Other Theories of Personality

Trait Theory

Trait theorists seek to measure personality rather than study how it forms. Specifically, they want to learn how people differ in terms of their traits. Trait theorists also believe that personality stays the same regardless of the environment. For example, they contend that your personality remains the same regardless of whether you are in front of your boss at work, or at home with your family.

What is a trait?

A trait is a relatively stable personality characteristic. If you have a friend who is usually cheerful and optimistic, then you could say that trait remains fairly consistent. Because trait theorists seek to identify traits and understand their structure, they have developed various personality inventories or tests that analyze and measure traits. These tests provide categories and groupings of traits, which allows them to be sorted and compared. Various types of inventories have been developed to analyze traits. This topic is going to examine three of them.

Cattell 16

Raymond Cattell attempted to identify and measure what he believed were the basic dimensions of personality. His test lists sixteen paired traits on a continuum. In other words, Cattell believed that everyone possessed some degree of each trait. You will have the opportunity to take the Cattell 16 later in this topic.

The Big 5

The Big 5 is another popular personality trait test. Different sets of researchers collaborated to produce this inventory, which categorizes personality traits into five broad dimensions. In this interactivity, you will have the chance to explore some of the specifics of The Big 5. Click the player to begin.

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The Eysenck Model

The Eysenck Model is yet another personality trait test. This test was developed by the psychologist Hans Eysenck. Eysenck focused on two basic traits: extroversion/introversion and neuroticism/emotional stability. In this interactivity, you will have the chance to take a version of this trait test. Click the player to get started.

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Humanistic Theory

“Be all you can be” was once used as the slogan for army recruiting. This motto could also easily represent the humanistic theory. Like trait theorists, humanists care little about how personality develops. They believe people are the architects of personality, and are concerned with growth as a person. This theory emphasizes the potential within individuals. For example, if people are currently unhappy with themselves, humanists believe they have the free will and ability to change and grow.

Carl Rogers

One of the leading humanists was Carl Rogers (1902-1987). Rogers felt that people's potential rested on how they viewed themselves. Such impressions would then form a self-concept. Rogers said that the degree to which people like themselves develops self-esteem. Similarly, Rogers also felt it was crucial for parents to help promote proper self-esteem in children by communicating acceptance and unconditional love, regardless of their behavior or accomplishments.

Socio-Cognitive Theory

The Socio-cognitive theory was created by the psychologist Albert Bandura. Bandura contended that humans learn behavior, but he felt simple reinforcements and experience exist to explain why people act in certain ways. He proposed that an interaction occurs between what we do (behavior) and what we think (cognition). As an example, suppose a person cuts in line at the cafeteria. The wronged person may think “I’m going to teach that guy a lesson.” These angry thoughts (cognition) increase the likelihood of aggressive behavior. In turn, environment and ultimately a person's actions become affected.

 

Other Theories of Personality Review

Now that you have had a chance to learn about some of the other theories of personality, it is time to review your knowledge. Take some time to complete this non-graded activity. Click the player to start the review.