IGNOU : M.COM : MCO 1 : UNIT 8 : Q - 1. What are the propositions of Trait theories? Explain Cattel’s Trait theory.

 

Ans. PERSONALITY TRAITS

Identification of personality is closely associated with the identification of traits. It is based on the proposition that personality is a culmination of whole person. Traits are combination of actions and reactions of an individual. It can be understood as relatively distinguishable characteristics that describe behaviour. Let us learn personality traits and types in detail.

Personality Traits

1) Allport’s Trait Theory: Gordon Allport has identified a number of traits to describe complex behaviour of human personality. He classified traits into two categories. Common traits and Personal dispositions.

While common traits are used to compare people, personal dispositions are unique and the most pervasive attributes describing the complexity of human personality. For providing comparison, six distinguishing trait orientations are used. They are social, political, economical, aesthetic, religious and theoretical. For instance social traits emphasises love and affection, care and interest on others and expression of sympathy. Political trait is related to power consciousness. While economic traits place emphasis on practical approach and cost and benefits of situation, aesthetic trait is concerned with creative and artistic aspects. Whereas, religious trait is related to unity and integrity. On the other hand, theoretical trait consists of use of rationality and empirical approach. A person possessing theoretical trait is characterised by the discoverer of critical truth.

 

2) Cattel’s Trait Theory: Cattels’ theory has developed on a new approach. The traits are identified into two categories. Surface traits and Source traits. Surface traits are visible outside and appear on the surface of personality. They are determined largely by underlying source traits. While source trait is a cause, surface trait is effect. Surface trait is symptom of source trait. Trait theories have recognised the continuity of personality. The theories have shown the utility of quantitative application in behavioural sciences. They have great deal of intuitive appeal.