Cattel’s
theory of personality
Reymond
B Cattel is another ardent propounder of the trait theory of personality
For
him basic structural element is the trait.
He defined a trait as a structure of personality inferred from the
behavior in different situations.
He
classified traits in four categories
1.
Common traits
Certain traits which are found widely
distributed in general population
It may be honesty, cooperation,
aggression
2.
Unique traits
These traits are possessed by
particular persons as temperamental traits, emotional reaction, and energy etc.
These are distinctive and unique to a
person
These
traits act as the basis for individual difference.
3.
Surface traits
Traits which can be easily recognized
by overt manifestation of behavior like curiosity, tactfulness, integrity,
dependability
4. Source
traits
Those Traits which determine the
behavior of the individual.
These are underlying structures or
sources that determine behavior such as dominance and emotionality.
These traits cannot be seen directly
or externally in the behavior of an individual.
Cattell
considers source trait is more important than surface traits
Cattell
compiled a list of 17000 personality
traits & develops subsequent modifications through his psychological
research. He found 35
surface traits.
Later Through the process of factor
analysis, he identified 16 source traits, which are called 16 personality
factors.
Cattell
postulated his formula for
the analysis of behaviour / response
R = S1
T1+S2 T2 +S3 T3+…....+Sn Tn
R = Behaviour / Response
T =
Source Trait
S = the importance of the trait
for that response
Through factor analysis approach, he
determined the contribution of hereditary and learning factors in the
development of traits in the individual.
He emphasized the importance of interaction between hereditary and
environment influences in personality development.
Common
feature of trait theories
Consistency
– traits are consistent in an individual’s behavior. They are not temporary
dispositions. They are enduring characteristics of the individual.
Dimensions-
there is agreement regarding the various dimensions of the traits as source
traits, surface common traits etc.
Traits vary in breadth and generality.
Dispositions-
traits fluctuate in a person’s positions with respect to a disposition
Evaluation
of trait theory
Trait
theory is a straight forward approach to the measurement of personality as it
employs appropriate methods like correlation and factor analysis
Weaknesses
No agreement among the psychologists as
regards the use of the terms
Trait
is not permanent or static characteristic of the individual because personality
is undergoing the perpetual change.
Another
difficulty is the quantification of human traits. There is no suitable
measuring tool.
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