Dispositional Theory: Cattell, Eysenck and Allport Trait theories focus on the description of personality and the ability to group personality characteristics into a relatively permanent set of dispositions. Typically, trait theorists spend little time discussing the motivation, formation, or dynamics of personality; rather, they are concerned with identifying and labeling personality characteristics. Unlike previous chapters, there is not a single theorist who is primarily responsible for advances in trait theory or our understanding of trait dimensions. Rather, there are a variety of theorists who have each contributed to various aspects of trait identification and factor analysis. View the video "Personality Traits" (text version) for an overview of trait theory. This week we will examine the trait theories of Cattell, Eysenck and Allport. Using different analytical techniques, each theorist has identified a different set of core personality traits and a different description of the structure of personality. To get started, read Chapter 13 - Cattell and Eysenck: Trait and Factor Theories and Chapter 14 - Allport: Psychology of the Individual. Factor Analysis A trait is a basic dimension of personality that accounts for a cluster of related variables. Typically, traits are identified through factor analysis, a statistical technique based on correlations (a correlation is a statistical relationship between two variables). In simplified terms, factor analysis identifies groups of personality characteristics that are highly correlated with one another. For example, characteristics such as social, talkative, and outgoing are highly correlated; through factor analysis, these characteristics can be grouped together into a more basic dimension, extraversion. The illustration to the right provides a visual depiction of factor analysis. The overlap between characteristics shows the correlation; as a group the characteristics cluster together to create a a personality trait (in this example, the trait is introversion). Raymond Cattell Cattell defined a trait as "that which defines what a person will do when faced with a defined situation;" similarly, personality is "that which permits a prediction of what a person will do in a given situation." Personality, then, is based on a collection of traits. But, Cattell differentiated traits even further and distinguished a range of dimensions: Surface versus Source: · Surface traits are the numerous characteristics used to describe personality. · Source traits are the underlying factors that connect various surface traits. Common versus Unique: · Common traits are general traits shared by many people. · Unique traits are traits that are peculiar to a single individual. Temperament versus Motivation versus Ability: · Temperament traits focus on how a person behaves. · Motivation traits traits explain why a person behaves the way they do. · Ability traits refer to the skills or performance abilities. Muc ...

1. Dispositional Theory: Cattell, Eysenck and Allport
Trait theories focus on the description of personality and the
ability to group personality characteristics into a relatively
permanent set of dispositions. Typically, trait theorists spend
little time discussing the motivation, formation, or dynamics of
personality; rather, they are concerned with identifying and
labeling personality characteristics. Unlike previous chapters,
there is not a single theorist who is primarily responsible for
advances in trait theory or our understanding of trait
dimensions. Rather, there are a variety of theorists who have
each contributed to various aspects of trait identification and
factor analysis. View the video "Personality Traits" (text
version) for an overview of trait theory.
This week we will examine the trait theories of Cattell, Eysenck
and Allport. Using different analytical techniques, each theorist
has identified a different set of core personality traits and a
different description of the structure of personality.
To get started, read Chapter 13 - Cattell and Eysenck: Trait and
Factor Theories and Chapter 14 - Allport: Psychology of the
Individual.
Factor Analysis
A trait is a basic dimension of personality that accounts for a
cluster of related variables. Typically, traits are identified
through factor analysis, a statistical technique based on
correlations (a correlation is a statistical relationship between
two variables). In simplified terms, factor analysis identifies
groups of personality characteristics that are highly correlated
with one another. For example, characteristics such as social,
talkative, and outgoing are highly correlated; through factor
analysis, these characteristics can be grouped together into a
more basic dimension, extraversion. The illustration to the right

2. provides a visual depiction of factor analysis. The overlap
between characteristics shows the correlation; as a group the
characteristics cluster together to create a a personality trait (in
this example, the trait is introversion).
Raymond Cattell
Cattell defined a trait as "that which defines what a person will
do when faced with a defined situation;" similarly, personality
is "that which permits a prediction of what a person will do in a
given situation." Personality, then, is based on a collection of
traits. But, Cattell differentiated traits even further and
distinguished a range of dimensions:
Surface versus Source:
· Surface traits are the numerous characteristics used to describe
personality.
· Source traits are the underlying factors that connect various
surface traits.
Common versus Unique:
· Common traits are general traits shared by many people.
· Unique traits are traits that are peculiar to a single individual.
Temperament versus Motivation versus Ability:
· Temperament traits focus on how a person behaves.
· Motivation traits traits explain why a person behaves the way
they do.
· Ability traits refer to the skills or performance abilities.
Much of Cattell's work emphasized the research methods
utilized to identify traits. He introduced two different
techniques for measuring personality: P technique and dR
technique. The P technique examined the correlations between
scores obtained by one person on multiple tests. The dR
technique focused on the correlation of scores between large
groups of people taking multiple tests. Used together, these two
techniques can differentiate traits from states and identify traits
that can be generalized across people. In addition, Cattell
identified three sources of data:

3. Data Source
Description
Example
L data
life record data based on observations of other people
report card, arrest record, tax statement, employment evaluation
Q data
questionnaire data based on self-reported information
personality test, opinion survey, career inventories
T data
test data based on objective measures
intelligence test, reaction time, ability to follow directions
In addition, Cattell created the Sixteen Personality Factor
Questionnaire (16PF), which is still a widely used trait test
today. Through factor analysis, Cattell was able to identify 16
core personality traits which were detailed enough to provide an
individualized picture of personality, yet were broad enough to
be relevant to most populations.
Hans Eysenck
Like Cattell, Eysenck's research relied primarily on factor
analysis. But while Cattell used inductive reasoning in which he
allowed the data to guide the conclusions without the
constraints of a particular theory, Eysenck utilized deductive
reasoning in which he gathered data consistent with a specific
theoretical explanation. Eysenck identified four criteria
necessary for the identification of a factor:
· psychometric evidence - factors must be reliable and
replicable
· heritability - factors are limited to non-learned characteristics
and fit a genetic model
· theoretical framework - factor must be explainable within the
context of a particular theory
· social relevance - factor must have a relationship with issues
of societal importance
In addition, Eysenck highlighted the hierarchical nature of
behaviors in relation to personality types. At the lowest level of

