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 many traits?

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

Factor analysis method

1. Collect measurements 2. Compute correlations matrix 3. Factor extraction (reduce to underlying dimensions) 4. Compute factor loadings 5. Name the factors

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 of hand. 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.

Hypothetical correlation matrix

Item 1 1 * 2 .1 3 .75 4 -.05 5 .03 6 .12 7 0

2
3 4

-.19
*

.52
.17 *

.61
0 .71

-.07
.11 .09

-.08
.08 .04

5
6 7

.16
*

.09
.59 *

Hypothetical Factor Loadings

Factor Item 1 A .62 B .15 C .01

Item 2
Item 3 Item 4

.03
.54 .10

-.08
.04 .11

.49
-.20 .56

Item 5
Item 6 Item 7

.07
-.02 .22

.08
.66 .48

.45
.12 .06

Implications
Garbage in, garbage out Missing info. may mean missing factors
E.g. Escape: smoking, drinking, eating, daydreaming about vacation, etc.

Importance of names of factors

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

Big Five (Costa & McCrae)

Five basic dimensions that are very broad 6 facets within each dimension (which are more specific

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Neuroticism Extraversion Openness to Experience Agreeableness Conscientiousness

Neuroticism
Tendency to experience negative (unpleasant) feelings Emotionally reactive, intense On other end: calm, emotionally stable, free from persistent negative feelings

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

2. 3.
4. 5. 6.

Anger Depression feel sad, dejected, low

Lack energey, feel dejected.free from depressive feelings feel uncomfortable around others, easily embarrassed.dont feel discomfort in social situations, dont fear being judged by others

Self-consciousness sensitive to what others think of them Immoderation strong cravings and urges that are hard to resist Vulnerability susceptibility to stress
Feel panic, helpless under pressure.feel poised, confident under pressure

Extraversion
Enjoy being with others High energy Tendency to experience positive emotions Low scorers:
Quiet, less engaged in social world NOT shyness or depression

Extraversion Facets
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Friendliness like others and easily reach out to other peopledistant and reserved Gregariousness Enjoy being around others, like crowdsneed more privacy and time to self, dislike crowds Assertievness Like to speak out, take charge, leaderslet others control group direction Activity Level Much action, energetic, quickslower paced, less activity Excitement-Seeking Easily bored, seek thrillsunlikely to take risks, adverse to thrillseeking Cheerfulness High on positive emotions such as happiness, optimism, enthusiasm, and joylow scores dont experience as much joy (but NOT depressed)

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

Openness Facets
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Imagination
Fantasyfact Love beauty, aestheticsnot interested in arts Awareness of and expression of feelingsless aware and expressive Like new activities, experience different thingsprefer familiar things

Artistic Interests Emotionality Adventurousness

Intellect

Like to play with ideasprefer concrete things over ideas

Challenge authority and conventionprefer conventional approaches

Liberalism

Conscientiousness
Deliberate in actions, controlled, planful Low: impulsive

Conscientiousness Facets
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Self-efficacy Orderliness Dutifulness Achievement Striving Self-discipline Cautiousness

Agreeableness
Social harmony, ability to get along with others Low: mistrustful of others, difficulty getting along with others

Agreeableness Facets
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Trust Morality Altruism Cooperation Modesty Sympathy

Integration with other trait theories

1. Eysencks theory: 2. Similar structure to Eysenck 3. Cattells 16 PF scales map on

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