Understanding Psychology (10th Ed)

EVALUATING TRAIT APPROACHES TO PERSONALITY 
Trait approaches have several virtues. They provide a clear, straightforward explana-
tion of people’s behavioral consistencies. Furthermore, traits allow us to readily com-
pare one person with another. Because of these advantages, trait approaches to 
personality have had an important infl uence on the development of several useful 
personality measures (Funder, 1991; Wiggins, 2003; Larsen & Buss, 2006). 
However, trait approaches also have some drawbacks. For example, we have 
seen that various trait theories describing personality come to very different conclu-
sions about which traits are the most fundamental and descriptive. The diffi culty in 
determining which of the theories is the most accurate has led some personality 
psychologists to question the validity of trait conceptions of personality in general. 
Actually, there is an even more fundamental diffi culty with trait approaches. 
Even if we are able to identify a set of primary traits, we are left with little more 
than a label or description of personality—rather than an explanation of behavior. If 
we say that someone who donates money to charity has the trait of generosity, we 
FIGURE 2 
Five broad trait factors, 
referred to as the “Big Five,” are 
considered to be the core of personality. 
(Source: Adapted from Pervin, 1990, Chapter 3, 
and McCrae & Costa, 1986, p. 1002.)
The Big Five Personality Factors and Dimensions of Sample Traits
Openness to experience
Independent—Conforming
Imaginative—Practical
Preference for variety—Preference for routine
Conscientiousness
Careful—Careless
Disciplined—Impulsive
Organized—Disorganized
Extraversion
Talkative—Quiet
Fun-loving—Sober
Sociable—Retiring
Agreeableness
Sympathetic—Fault-fi nding
Kind—Cold
Appreciative—Unfriendly