4. the hierarchy are specific thoughts and behaviors; these are
highly dependent upon the situation and may or may not be
representative of personality. Similar, common behaviors group
together to form habits; habits are behaviors that are likely to
appear under similar conditions. Related habits combine to form
traits; traits are relatively permanent ways of thinking, acting
and feeling. At the top of the hierarchy are types; types are
essentially superfactors that include related traits.
Eysenck is most well-known for his three factor theory of
personality. Through factor analysis, Eysenck was able to
identify a core set of superfactors: extraversion, neuroticism
and psychoticism. View the following presentation for a
detailed discussion of these three factors:
· PowerPoint on Eysenck's Personality Factors (If the link does
not work, please go to Doc Sharing to download the powerpoint.
Remember to check out all the notes under each slide. The notes
explain the slides)
Five Factor Model
Most of the current research in trait theory centers around the
Five Factor Model. Expanding on the work of Eysenck, McCrae
and Costa proposed a more comprehensive five factor theory of
personality. The Five Factor Model, also called the Big Five,
consists of a continuum of five core personality factors:
As you can see in the diagram, there are five core personality
dimensions: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion,
agreeableness and neuroticism. Each factor occurs on a
continuum ranging from high to low; every individual possesses
a degree of each of these dimensions somewhere within the
continuum. As such, there is a virtually limitless combination of
trait dimensions. It is through this variability that five core
factors can account for the wide range of personalities found in
the world.
The Five Factor Model has proven to be a reliable measure of
personality across a range of populations and cultures. There

5. are a variety of Big Five tests available on the Internet; to
complete your own trait analysis, try the Five Factor Personality
Test or All About You.
Trait theory provides the basis for the majority of personality
tests used today. Trait inventories are used to predict such
things as marital satisfaction, activity preferences and job
success. View the video "Personality Testing for Career Choice"
(text version) to see how trait inventories are used to assist with
career choice.
Supplemental resources:
· Chapter outline
· PowerPoint review of chapter
Questions for further thought:
· Explain briefly how factor analysis is used to measure
personality traits.
· Describe Cattell's method of data collection and investigation.
· Name and describe Eysenck's three general types, or
superfactors.
Gordon Allport
Allport’s trait theory differs considerably from that of Cattell or
Eysenck. While most trait theories emphasize core traits shared
by the general population, Allport was more interested in the
uniqueness of each individual. As such, Allport defined
personality as “the dynamic organization within the individual
of those psychophysical systems that determine his unique
adjustments to his environment.” This definition highlights five
key factors central to Allport’s philosophy:
conscious motivation
focus on current drives and conscious awareness
psychologically healthy individuals
emphasis on normal, well-developed personalities
proactive behavior
approach to life emphasizing future behaviors and goals

6. uniqueness of each individual
emphasis on aspects of personality that are unique to an
individual rather than shared by the population
eclectic approach toward other theories
acknowledged and recognized the contributions of a variety of
theorists in explaining personality
As indicated in the diagram below, Allport differentiated
between three types of personality traits: common traits,
personal dispositions, and the proprium. Common traits focus
on characteristics shared by many people; Allport had little
interest in common traits and minimized their importance in the
study of personality. Personal dispositions are individual traits;
Allport emphasized the value of personal dispositions in gaining
insight into the unique nature of each person. The proprium is
the unifying force within the personality that contains the
behaviors and characteristics that people regard as central and
important in their lives. View the video "Personality Traits"
(text version) to hear Allport describe his views on the structure
of personality.
Allport believed that personal dispositions were the key to
understanding personality. Personal dispositions are divided
into three levels: cardinal, central and secondary.
Personal Dispositions
Description
Example
cardinal dispostion
Dispositions that are so pervasive they influence virtually every
aspect of one's life; very few people have a cardinal disposition.
Kindness would be a cardinal disposition for Mother Theresa.
central dispostion
The handful of basic dispositions that describe an individual's
character; everyone has 5 to 10 central dispostions.
Bill Clinton's central dispositions might be powerful, outgoing,
social, intelligent, impulsive, competitive, and logical.
secondary disposition

7. The numerous set of situational dispositions includes
preferences and habits; everyone has hundreds of secondary
dispositions.
Secondary dispositions might include things like a preference
for the color red, aggressiveness in sports, and enjoyment of
watching television.
One of the key factors in Allport’s theory of motivation is
functional autonomy. Functional automony refers to the fact
that the motivation that originally is responsible for a
personality trait can change over time. As such, the trait begins
to function independently of the original motive and is
motivated by current factors. This view on motivation is central
to Allport’s belief that current conscious experience is much
more powerful than the past.
While Allport recognized that there are extreme personalities,
he chose to focus on normal, healthy individuals. Allport
believed that it was human nature to continually grow, develop
and strive to seek potential; he defined psychologically healthy
individuals as people who are moving in this direction. The
characteristics of a psychologically healthy individual are
highlighted in the illustration to the right.
Supplemental resources:
· Chapter outline
· PowerPoint review of chapter
Questions for further thought:
· Discuss Allport's concept of personal dispositions and explain
how personal dispositions differ from traits.
· Describe Allport's notion of functional autonomy and give
examples of functionally autonomous behaviors.
· Discuss Allport's concept of the psychologically healthy
personality.