Factor-Analytic Trait Models of Personality - Essay Example

 Factor-Analytic Trait Models of Personality The Pen, Big Five and 16PF models of personality are factor-analytic trait theories, emphasizing a surface-oriented approach to personality. These models tend to describe the concrete conscious aspects of personality in simple terms such as “ambitiousness” or “friendship”, while abstract and unconscious explanations of human behavior are deemphasized. Another common feature of the models is that they are based on empirical research and not on clinical observation. The three models emerged on the basis of trait theory, created by Gordon W. Allport as a reaction against Freud’s excessive emphasis on hidden motifs of humans. Trait theorists view personality as “an organizing force within the individual” determining “characteristic patterns of behavior, thinking and feeling. These patterns take a form of traits, their combination creating a unique set, which is called a personality. People are motivated by their desire to reduce drive or to find drive increase. Trait theorists tend to believe that unconscious mechanisms should be analyzed only in unhealthy personalities (Ewen 2003, p.257). The PEN, Big Five and 16PF are the best known factor-analytic trait theories. These models of personality are also called structural, while they assume that “there is a hierarchy of traits with each level accounting for a certain level generality/specificity in personality”, and try to “reconcile the nomothetic and idiographic descriptions of personality” (Lecture 4 2006). Structural models distinguish five levels of personality: 1) type (introvert or extravert); 2) dimensional (degree of introversion-extraversion), 3) traits (degree of sociability and impulsivity); 4) habits (liking for social events); and 5) specific responses (liking for birthday parties) (Lecture 4 2006).The objectives of the three models are similar. All of them are aimed at determining “which of the thousands of traits are most important by using the statistical technique of factor analysis” and making psychology more scientific and mathematical. All the three are based on vast empirical research (Ewen 2003, p.282). All the three models have application in psychotherapy. Hans Eysenck’s theory of three dimensions or supertraits was developed during the Second World War, based on the analysis of 700 hospitalized soldiers’ responses to a medical questionnaire. Arguing for a hierarchical organization of personality, Eysenck initially proposed two dimensions of introversion-extraversion and neuroticism-stability, with psychoticism being added in 1952. Eysenck’s theory represents “a continuum view of normality/abnormality with mental illness occurring at the extremes of the personality traits” (Lecture 4 2006). Introversion-extraversion supertrait represents a continuum with a person scoring anywhere along the scale. “[The extraverted individual is] outgoing, impulsive, and uninhibited, having many social contacts and frequently taking part in group activities. [He] is sociable, likes parties, has many friends, needs to have people to talk to, and does not like reading or studying by himself. [Conversely, the introverted individual] is a quiet, retiring sort of person, introspective, fond of books rather than people; he is reserved and distant except to intimate friends” (Eysenck & Eysenck, 1968, p. 6. In Ewen 2003, p.300). Eysenck believed that variations in introversion-extraversion were based on heredity and studied biological correlates of personality. He concluded that more extraverted individuals search for external stimulation because they want to increase their low levels of cerebral cortex arousal, while more introverted individuals avoid crowds and noise because of high levels of cortical arousal which becomes painful if increased. People with high scores in neuroticism are emotionally unstable, whereas those with low neuroticism scores tend to be calm and even-tempered, experience less swings in emotion or overact disappointment and frustration. People with high psychoticism scores are usually egocentric and think that the world is turning around them. They can be impersonal, aggressive, lack concern of other people’s rights and feelings (Ewen 2003, p.300). Neuroticism takes different forms for healthy extroverts and introverts. Basing his theory on extensive empirical research, Eysenck focuses on fundamental traits and his model has common traits with other theories: Jung’s construct of introversion–extraversion, neuroticism in the “Big Five” theory and such Cattellian traits as ego strength and ergic tension. Eysenck’s three supertraits are not sufficient (Ewen 2003, 301). In contrast to the PEN model, the 16PF model created by Raymond Cattell after the World War II contains a large number of traits to provide a better representation of personality. Unlike Eysenck and Allport, Cattell p[aid attention to some hidden motifs of individuals. Cattell believed that human behavior is guided by dynamic traits, including 16 innate ergs (from the Greek ergon for work or energy) and numerous leant sentiments (behavioral patterns) and attitudes (specific tendencies and actions), serving the objectives of egrs, individual’s motivational structure (dynamic lattice) involving interconnected subsidation chains (the relationship between an attitude, sentiment, and erg), “some of which may “go underground” at some point and involve aspects that are unconscious” (Ewen 2003, p.287). Personality structure is defined in terms of temperament and ability traits determining the style and effectiveness of individuals’ actions. 