Trait Theorists

Definition

Trait theorists are psychologists who attempt to describe personality in terms of a person's traits, which are habitual patterns of behavior, thought, and emotion.

Analogy

Think of trait theorists as chefs. Just like a chef uses different ingredients (traits) to create unique dishes (personalities), trait theorists use various traits to describe the complexity of human personalities.

Related terms

Personality Traits: These are enduring characteristics that describe an individual’s behavior. They're the basic units used by trait theorists to define personality.

Big Five Personality Traits: This is a theory that suggests there are five broad dimensions of personality: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism (OCEAN).

Nomothetic Approach: This is an approach used by some trait theorists that focuses on identifying general laws that govern the behavior of all individuals.