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Traits, Five Factor Model

Based on lexical approach

Important individual differences among people

will have names

Should be words describing the same traits in

different languages if there are common traits

In English over 5000 words

Can a few dimensions capture these manytraits?

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Factor analysis

Statistical tool used to reduce large

amounts of data to smaller underlying

dimensions

Looks at patterns of co-variation

Method is important because it impacts

findings

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Factor analysis method

1. Collect measurements

2. Compute correlations matrix

3. Factor extraction (reduce to underlyingdimensions)

4. Compute factor loadings

5. Name the factors

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Example: How people cope with

stress How much did you do ______ during your most recent

stressful event? Or rate each item:

1. Took action quickly, before things could get out ofhand.

2. Refused to believe it was real. 3. Did something concrete to make the situation better.

4. Tried to convince myself that it wasn=t happening.

5. Went on thinking that things were just like they were.

6. Changed or grew as a person in a new way. 7. Tried to look at the bright side.

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Hypothetical correlation matrix

Item 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

1 * .1 .75 -.05 .03 .12 0

2 * -.19 .52 .61 -.07 -.08

3 * .17 0 .11 .08

4 * .71 .09 .04

5 * .16 .096 * .59

7 *

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Hypothetical Factor Loadings

Factor A B C

Item 1 .62 .15 .01

Item 2 .03 -.08 .49

Item 3 .54 .04 -.20

Item 4 .10 .11 .56

Item 5 .07 .08 .45Item 6 -.02 .66 .12

Item 7 .22 .48 .06

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Implications

Garbage in, garbage out

Missing info. may mean missing factorsE.g. Escape: smoking, drinking, eating,

daydreaming about vacation, etc.

Importance of names of factors

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Big Five/Five-Factor Model

Emerging consensus that 5 dimensions

capture important pieces of personality

Based on:1. Diverse samples of data

2. Different measures

3. Multiple cultures and languages

Still some disagreement about What the

factors are

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Big Five (Costa & McCrae)

Five basic dimensions that are very broad

6 facets within each dimension (which aremore specific

1. Neuroticism

2. Extraversion

3. Openness to Experience

4. Agreeableness

5. Conscientiousness

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Neuroticism

Tendency to experience negative

(unpleasant) feelings

Emotionally reactive, intense

On other end: calm, emotionally stable,free from persistent negative feelings

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Neuroticism Facets

1. Anxiety sense of danger or threat Tense, jittery, nervous calm, fearless

2. Anger

3. Depression feel sad, dejected, low Lack energey, feel dejected.free from depressive feelings

4. Self-consciousness sensitive to what others think of them feel uncomfortable around others, easily embarrassed.dont feeldiscomfort in social situations, dont fear being judged by others

5. Immoderation strong cravings and urges that are hard to resist

6. Vulnerability susceptibility to stress Feel panic, helpless under pressure.feel poised, confident under

pressure

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Extraversion

Enjoy being with others

High energy

Tendency to experience positive emotions

Low scorers:

Quiet, less engaged in social world NOT shyness or depression

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Extraversion Facets

1. Friendliness

like others and easily reach out to other peopledistant andreserved

2. Gregariousness

Enjoy being around others, like crowdsneed more privacy andtime to self, dislike crowds

3. Assertievness Like to speak out, take charge, leaderslet others control group

direction

4. Activity Level

Much action, energetic, quickslower paced, less activity

5. Excitement-Seeking

Easily bored, seek thrillsunlikely to take risks, adverse to thrill-seeking

6. Cheerfulness

High on positive emotions such as happiness, optimism,enthusiasm, and joylow scores dont experience as much joy(but NOT depressed)

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Openness To Experience

Most disagreement about what this factor

is and what to call it.

Imaginative, intellectually curious,

sensitive to aesthetics and feelings .

Down to earth, practical,conventional

Not a measure of intelligence

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Openness Facets

1. Imagination Fantasyfact

2. Artistic Interests Love beauty, aestheticsnot interested in arts

3. Emotionality Awareness of and expression of feelingsless aware and

expressive

4. Adventurousness Like new activities, experience different thingsprefer familiar

things

5. Intellect Like to play with ideasprefer concrete things over ideas6. Liberalism

Challenge authority and conventionprefer conventionalapproaches

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Conscientiousness

Deliberate in actions, controlled, planful

Low: impulsive

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Conscientiousness Facets

1. Self-efficacy

2. Orderliness

3. Dutifulness4. Achievement Striving

5. Self-discipline

6. Cautiousness

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Agreeableness

Social harmony, ability to get along with

others

Low: mistrustful of others, difficulty getting

along with others

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Agreeableness Facets

1. Trust

2. Morality

3. Altruism4. Cooperation

5. Modesty

6. Sympathy

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Integration with other trait theories

1. Eysencks theory:

2. Similar structure to Eysenck

3. Cattells 16 PF scales map on

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Longitudinal Stability

1. Good evidence for stability over long periods in

adulthood

2. Small but sign. age effects:

Older adults lower on N, E, and O Older adults higher on C and A

Cohort effect?

Some occur across cultures: C increases with age

3. Temperamental characteristics develop into E

and N