting the Myers-Briggs type indicator from the perspective of the five-factor model of personality. Journal of Personality, 57(1), 17–40. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.1989.tb00793.x
McCrae, R. R., & Costa, P. T., Jr. (2003). Personality in adulthood: A five-factor theory perspective. New York, NY: Guilford Press.