Personality as traits Prof. - PowerPoint Presentation

1. Personality as traitsProf. Roomana N. SiddiquiChairpersonDepartment of Psychology

2. Trait approach begins with the observation that individual often differ greatly and consistently in their response to the same psychological situation.Trait psychology rests on the idea that people differ from one another in terms of where they stand on a set of basic trait dimensions that persist over time and across situations. A trait can be thought of as a relatively stable characteristic that causes individuals to behave in certain ways.They cannot be directly observed but is inferred from their behaviour. If a person showing similar behaviour in a variety of situation we conclude that they have a set of enduring characteristics or traits.

3. Traits have a generalized effect on behaviour and hence on the basis of his trait we can predict and explain his behaviour in diverse situation.Traits are just like mental set which results in a readiness to respond to a variety of situation in a similar manner.Traits are long lasting.They affect behaviour of a person.They affect behaviour in diverse situation.

4. Another important feature of personality traits is that they reflect continuous distributions rather than distinct personality types. This means that when personality psychologists talk about Introverts and Extraverts, they are not really talking about two distinct types of people who are completely and qualitatively different from one another. Instead, they are talking about people who score relatively low or relatively high along a continuous distribution.Thus difference between individual on a given trait is a matter of degree rather than kind. So traits are not an all-or none phenomenon.

5. A trait is marked by the tendency to act, think, and feel in a certain way—over time and across situations.Woodworth defines trait as some quality of behaviour which characterizes the individual in a wide range of his activities and is fairly consistent over a period of time.Guilford defines trait as any distinguishable, relatively enduring way in which one individual varies from the other.

6. There are three criteria that characterize personality traits: (1) consistency, (2) stability, and (3) individual differences.1. To have a personality trait, individuals must be somewhat consistent across situations in their behaviours related to the trait. For example, if they are talkative at home, they tend also to be talkative at work.2. Individuals with a trait are also somewhat stable over time in behaviours related to the trait. If they are talkative, for example, at age 30, they will also tend to be talkative at age 40.3. People differ from one another on behaviours related to the trait. Using speech is not a personality trait but people differ on how frequently they talk so personality traits such as Talkativeness exist.

7. Allport: A trait is a predisposition to respond in an equivalent manner to various kind of stimuli.For Allport traits are the most important unit of analysis for representing what people are like and how they differ from one another behaviourally. Traits are psychological in nature and affect behaviour.The same stimulus affects different people in different ways as a result they behave differently but different stimuli affect the same person in a similar way.

8. Allport saw trait s a neuropsychic structure having the capacity to render many stimuli functionally equivalent.It accounts for more permanent enduring and general feature of our behaviour. He gave three types of traits.1. Cardinal traits: When a trait is very dominant so that its influence is seen on all activities. Allport suggested that cardinal traits are rare and tend to define a person to such an extent that their names become synonymous with their personality eg., narcissistic personality, Hitler like etc.

9. 2. Central traits: It is less pervasive than cardinal trait but are the building blocks of personality. These are tendencies that people often express and people around him can infer about it.They describe the major characteristics you might use to describe another person. Terms such as "intelligent," "honest," "shy," and "anxious" are considered central traits. Generally people have 5 to 10 central traits.3. Secondary traits: Secondary traits are less generalized, less consistent and less relevant to the definition of personality. They are sometimes related to attitudes or preferences. They often appear only in certain situations or under specific circumstances. Some examples include public speaking anxiety, or impatience while waiting in line, food preference.

10. CattelAccording to Cattell a trait is a mental structure that is inferred from behavior. The mental structure accounts for the regularity and consistency in behavior.He distinguished between two types of trait:1. Source trait: They are the underlying source of behavior. They are not expressed directly but through surface traits2. Surface trait: They are directly expressed in behavior, in our emotions and the way we do things.

