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Cattell’s trait theory of personality

  • The scientific analysis of personality: factor analysis
    • understanding as reflecting prediction
    • surface and source traits
    • aspects of personality
      • personality traits
      • ability traits
      • dynamic (motivational) traits
  • Cattell’s method and model
  • measurement of the normal personality
    • 16PF Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire, 5th Edition
    • (Measure of 15 temperament and 1 ability traits which Dr. Cattell believed captured basic human personality. The traits identified as Q (1 – 4) only showed up in questionnaire self-report, as opposed to ratings by others. Traits were labeled with letters, missing letters were not found to be stable in subsequent research [some are found on the adolescent High School Personality Questionnaire]. The traits were identified by oblique factor analysis, which allowed for the further identification of broad, “second-order” factors.)
      • A Warmth
      • B Intelligence (ability trait)
      • C Emotional Stability
      • E Dominance
      • F Impulsivity
      • G Conformity
      • H Boldness
      • I Sensitivity
      • L Suspiciousness
      • M Imagination
      • N Shrewdness
      • O Insecurity
      • Q1 Radicalism
      • Q2 Self-Sufficiency
      • Q3 Self-Discipline
      • Q4 Tension
    • Second-Order Factors
      • Extraversion
      • Anxiety
      • Tough Poise
      • Independence
  • Extension of the model into psychological maladjustment
    • CAQ Clinical Analysis Questionnaire
    • (Measure of 7 depressive traits and 5 general psychopathology traits identified from the MMPI item pool. Inclusion of the CAQ items increased the number of second-order factors extracted to 9.)
      • D1 Hypochondriasis
      • D2 Suicidal Depression
      • D3 Agitation
      • D4 Anxious Depression
      • D5 Low Energy Depression
      • D6 Guilt and Resentment
      • D7 Boredom and Withdrawal
      • Pa Paranoia
      • Pp Psychopathic Deviation
      • Sc Schizophrenia
      • As Psychasthenia
      • Ps Psychological Inadequacy
  • Ability traits
    • intelligence
      • crystallized intelligence
      • fluid intelligence
        • Factor B on the 16PF and other Cattell tests
        • Culture Fair Intelligence Test
  • Dynamic (motivational) traits
    • MAT Motivational Analysis Test
      • (Measure of dynamic [need and press] traits identified in factor analysis of several different tasks designed to elicit motivational disposition. Although never as commercially successful or theoretically influential as the other elements of his system, Cattell believed that the combined consideration of temperamental traits, ability traits, and motivational traits gave the fullest and most complete picture of human personality—and allowed for the most accurate and detailed predictions across a wide range of outcomes.
    • erg: dynamic, constitutional source traits (functions similar to drives, needs, or instincts in other theories); these could vary in intensity and were unlearned
      • ergs caused selective perception
      • ergs stimulated emotional responses to certain stimuli (objects or thoughts of objects)
      • ergs stimulated goal-directed behavior
      • egrs lead to some type of consummatory response
        • Cattell identified 11 ergs:
          • curiosity
          • sex
          • gregariousness
          • protection
          • self-assertion
          • security
          • hunger
          • anger
          • disgust
          • appeal
          • self-submission
      • metaergs were dynamic source traits that were learned (environmental origin)
      • sentiments
        • The self-sentiment was, for Cattell, the most powerful sentiment and organized the entire personality; this was our self-concept and provided stability, coherence, and organization to the expression of the source traits, ergs, and sentiments
      • attitudes
        • derived from sentiments: specific interests, of a certain intensity, in doing something with a certain stimulus in a certain situation
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