Surface Traits
Definition
These are observable characteristics in a person's personality, which can be easily identified by other people.
Analogy
Think of surface traits like the cover of a book. They're what you see first and make judgments on, but they don't necessarily tell the whole story about what's inside.
Related terms
Trait Theory: This is a psychological framework that attempts to identify and measure the degree of certain personality traits an individual possesses.
Big Five Personality Traits: This is a model in psychology that describes five fundamental dimensions of personality - openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
Characteristics: These are distinguishing features or qualities that make up an individual's unique personality.
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