Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Specific traits refer to the unique characteristics or qualities that distinguish individuals from one another. They are enduring patterns of behavior, emotions, and thoughts that can be observed across different situations.
Personality traits are broad dimensions or categories of personality characteristics that describe patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior. They are more general than specific traits.
The Big Five Traits (also known as the Five-Factor Model) are five broad dimensions of personality which include openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
Cardinal traits represent dominant characteristics that define a person's overall behavior and influence many aspects of their life. They are rare compared to other types of traits.