discusses trait theories and the evidence for and against the hypothesis that personality traits are inherited.

Expert Solution

Traits are relatively stable characteristics that cause individual's to behave in a certain manner.

Trait theories of personality are less concerned with the explanation for personality development and changing personality than they are with describing personality and predicting behviour based on that description.

Gordon Allport scanned the dictionary for words that could be traits. He found 18000 words and then paired them down to 200 traits.

Raymond Cattell defined two types of traits which are source traits and surface traits.

Surface traits are the personality characteristics that are easily seen by other people. Source traits are those more basic traits that underlie the surface traits.

Example: shyness, disliking crowds might be surface traits related to the more basic trait of introversion, a tendency to withdraw from excessive stimulation.

Using factor analysis, Cattell discovered 16 source traits. The Sixteen Personality Factor (16 PF) is based on 16 source traits.

Mc Crae & Costa gave the big five factor model of personality , the 5 dimensions were : Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness and Neuroticism.

The field of Behaviour Genetics is devoted to the study of just how much of an individual's personality is due to inherited traits.

Minenesota twin study have revealed that identical twins are more similar than fraternal twins or unrelated people in intelligence, leadership abilities, the tendency to follow rules, and the tendency to uphold traditional cultural expectations ( Bouchard, 1997), nurturance, empathy and assertiveness (Neale et al.,1986). This similarity holds even if the twins are raised apart.

Adoption studies have confirmed what twin studies have shown: Genetic influences account great deal of personality development regardless of shared or non shared environments (Hershberger et al, 1995).

Hayet Jeridi answered 1 year ago

discuss trait theories of personality.

Question 1 (10 marks) Trait theories of leadership can identify specific personality traits that distinguish leaders...

Question 1 Trait theories of leadership can identify specific personality traits that distinguish leaders from non-leaders. They are based on the premise that leaders are 'born, not made' Do you agree with the statement, leaders are born not made? Discuss your choice with an example.

There are a number of different trait theories of personality (Eysenck's PEN model, Cattell's 16 Personality...

There are a number of different trait theories of personality (Eysenck's PEN model, Cattell's 16 Personality Factor, Circumplex Taxonomies of Personality, Five Factor Model, HEXACO). Which one (or ones) do you think is (or are) the most valid? Why? Cite sources where necessary.

Explain how the three main theories of personality (Psychoanalytic, Trait, and Social Learning) describe personality development....

Explain how the three main theories of personality (Psychoanalytic, Trait, and Social Learning) describe personality development. What are the key elements of each theory? Identify which theory you believe best explains personality development and explain why.

Apply your knowledge of dispositional and biological personality trait theories to respond to the following examples...

Apply your knowledge of dispositional and biological personality trait theories to respond to the following examples in 200–300 total words: You have been invited to interview for a position as a salesperson in a retail store. Explain how well you would fit this role by describing your personality to the hiring manager. You are considering a position as a bookkeeper for a small accounting firm. How well would your personality fare in this environment? Include at least one biological factor...

Psychologists have identified five main personality traits, often called the "Big Five" or the five-trait model....

Psychologists have identified five main personality traits, often called the "Big Five" or the five-trait model. Think about the "Big Five" personality traits we studied in class. Then select a real or fictional character from literature, film, television, or public life. How could the "Big Five" model be used to understand the character's personality? In a multi-paragraph essay, explain what is meant by a "personality trait" according to the "Big Five" model, define each of the "Big Five" traits, and...

The _______ is usually the hypothesis that the researcher wants to gather evidence against. null...

The _______ is usually the hypothesis that the researcher wants to gather evidence against. null hypothesis alternative hypothesis one-tailed hypothesis two-tailed test of hypothesis The _______ is usually the hypothesis for which the researcher wants to gather supporting evidence. one-tailed test of hypothesis null hypothesis two-tailed test of hypothesis alternative hypothesis

You are examining two traits of a plant called Trait A and Trait B. Each trait...

You are examining two traits of a plant called Trait A and Trait B. Each trait is associated with a different gene on a different chromosome. Trait A shows: the same phenotype for both the heterozygous and homozygous dominant allele combinations a different phenotype for the homozygous recessive allele combination. Trait B shows: three different phenotypes, each associated with only one of the three possible allele combinations. A) Describe the type of inheritance associated with Trait A and describe the...

Efficient Market Hypothesis. Semi-strong: evidence for and against (anomalies etc.)

Describe similarities amongst these personality theories: Freud and being-freudians, trait theory, learning theory, and humanistic theory

Question