Submitted by: Submitted by kim228
Views: 10
Words: 564
Pages: 3
Category: Philosophy and Psychology
Date Submitted: 04/27/2016 08:44 PM
1. Explain the theory of Gordon Allport about the concept of trait in personality.
Gordon Allport defined personality as “the dynamic organization within the individual of those psychophysical systems that determine his characteristic behavior and thought” (Engler). Allport believed that the traits in a personality are genuinely real structures within an individual that influences the way they behave. These traits are broken down into common traits and personal dispositions. Common traits can be compared in a given culture. Such as if a culture is strictly assertive, this trait can become part of a person. Personal disposition describes the uniqueness of us. There are many, over hundreds of traits that are categorized into three traits, which are cardinal, central and secondary traits.
If a personal disposition is spread among a group a people and it begins to affect the way a person behaves then it is called cardinal disposition. This trait dominates and defines a person’s life, and can sometimes be rare in a person. An example of a cardinal trait is the need for love, or power. Adolf Hitler carried the cardinal trait of the intense need for power.
Central traits make up our personality. These traits are easily noticeable and are the core traits of a person’s personality. Secondary traits are behaviors known by close friends or family. These are usually hidden, or kept in secret. An example of a secondary trait is an individuals taste in music.
2. Describe the similarities and differences of “The 16 Personality Factors” of Raymond Cattel from the “Big Five Personality Traits”.
The big five personality traits are neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness and conscientiousness. These five traits have a few similarities but quite a few differences compared to the 16 personality factors. Neuroticism is the fundamental personality trait that is characterized by anxiety, fear, envy and jealousy. This trait can be compared to the...