Author Question: Describe the three basic assumptions of the trait approach to personality, and explain the ... (Read 139 times)

jeatrice · **on:** Jun 19, 2018

Describe the three basic assumptions of the trait approach to personality, and explain the difference between a type and a trait.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

When describing your best friend, you first note that she is honest. How would this characteristic be explained from three different theoretical perspectives?

What will be an ideal response?

Eunice618 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANSWER:
The trait approach assumes that (1) personality traits are stable and predictable; (2) traits are stable across situations; and (3) there are individual differences among people in the degree to which they possess a particular personality trait. Thus traits are viewed as stable, internal characteristics of the individual. Types, on the other hand, are categories into which one can classify individuals. To be useful, the number of types must be relatively small and usually based on distinctive patterns of characteristics possessed by the people assigned to a type. Type theories have fallen into disfavor among many psychologists, while trait theories are still actively considered to be plausible.

Answer to Question 2

ANSWER:
The psychodynamic approach would suggest that the woman has a well-developed superego and that her id is subordinate to her ego and superego. The trait approach would suggest that one of your friend's traits is honesty. Allport might even call it a cardinal trait. The behavioral approach would suggest that your friend was rewarded for honesty and has been taught through past experience that honesty is rewarding whereas dishonesty is not. The humanistic psychology approach would suggest that your friend's perception of reality has guided her toward honesty. She perceives others as honest, and she wishes to be honest as well.