16 personality factors are: A. Afectia-Sizia or Warmth (Reserved/Outgoing); B. Intelligence or Reasoning (Less Intelligent/More Intelligent); C. Ego Strength or Emotional Stability (Affected by feelings/Emotionally stable); E. Dominance- Submissiveness (Humble/Assertive); F. Surgency–Desurgency or Liveliness (Sober/Happy-go-lucky; G. Superego Strength or Rule Consciousness (Expedient/Conscientious); H. Parmia–Threctia or Social Boldness (Shy/Venturesome); I. Premsia–Harria or Sensitivity (Tough-minded/Tender-minded); L. Protension–Alaxia or Vigilance (Trusting/Suspicious); M. Autia-Praxernia or Abstractedness (Practical/Imaginative); N. Shrewdness-Artlessness or Privateness (Straightforward/Shrewd); O. Guilt Proneness–Untroubled Adequacy or Apprehension (Self-Assured/Apprehensive); Q1. Radicalism-Conservatism or Openness to Change (Conservative/Experimenting); Q2. Self-Sufficiency–Group Adherence or Self-Reliance (Group-dependent/Self-sufficient); Q3. Self–Sentiment Strength or Perfectionism (Self-conflict/Self-control); Q4. Ergic Tension or Tension (Relaxed/Tense), where the four latest were potential traits. Knowing numerical measures of each structural trait of a given individual, it is possible to predict one’s behavior using appropriate specification equations. Cattell studied heredity vs. environment, and cam to a conclusion that various structural traits follow various developmental patterns from childhood through adulthood (Ewen 2003, p.303). Though it is controversial whether human behavior can be measured with mathematical precision, though Cattell’s constructs and nomenclature have not had much impact on the field of psychology, the 16 personality factors distinguished by him ‘represent a potentially valuable set of dimensions for describing and studying the human personality’ (Ewen 2003, 304). The Big Five of Five Factor Model was developed by various researchers on the basis of factor-analytic studies. The five factors are: “Introversion–extraversion: Aloof and retiring versus sociable and talkative (as in Jung's and Eysenck's theories). Neuroticism: Calm and secure versus nervous and insecure (as in Eysenck's theory). Agreeableness: Suspicious and uncooperative versus trusting and helpful. Conscientiousness: Lazy and unreliable versus hardworking and reliable. Openness to experience: Conventional and down-to-earth versus nonconformist and creative” (Ewen 2003, p.301). Though not all the research on this model demonstrated the same results, there are numerous evidences in support of this model. The traits described in the model have been found strongly consistent especially among adults over thirty years old. The Big Five model has been dominating personality psychology. Its popularity can be explained by the fact that it combines elements of both Eysenck’s and Cattell’s models, making the first be more comprehensive and the second less overwhelming. Unlike Cattell’s theory the Big Five model provides information only of the surface levels of personality and doesn’t explain human behavior (Ewen 2003, p.302). The three models discussed have much in common. Basing on vast empirical research and factor analysis, there authors tried to create strictly scientific instruments for measuring and predicting human behavior. However, factor analysis does not automatically reveal the entire truth about the human personality. All the three models use self-reported questionnaire as an assessment instrument. However, response sets such as acquiescence (a tendency to agree or disagree with questions regardless of content), central tendency (a tendency to cluster responses in the middle), extremity tendency (vice versa), social desirability, and response distortions (attempts to manipulate their scores by answering in a certain way) affect the validity (Lecture 4 2006). Eysenck’s and Cattell’s theories examine heredity and biology as grounds for personality development. Cattell’s theory studies both conscious and uncurious motifs. The models differ in the number of personality traits distinguished. While Eysenck’s three supertraits are not sufficient, Cattell’s 16 ergs may be viewed as overwhelming. Five factors of the currently most popular Big Five model, however, do not explain “underground” motifs of human behavior. The pairs of introversion-extraversion or neuroticism-stability can be found in all the three models. The remaining three pairs of the Big Five model claim to generalize the ergs of the 16PF model, distinguishing the most fundamental of traits. On the other hand, the 16PF represents a more complete instrument for measuring personality. References: Ewen, Robert (2003). An Introduction to Theories of Personality. Sixth Edition. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 468 ps. Lecture 4: Structural Models of Personality. Handout. May 04, 2006. Retrieved February 08, 2008 from http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/psycho/teaching/docfiles/pit-handout4-05-06.doc. Read More