The Trait Theory states that personalities are made up of distinct characteristics and qualities. These characteristics partially influence behavior.
There are three types of traits: Cardinal Traits, Central Traits, and Secondary Traits
Citations:
Cherry, K. (n.d.). The Trait Theory of Personality. about.com Psychology. Retrieved April 17, 2014, from http://psychology.about.com/od/theoriesofpersonality/a/trait-theory.htm
Myers, D. (2010). Module 47: Contemporary Research on Personality. Psychology In Modules, 9th Edition (). New York: Worth Publishers.
There are three types of traits: Cardinal Traits, Central Traits, and Secondary Traits
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- Cardinal: these traits are dominant over a person's entire life to the point to where they define who the person is. Examples Christ-like, Freudian, and Don Juan.
- Central: These are more general descriptions that form the basic building blocks of someone's personality. They are not as dominant as cardinal traits, but they are the major characteristics one might use to describe someone. Examples include shy, intelligent, caring, and honest.
- Secondary: these traits are related to attitudes or dispositions in certain situations and experiences. Examples include getting nervous while presenting a speech in a class or before an audience or irritability during traffic jams.
- Cardinal: these traits are dominant over a person's entire life to the point to where they define who the person is. Examples Christ-like, Freudian, and Don Juan.
- The trait theory does not believe that traits change over time or in different situations, generalizing that people are the same all the time. For example, if a person is very kind and considerate around friends and family, their behaviors would reflect these traits. However, this typically kind person may not always be kind. If they were having a phone conversation with someone who was difficult to deal with, they may turn impatient and mean. The trait theory would disagree that their traits would change between the two circumstances.
- The inconsistency in behaviors and traits makes personality test results weak and unreliable. For example, if a test result concluded that someone was an introvert, this does not predict how they will act in other situations. They may be introverted in one situation but very sociable in another.
Citations:
Cherry, K. (n.d.). The Trait Theory of Personality. about.com Psychology. Retrieved April 17, 2014, from http://psychology.about.com/od/theoriesofpersonality/a/trait-theory.htm
Myers, D. (2010). Module 47: Contemporary Research on Personality. Psychology In Modules, 9th Edition (). New York: Worth Publishers.