PSYB30H3 Midterm: Chapter 3 Traits and Trait Taxa
Document Summary
Words that describe traits, attributes of a person that are reasonably characteristic of the person and perhaps enduring over time consistent and stable characteristics: traits/dispositions are stable and consistent over situations. Once the important traits are identified, formulate an organized scheme = taxonomy within which to assemble the individual traits. Some personality psychologists view traits as internal (hidden properties) of persons that cause their behaviour. Others make no assumptions about causality and simply describe aspects of behaviour. Needs, wants, and desires causal explain the behaviour of the individuals who possess them. No assumptions about internal causality describe expressed behaviour. Must (cid:374)ot p(cid:396)ejudge the (cid:272)ause of so(cid:373)eo(cid:374)e"s (cid:271)ehaviour. Identify which acts belong in which trait categories: e. g. asking a group of participants what traits account for someone who exerts power. Identify which acts are most central to, or prototypical of, each trait category better examples, more central to what most people mean.
