Trait theory, also called dispositional theory, is an approach to the study of human personality centered on measuring traits, defined as habitual patterns of behavior, thought and emotion. Traits are held to be aspects of personality that are relatively stable over time, differ across individuals, are relatively consistent over situations and influence behavior, in contrast to states, which are more transitory dispositions; a trait such as extraversion versus introversion is measured on a spectrum with each person placed somewhere along it. Trait theorists debate whether traits are internal causal properties that lead people to act in line with them, or purely descriptive summaries of behavior that make no claim about causing it. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Facts
Core ClaimTrait theory holds that personality can be described and measured through stable traits, such as extraversion versus introversion, that differ across individuals and remain fairly consistent across situations. 1 Connections
Associated With
Dimensional models of personality disorders, including the Five-Factor Model approach later adopted for DSM-5's alternative model, are built directly on trait theory's premise that personality varies continuously along measurable dimensions rather than in discrete categories.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Trait Theory
Wikimedia FoundationIntroduction
traits, which can be defined as habitual patterns of behavior, thought, and emotion
Introduction, trait definition
traits are aspects of personality that are relatively stable over time, differ across individuals (e.g., some people are outgoing whereas others are not), are relatively consistent over situations, and influence behaviour
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