PSYC 2130 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Nomothetic, Abnormal Psychology, Heredity

• School: York University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 2130
• Professor: Christa Philips

Document Summary

Trait theories of personality: allport, eysenck and cattell. Trait theorists are interested in traits for which there are significant differences among people: the decision to build a personality theory on trait constructs implies a certain view of the person. It implies that there is substantial consistency to individuals lives. Contemporary social life presents many changes: people change schools, jobs etc. We also are presented with many roles throughout life: student, son, daughter etc. Trait theo(cid:396)ists fu(cid:374)da(cid:373)e(cid:374)tal (cid:373)essage is that (cid:862)despite all these (cid:448)a(cid:396)iatio(cid:374)s, the(cid:396)e is a (cid:272)o(cid:374)siste(cid:374)t personality in there. People possess psychological qualities that endure almost regardless of time and place. People with different levels of a given personality trait may differ predictably in their everyday behavior. Some trait theo(cid:396)ists suggest that the t(cid:396)ait (cid:272)o(cid:374)st(cid:396)u(cid:272)ts (cid:272)a(cid:374) (cid:271)e used to e(cid:454)plai(cid:374) a pe(cid:396)so(cid:374)"s (cid:271)eha(cid:448)io(cid:396). Not all trait psychologists use trait terms to accomplish this 3rd scientific function: explanation.