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.

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.