Trait/Dispositional Theory

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Trait/Dispositional Theory

• Kimberly Granderson
• Trevis Killen

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Definition

• A trait is any readily-identifiable, stable
  quality that characterizes an individual from
  other individuals
• Traits serve three major functions
• To summarize, predict, and explain a persons
  conduct

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Basic Assumptions

• Traits present specific ideas about a persons
  disposition (the way a person is likely to behave
  across situations as well as over time)
• Human behavior and personality traits can be
  placed on a continuum or organized into a
  hierarchy

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Theorists

• Gordon Allport (1897-1967)
• Raymond B. Cattell (1905-1998)
• Hans J. Eyesnck (1916-1997)

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Allports Disposition Theory

• Allport suggested that each individual has a
  unique set of personality traits
• He called these personal dispositions
• Allport divided traits into three categories
• Cardinal, Central, and Secondary

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Allports Theory (cont)

• Cardinal Traits
• A trait so dominant a persons entire life
  revolves around it.
• Most people do not have one.

• Central Traits
• Qualities that characterize a persons daily
  interactions
• Most people have 5 to 10 central traits
• To understand a person, one should look at the
  pattern of central traits

• Secondary Traits
• Characteristics that are exhibited in specific
  situations
• Secondary traits are more easily modified than
  central traits

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Allports Theory (cont)

• Allport claimed that all people are unique,
  because everyone has a different combination of
  traits
• Allport recommended an in-depth study of the
  individual, through analyzing diaries and use of
  interviews
• Secondary traits are more easily modified than
  central traits
• Most people have many more secondary traits than
  central traits

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Cattells Trait Theory

• Three broad sources of data are required for any
  analysis that aims to uncover all the major
  dimensions of personality.
• These three sources are L-data, Q-data, and
  T-data.
• These three sources of data must be integrated to
  capture the full complexity of human personality.

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Cattells Theory (cont)

• L-Data
• Gathered from ones life records

• Q-Data
• Information gathered from questionnaires and
  interviews

• T-Data
• Information obtained from objective testing
  situations

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Cattells Theory (cont)

• Cattell used factor analysis to discover which
  traits tend to cluster together
• Cattell termed obvious, day-to-day traits,
  surface traits
• He called higher-order, deep traits, source
  traits

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Hans J. Eysenck

• Focused on higher levels of trait organization
  called types
• Types incorporate lower-level elements (traits)
• Each trait incorporates even lower-order
  qualities (habits)
• Eysenck argues that all personality traits can
  be grouped under three bipolar dimensions
  Extraversion-Introversion (E), Neuroticism-Stabili
  ty (N), Psychoticism-Superego Function (P)

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Eysencks Theory (cont)

• Extraversion charatcterizes people based on their
  orientation toward external sources of
  stimulations from the environment versus an
  orientation inward at the opposite extreme.
• Psychotism includes a disposition toward
  psychosis and a degree of sociopathy.
• Neuroticism is basically a measure of emotional
  stability-instability.

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Five Factor Model

• Many theorists agree there are five broad
  categories of traits
• Extraversion-introversion
• Agreeableness-antagonism
• Conscientiousness-undirectedness
• Neuroticism-stability
• Openness to experience

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Belief Regarding Basic Nature

• A result of a biological basis and
  neuropsychological functioning within the
  environment.
• Eysencks research found that introverts are more
  easily aroused by events and learn social
  prohibitions more easily than extroverts.
  Therefore, introverts are more restrained and
  inhibited. Thus, Eysenck hypothesized that
  individual differences along this dimension have
  both hereditary and environmental origins.

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Choice vs. Determinism

• The defining assumptions of the Dispositional
  Strategy is that personality is the set of
  enduring characteristics innate to the person.
  These characteristics influence peoples
  interactions with others and their environment.
  Dispositions are presumed to be relatively
  enduring and stable, producing some degree of
  consistency in behaviors across times and
  circumstances. However, dispositional
  psychologist often caution this assumption,
  because it has to be understood in light of
  several further distinctions.
• Most dispositional psychologist conceptualize an
  individuals enduring dispositions as permanent,
  inherent elements of personality and distinguish
  them from temporary conditions, or states.
  States result from transient situations or
  conditions like illness, fatigue, or sudden
  changes in life circumstances
• For example, trait anxiety is only a
  predisposition to be anxious. People high in
  trait anxiety will not necessarily be anxious all
  the time, but they will be more anxious more
  often and more readily than a similar person who
  is low in trait anxiety. A person low in trait
  anxiety may exhibit state anxiety only under
  highly stressful conditions.

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Key Structures

• Biological
• Genetic
• Neuropsychological

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Etiology of Healthy Perspective

• Maintained through psychological factors that
  relate to, and maintain health (or disease)
  status, through a variety of direct and indirect
  means. Seeking medical attention when necessary
  is on (indirect) means through which behavior
  affects health.

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Etiology of Unhealthy Perspective

• High-risk behaviors such as drug use, smoking, or
  drinking heavily throughout the course of ones
  life can be quite harmful in the end.
  Furthermore, certain types of stress including
  chronic and acute short-term demands also
  contribute to an unhealthy personality.

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Characteristics of a Healthy Perspective

• Positive/Constructive Behavior
• Successful Coping Techniques
• Achievement Striving

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Characteristics of a Unhealthy Perspective

• Tend to be risk takers
• Likely to smoke and drink heavily
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Neuroticism
• Heart Attacks (Cardiovascular Disease)
• Sleep Deprivation

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Guidelines for Assessing Personality

• Interviews
• Projection Tests
• Situational Tests
• Self Reports
• Reputational Reports

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Guidelines for Interventions

• Many interventions arise from the biological
  approach to personality. Although, personality
  traits and dispositions are assumed to be stable
  over time, understanding their relationship with
  health variables can lead to identification of
  individuals at risk for development of specific
  problems

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Biologically Based Treatments

• Psychopharmacology
• Electroconvulsive Therapy
• Psychosurgery
• Photo Therapy

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Assets and Limitations

• Evidence of stability in personality functioning.
• Recognizes that human behavior is complex and
  generally determined by many traits.
• Gains have been made in research on genetics
  contributions to personality and physiological
  aspects of trait characteristics.
• Evidence of the predictive utility of traits.
• Today important research programs are
  investigating the relationship of traits to
  interpersonal behavior and psychopathology.

• What is to be included in a definition of traits
  is not self-evident.
• The trait concept and five-factor model neglects
  to provide us with a comprehensive model of
  personality.
• Trait theory lacks to explain the theory of
  personality change.
• Dispositions do not provide any explanation of
  behavior and are therefore little more than
  common observations.
• Underestimation of the importance of Situational
  Factors.
• Failure to specify when dispositions will be
  manifested in other behavior.
• Premature Acceptance of the Five Factor Model.
• Dispositional Assessment has not yet confronted
  the social desirability problem in self reports.

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Case Studies

• A 69-Year Old Man
• The Case of Jim

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References

• Costa, P. McCrae, R. (2003). Personality in
  Adulthood.NewYork Guildford Press.
• Lahey, B. (2001). Psychology an Introduction
  (8th Edition). New York McGraw-Hill.
• Lawrence, P. Oliver, J. (2001). Personality
  Theory and Research (8th Edition). United
  States John Wiley Sons, Inc.
• Liebert, L. Libert, R. (1998). Personality
  Strategies Issues (8th Edition). Pacific
  grove, Publishing Company Brooks/Cole.