Trait and Factor Theory
Gordon Allport
– Traits describe the particular way a person responds
to the environment and the consistency of that
response.
cardinal trait – A personal quality that is so strong a part of
a person’s personality that behavior may be
identified with that trait (i.e., Scrooge)
central traits – traits we would mention when writing a
letter of recommendation (i.e., decisive,
competitive)
Raymond Cattell
surface Traits – Observable qualities of personality, such
as those used to describe a friend (i.e.,
same as Allport’s central traits)
source trait – Traits that underlie surface traits, make up
the most basic personality structure, and
cause behavior (i.e., intelligence)
