PSYB30H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Raymond Cattell, Trait Theory, Fluid And Crystallized Intelligence
Document Summary
Ordering people along these dimensions is nomothetic approach used in most trait theories. Compares people along the same personality dimensions - ex. comparing canadians and. Contrast with idiographic approach - in depth study of individuals, figure out how the various aspects of personality work together. Trait = a consistent pattern of behavior, emotion, and thought. Trait theories provide descriptions that must be explained by other theories. Common traits = traits shared by all. Behaviours can be represented on trait continuum. Ordering people along these dimensions is nomothetic approach used in most trait theories: compares people along the same personality dimensions. Ex: shy person might see all social situations as threatening and react with anxiety. Ex: person who is very helpful might see many situations as opportunities to help others. Traits express what a person generally does across situations - not what the person will always do but some pattern will be there.
