Trait Theory of Personality

The Trait Theory of Personality suggests that individual personalities are composed of broad dispositions. The primary focus of the trait theory of personality is to identify and measure individual personality characteristics. A trait is thought of a stable characteristic that causes individuals to behave in a certain manner.

Cardinal Traits are traits that hold significant dominance over a person's personality, to the point that the individual becomes known for these traits. They are rare and develop later in life, and take over the individual's personality. Central Traits are general characteristics that form the base of one's personality. Although they are not as dominant as Cardinal Traits, they are a mayor characteristic for a person. They are the characteristics you might use to describe an individual with, such as intelligent, frank, serious or honest. Secondary Traits are related to the attitudes and preferences of an individual. They usually appear in certain situations and under specific circumstances. The differences between these traits implies how much power a trait holds over an individual. The most common criticisms to the trait theory are that we cannot use it to predict one's future behavior, and its role holds no explanation of a personality's development, and does not consider the change of negative aspects of a trait. Hence, without understanding how a trait develops, we cannot possibly know how to change it, and change our behavior.

On the other hand we have the Five Factor Model of Personality. It claims that much of what we need to know about an individual's personality can be captured by their standing on the five measurable personality factors or traits. The five factors of this model are openness to experience, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Openness to experience is considered in the means of intuitive and curious vs. consistent and cautious. Typically individuals that score low on the scale are considered  to be down to earth and practical. They hold traditional beliefs and are sometimes described as "plain and straight forward". On the other hand, high scorers are considered to be imaginative and creative, open to experience and sensitive to beauty.

Conscientiousness is considered to hold efficient and organized vs. easygoing and careless. Low scorers are said to be easygoing, unreliable and sloppy. They are described as spontaneous and care free. High scorers are considered organized, tidy and striving. They are self disciplined, dutiful and aim for achievement. Extroversion is the scale between people who are outgoing and energetic, compared to those who are solitary and reserved. People that score low on this scale are reserved, serious and passive. They are often described as "low-key" and deliberate. On the other end, high scorers are usually outgoing, active and sociable. They are engaged in the external world and enthusiastic. Agreeableness considers the tendency to be compassionate and cooperative. Low scorers are hostile, selfish and cold. They are considered to hold self interest over getting along with others, and are less likely to extend themselves to other people. Individuals with high scores are said to be kind, trusting, warm and altruistic. They value getting along with others and hold an optimistic view on human nature. The last trait is neuroticism, which measures how likely you are to experience negative emotions. People who score low  are relaxed and even tempered. They are said to be less likely to get upset, calm and emotionally stable. High scorers are considered emotional, moody and impulsive. They are more susceptible to stress, and their negative mood lasts for a longer time. This scale represents two extremes, and most people fall somewhere in between the two polar ends of each dimension.  Two strengths of McCrae and Costa's five factor model of personality is their objectivity and easy use and understanding. McCrae and his colleagues have also found that the big five traits are remarkably universal. One study that looked at people from more then fifty different cultures found that the theories dimensions could be accurately used to describe the participant's personality. Another food trail of the big five is that it provides an easy continuum with a great deal of information with regards to one's personality, interactions, and beliefs about their self as well as the world.