PSYB30H3 Lecture Notes - Gordon Allport, Raymond Cattell, Trait Theory
Document Summary
Trait: a consistent pattern of behavior, emotion, and thought. Trait theories provide descriptions that must be explained by other theories. Theorists try to establish: framework within which any and all persons can be described taxonomy of traits. Behaviours can be represented on trait continuum - each person can be placed somewhere on continuum. Scores assumed to be normal distributed (fewer people score in the extreme on any trait) Ordering people along these dimensions is nomothetic approach used in most trait theories. Ex: comparing canadians and americans on the trait of risk-aversion. In-depth study of individuals (ideograph) vs. comparing larger groups of people on one or two traits (nomothemic) Idiographic means looking at how an individual reacts to situations. Used techniques like diaries, interviews, behavioural observations, q-sort etc. to assess personality. Q-sort: having a person sorting cards with traits written on them in order of what traits apply to the individual.
