Raymond B.

Cattell
FACTOR ANALYTIC TRAIT THEORY
Personality
• “Personality is that which permits
a prediction of what a person will
do in a given situation.”
• Precisely measures in
mathematical terms through the
use of statistical techniques
Factor Analytic Theory
• Strive to summarize the relationships
among a large number of variables into
fewer, more general patterns.
• Aims to describe the fundamental
dimensions of individual differences.
• GOAL: to discover the basic traits of
personality
Methods used to collect data
L-Data (life data) – collecting data from the
individual’s natural, everyday life behaviors.
Q-Data (questionnaire data) – involves
responses based on introspection by the
individual about their own behavior and
feelings.
T-Data (experimental data) – involves reactions
to standardized experimental situations
where behavior can be objectively observed.
“Behavior is determined by the
interaction of traits and
situational variables.”
(1) Source Traits
(2) Surface Traits
Trait
• “Tractus” meaning patterns that go together
• The basic structural element for Cattell
• Relatively permanent and pervasive tendencies to
respond with consistency from one situation to
another
• Reflects a person’s stable and predictable
characteristics
• 3 major functions: SUMMARIZE, EXPLAIN, and
PREDICT conduct or behavior.
IMPORTANT DISTINCTIONS
Source traits are the underlying basic factors of an
individual’s personality.

Types of Source Traits

(1) Temperament Traits – concerned with HOW a
person behaves in a certain way.
(2) Motivation Traits – concerned with WHY a
behaves a certain way.
(3) Ability Traits – how fast a person can perform a
particular behavior.
IMPORTANT DISTINCTIONS

Surface traits is the result of putting together the

different source traits, these are the traits we see
and can be observed.
Cattell’s 16 Personality Factors
Primary Factor Ref Low High
Reserved, impersonal, distant, cool,
Warm, outgoing, attentive to others, kindly,
Warmth A reserved, impersonal, detached, formal,
easygoing, participating, likes people
aloof
Concrete-thinking, lower general mental
Abstract-thinking, more intelligent, bright, higher
Reasoning B capacity, less intelligent, unable to handle
general mental capacity, fast learner
abstract problems
Reactive, emotionally changeable, affected
Emotionally stable, adaptive, mature, faces
Emotional Stability C by feelings, emotionally less stable, easily
reality, calm
upset
Deferential, cooperative, avoids conflict,
Dominant, forceful, assertive, aggressive,
Dominance E submissive, humble, obedient, easily led,
competitive, stubborn, bossy
docile, accommodating

Serious, restrained, prudent, taciturn, Lively, animated, spontaneous, enthusiastic,

Liveliness F
introspective, silent happy-go-lucky, cheerful, expressive, impulsive

Expedient, nonconforming, disregards Rule-conscious, dutiful, conscientious,

Rule-Consciousness G
rules, self-indulgent conforming, moralistic, staid, rule-bound
Shy, threat-sensitive, timid, hesitant, Socially bold, venturesome, thick-skinned,
Social Boldness H
intimidated uninhibited, can take stress
 Utilitarian, objective, unsentimental,
Sensitive, aesthetic, sentimental, tender-
Sensitivity I tough-minded, self-reliant, no-
minded, intuitive, refined
nonsense, rough

Trusting, unsuspecting, accepting, Vigilant, suspicious, skeptical, wary, distrustful,

Vigilance L
unconditional, easy oppositional

Grounded, practical, prosaic, solution- Abstracted, imaginative, absent-minded,

Abstractedness M
oriented, steady, conventional impractical, absorbed in ideas

Forthright, genuine, artless, open, Private, discreet, non-disclosing, shrewd,

Privateness N
guileless, naive, unpretentious, involved polished, worldly, astute, astute, diplomatic

Self-assured, unworried, complacent,

Apprehensive, self-doubting, worried, guilt-
Apprehension O secure, free of guilt, confident, self-
prone, insecure, worrying, self-blaming
satisfied

Traditional, attached to familiar, Open to change, experimenting, liberal,

Openness to Change Q1
conservative, respecting traditional ideas analytical, critical, free-thinking, flexibility

Group-oriented, affiliative, a joiner and Self-reliant, solitary, resourceful, individualistic,

Self-Reliance Q2
follower, dependent self-sufficient

Tolerates disorder, unexacting, flexible, Perfectionist, organized, compulsive, self-

Perfectionism Q3 undisciplined, lax, self-conflict, impulsive, disciplined, socially precise, exacting will
careless of social rules, uncontrolled power, control, self-sentimental

Tense, high energy, impatient, driven,

Relaxed, placid, tranquil, torpid, patient,
Tension Q4 frustrated, over-wrought, has high drive, time-
composed, low drive
driven
Other fundamentals of human behavior
Humans are innately driven by ergs
Ergs – goals created because of sex, hunger,
curiosity, anger, fear or other basic motivations
which are found in both humans and high
primates.
Socially Shaped Ergic Manifolds – explain the
contribution of the environment to human
behavior. SEM are socially acquired and can
satisfy several ergs at one time. Example:
profession, family, home, religion.
Other fundamentals of human behavior

Sentiments – deep underlying dynamic

structures in personality that are formed
early and are generally enduring. Its how
you feel about something or someone.
Example: your sentiment towards your
family, friends, etc.
Attitudes – these are more specific expressions
of sentiments.
Man’s Stages of Development

• Infancy to 6 years – a time of influence by

parents and siblings.
• 6 to 14 years – stage of independence from
parents and increasing identification with peers.
• 14 to 23 years – marked by emotional disorders
and possible delinquency as young people
experience conflicts centered on the drive for
independence, assertion and sex.
• 23 to 50 years – a stage of general productivity
and a satisfying time for career, marriage and
family situations.
• 50 to 65 years – personality development is in
response to physical, social and psychological
changes.
• Old age – makes adjustments to different kinds
of losses such as death of a spouse, relatives and
friends, etc.
Other Important Concepts

Fluid Intelligence – intelligence which allows

man to learn new things, regardless of past
experience.

Crystallized Intelligence – ability to solve

problems based on previous experience