Trait theory
Stable attributes framework
Trait theory is a psychological approach that explains personality through stable, measurable characteristics—traits—that vary in degree from person to person.
Rather than categorizing people into types, trait theory maps individuals along dimensions like extraversion, openness, or conscientiousness.
The Big Five model is its most influential framework.
Her research applies trait theory to predict workplace performance.
Orientation toward outer world
- neuroticismProneness to negative emotions
- opennessQuality of being accessible
- agreeablenessPleasant, cooperative nature
- conscientiousnessCareful attention to duty
temperament · disposition · introversion · stability · characteristic · individual differences · predisposition
Psychological measurement science
- Big FivePremier grouping of five
- questionnaireFormal inquiry form
- MMPIPsychiatric assessment questionnaire
- self-reportInformation one provides themselves
rating scale · validity · reliability · standardization · measurement
Romance-language coast
- interactionismTheory of mutual social influence
- heritabilityGenetic share of variation
- behavioral geneticsStudy of inherited behavioral traits
- twin studiesResearch comparing identical siblings
extraversion
Orientation toward outer world
- neuroticismProneness to negative emotions
- opennessQuality of being accessible
- agreeablenessPleasant, cooperative nature
conscientiousness · temperament · disposition · introversion · stability · characteristic · individual differences · predisposition
psychometrics
Psychological measurement science
- Big FivePremier grouping of five
- questionnaireFormal inquiry form
- MMPIPsychiatric assessment questionnaire
self-report · rating scale · validity · reliability · standardization · measurement
Costa
Romance-language coast
- interactionismTheory of mutual social influence
- heritabilityGenetic share of variation
- behavioral geneticsStudy of inherited behavioral traits
Trait theorygrowth mindset
Belief abilities improve through effort
trait, traits, theory, theories, theorize, theorized, theorizing, theorist, theorists