TRAIT MODEL OF PERSONALITY
The Trait Model of Personality
A trait is a unit of analysis used to describe, explain, and predict human thought and behaviour (Lecci, 2015). Traits are the building blocks of personality. The earliest contributors to the trait personality model include Hippocreates & Galen, Carl June, and Gordin Allport. This text traces the development of personality theory, with specific reference to Eysencks three-factor model. It also discusses the five personality areas of the Big Five models and uses the results to assess personality.
Eysencks Three Factor Theory
Personality models are among the earliest forms of psychology theories. Throughout history, personality theories have evolved as theorists attempt to build the most plausible bases for understanding the foundation of an individuals personality. The earliest documented works related personality to internal balances within the humors system and the central nervous system, both of which limited quantitative measurement (Lecci, 2015).
Hans Eysenck was among the greatest contributors in the field of personality psychology. He believed that biological factors underlie all human traits (Allemand, Steiger & Hill, 2013). As such, all individuals inherit a type of nervous system that influences how they learn and adapt to the environment. Eysenck viewed people as having three personality dimensions: introversion vs. extroversion, stability vs. neuroticism, and socialization vs. psychoticism (Kussner, 2017; Lecci, 2015). Each aspect of personality can be traced to a different biological cause. For instance, Eysenck believed that extroversion was caused by differences in cortical arousal, with introverts having a lower activity level than extroverts in this area. Neuroticism, on the other hand, was attributed to differences in the limbic system, which is the part of the brain involved in motivation, emotion, and emotional association with memory.
Eysenck posits that an individuals personality is influenced by the balance between inhibition and excitation processes of the autonomic nervous system (Kussner, 2017). According to the theory, extroverted people are outgoing, sociable, and readily connect with others, while introverts have a higher need to be alone and to engage in solitary behavior (Lecci, 2015). In the stability/neuroticism dimension, people high on neuroticism are anxious and tend to go into a fight reaction mode even with low levels of stress, while those high on stability are more emotionally-stable. In the socialization/psychoticism dimension, people high on socialization have high impulse control and are more cooperative and altruistic, while those high on psychoticism are more antisocial, impulsive, cold, and independent thinkers. Eysencks theory was an improvement on the earlier personality trait approaches as it was more quantifiable psychological theories have been criticized for not being empirically verifiable (McCrae, 2011). However, the theory has been superseded by newer theories such as the Five Factor Model (McCrae, 2011).
Differences between Eysencks Theory and Psychodynamic Theory
Eysencks theory of personality shares some similarities with Sigmund Freuds psychodynamic theory of personality. The psychodynamic theory assumes that there is an interaction between innate instincts (nature) and parental influences (nurture). Both models theorize a high-level mental mechanism that either requires the satisfaction of sexual desires (Freud) or stimulation of arousal needs. The psychodynamic model is founded on the sexual desire principle, which is innate and demands instant gratification in an individual (Nettle, 2009). As such, the individual under the psychodynamic model is driven by unconscious processes influenced by sex, and...
…slightly above average I am a bit cooperative and affectionate. However, this may not be the case with all people and under all circumstances. I am particularly harsh with strangers and people that I find unpleasant.
Neuroticism
This factor trait is characterized by emotional instability, moodiness, and sadness (Nettle, 2009). Individuals high on neuroticism experience sadness, irritability, anxiety, and mood swings, while those on the lower end of the spectrum are more emotionally stable and resilient. I scored a low 21 percent on neuroticism, implying that I am less likely to experience negative emotions and unlikely to react to a situation in sadness, anger, and fear. However, I would say that this highly depends on the specific situation and the nature of the audience. For instance, I tend to respond with fear and anger when faced with frustrating situations. As such, I would not say that I am a consistent low scorer in neuroticism because I tend to treat people the same way they treat me. For instance, I am usually more sensitive with people who treat me well.
Conclusion
This text summarizes the concepts and assumptions of Freuds psychodynamic theory and Eysencks personality theory. The fundamental differences between the two models lie in the inheritability of personality traits and the causes of personality differences. Eysenck assumes that ones personality is driven by brain arousal needs, while psychodynamic theory argues that the same is driven by unconscious processes. Further, Eysenck assumes that personality is in-born, while Freuds psychodynamic theory assumes that personality is shaped in early childhood, particularly through parental influence. The Big Five personality test conducted showed that I am a high scorer in conscientiousness and…
