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 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 * 2 .1

* 3 .75

-.19

* 4 -.05

.52

.17

* 5 .03

.61

0 .71

* 6 .12

-.07

.11

.09

.16

* 7 0 -.08

.08

.04

.09

.59

*

Hypothetical Factor Loadings

Factor Item 1 Item 2 Item 3 Item 4 Item 5 Item 6 Item 7 A .62

.03

.54

.10

.07

-.02

.22

B .15

-.08

.04

.11

.08

.66

.48

C .01

.49

-.20

.56

.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. Neuroticism 2. Extraversion 3. Openness to Experience 4. Agreeableness 5. 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.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

•

Anxiety

• – sense of danger or threat Tense, jittery, nervous …calm, fearless

Anger Depression

• – feel sad, dejected, low Lack energey, feel dejected….free from depressive feelings

Self-consciousness

• – sensitive to what others think of them feel uncomfortable around others, easily embarrassed….don’t feel discomfort in social situations, don’t fear being judged by others

Immoderation Vulnerability

– strong cravings and urges that are hard to resist – 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 people…distant and reserved

Gregariousness

• Enjoy being around others, like crowds…need more privacy and time to self, dislike crowds

Assertievness

• Like to speak out, take charge, leaders…let others control group direction

Activity Level

• Much action, energetic, quick…slower paced, less activity

Excitement-Seeking

• Easily bored, seek thrills…unlikely to take risks, adverse to thrill seeking

Cheerfulness

• High on positive emotions such as happiness, optimism, enthusiasm, and joy…low scores don’t’ 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 • Fantasy…fact Artistic Interests • Love beauty, aesthetics…not interested in arts Emotionality • Awareness of and expression of feelings…less aware and expressive Adventurousness • Like new activities, experience different things…prefer familiar things Intellect • Like to play with ideas…prefer concrete things over ideas Liberalism • Challenge authority and convention…prefer conventional approaches

Conscientiousness

• Deliberate in actions, controlled, planful • Low: impulsive

Conscientiousness Facets

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

Agreeableness

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

Agreeableness Facets

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

Integration with other trait theories

1.

Eysenck’s theory: 2. Similar structure to Eysenck 3.

Cattell’s 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