Trait Perspective
Gordon Allport
He was a psychologist and traits theorist; he researched the idea that individual personalities are unique.
Raymond Cattell
psychologist who researched whether some traits predicted others also used factors analysis to come up with 16 key personality dimensions.
Hans Eysenck
Psychologist that researched the genetically-influenced dimensions of personality.
Big 5 Traits
Openness
-Imaginative------Practical
Extraversion
-Fun-loving-------sober
Agreeableness
-Helpful------Uncooperative
Emotional Stability
-Calm-----Anxious
Conscientiousness
-Organized-----Disorganized
Evaluate Trait Theory
Psychologist generally accept that people can be described and compared in terms of basic personality traits. Doesn't really explain personality, it simply describes the behaviors, and doesn't explain the development of different behaviors/personalities.
~http://www.npr.org/2007/10/25/15629096/identical-strangers-explore-nature-vs-nurture
~http://www.scpr.org/programs/airtalk/2012/07/18/27453/how-twins-separated-at-birth-inform-the-nature-ver/