Author Question: What are the characteristics of traits as summarized by Allport? What will be an ideal ... (Read 93 times)

cookcarl · **on:** Jun 21, 2018

What are the characteristics of traits as summarized by Allport?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

To Allport, the ultimate and necessary goal of life is not to increase tension, as Freud proposed, but rather to decrease tension.

Indicate whether the statement is true or false.

Pswine · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 21, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: Allport summarized the characteristics of traits as follows:
1. Personality traits are real and exist within each of us. They are not theoretical constructs or labels made up to account for behavior.
2. Traits determine or cause behavior. They do not arise only in response to certain stimuli. They motivate us to seek appropriate stimuli, and they interact with the environment to produce behavior.
3. Traits can be demonstrated empirically. By observing behavior over time, we can infer the existence of traits in the consistency of a person's responses to the same or similar stimuli.
4. Traits are interrelated; they may overlap, even though they represent different characteristics. For example, aggressiveness and hostility are distinct but related traits and are frequently observed to occur together in a persons behavior.
5. Traits vary with the situation. For example, a person may display the trait of neatness in one situation and the trait of disorderliness in another situation.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: F
FEEDBACK: To Allport, the ultimate and necessary goal of life is not to reduce tension, as Freud proposed, but rather to increase tension, impelling us to continually seek new sensations and challenges. When we have met one challenge, we are motivated to seek another.