11. 16 Personality Factors (16 PF test)Abstractedness: Imaginative versus practicalApprehension: Worried versus confidentDominance: Forceful versus submissiveEmotional stability: Calm versus high-strungLiveliness: Spontaneous versus restrainedOpenness to change: Flexible versus attached to the familiarPerfectionism: Controlled versus undisciplinedPrivateness: Discreet versus open

12. Reasoning: Abstract versus concreteRule-consciousness: Conforming versus non-conformingSelf-reliance: Self-sufficient versus dependentSensitivity: Tender-hearted versus tough-mindedSocial boldness: Uninhibited versus shyTension: Inpatient versus relaxedVigilance: Suspicious versus trustingWarmth: Outgoing versus reserved

13. Costa and McCrae : They have given the Big Five personality traits.1. Extraversion: characterized by excitability, sociability, talkativeness, assertiveness, and high amounts of emotional expressiveness. People who are high in extraversion are outgoing and tend to gain energy in social situations. Being around other people helps them feel energized and excited. People who are low on extraversion (or introverted) tend to be more reserved and have less energy to expend in social settings. Social events can feel draining and introverts often require a period of solitude and quiet in order to "recharge.“HighLowEnjoys being the center of attentionLikes to start conversationsEnjoys meeting new people and has a wide social circle of friends Say things before thinking about themPrefers solitude, Feels exhausted when having to socialize a lotFinds it difficult to start conversationsDislikes making small talkCarefully thinks things through before speakingDislikes being the center of attention

14. 2. OpennessThis trait features characteristics such as imagination and insight. People who are high in this trait also tend to have a broad range of interests. They are curious about the world and other people and eager to learn new things and enjoy new experiences.People who are high in this trait tend to be more adventurous and  creative. People low in this trait are often much more traditional and may struggle with abstract thinking.HighLowVery creativeOpen to trying new thingsFocused on tackling new challengesHappy to think about abstract conceptsDislikes changeDoes not enjoy new thingsResists new ideasNot very imaginativeDislikes abstract or theoretical concepts

15. HighLowSpends time preparingFinishes important tasks right awayPays attention to detailEnjoys having a set scheduleDislikes structure and schedulesFails to return things or put them back where they belong procrastinates important tasksFails to complete necessary or assigned tasks3. ConscientiousnessStandard features of this dimension include high levels of thoughtfulness, good impulse control, and goal-directed behaviors. Highly conscientious people tend to be organized and mindful of details. They plan ahead, think about how their behavior affects others, and are mindful of deadlines.

16. HighLowHas a great deal of interest in other peopleCares about othersFeels  empathy  and concern for other peopleEnjoys helping and contributing to the happiness of other peopleAssists others who are in need of helpTakes little interest in othersDoesn't care about how other people feelHas little interest in other people's problemsInsults and belittles othersManipulates others to get what they want4. AgreeablenessThis personality dimension includes attributes such as trust, altruism, kindness, affection, and other prosocial behavior People who are high in agreeableness tend to be more cooperative while those low in this trait tend to be more competitive and sometimes even manipulative.

17. HighLowExperiences a lot of stressWorries about many different thingsGets upset easilyExperiences dramatic shifts in moodFeels anxiousStruggles to bounce back after stressful eventsEmotionally stableDeals well with stressRarely feels sad or depressedDoesn't worry muchIs very relaxed5. NeuroticismNeuroticism is a trait characterized by sadness, moodiness, and emotional instability. Individuals who are high in this trait tend to experience mood swings, anxiety, irritability, and sadness. Those low in this trait tend to be more stable and emotionally resilient.

18. factorLow Score DescriptionHigh Score DescriptionNeuroticismCalm, Even-tempered, Self-satisfied, Comfortable, Unemotional, HardyWorrying, Temperamental, Self-pitying, Self-conscious, Emotional, VulnerableExtraversionReserved, Loner, Quiet, Passive, Sober, UnfeelingAffectionate, Joiner, Talkative, Active, Fun-loving, PassionateOpenness to ExperienceDown-to-earth, Uncreative, Conventional, Prefer routine, Uncurious, ConservativeImaginative, Creative, Original, Prefer variety, Curious, LiberalAgreeablenessRuthless, Suspicious, Stingy, Antagonistic, Critical, IrritableSofthearted, Trusting, Generous, Acquiescent, Lenient, Good-naturedConscientiousnessNegligent, Lazy, Disorganized, Late, Aimless, QuittingConscientious, Hardworking, Well-organized, Punctual, Ambitious, PerseveringCosta and McCrae