____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Subject PSYCHOLOGY Paper No and Title Paper No 5: Personality Theories Module No and Title Module No 3: Factor-analytic trait theories: Raymond Cattell, The Big Five Model Module Tag PSY_P5_M3 Table of Contents 1. Learning Outcomes 2. Introduction 3. Raymond Cattell and his Approach to Personality 3.1 Biographical Account 3.2 Cattell’s Approach to Personality 3.3 Assessment in Cattell’s Theory 4. The Big Five Model 4.1 Robert R. McCrae and Paul T. Costa, Jr.: Biographical Accounts 4.2 Searching for the Big Five 4.3 Five-Factor Theory: Units 5. Evaluative Comments 6. Summary PSYCHOLOGY Paper No 5: Personality Theories Module No 3: Factor-analytic trait theories: Raymond Cattell, The Big Five Model ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1. Learning Outcomes After studying this module, you shall be able to Reflect on Factor Analytic Theories and Factor Analysis Review the Cattellian Approach to Personality Review the Big Five Model of Personality Evaluate Factor Analytic Theories 2. Introduction Nomothetic trait models are obligated to Raymond Cattell, an eloquent proponent that key attributes of personality can be illustrated by discrete dimensions. Cattell’s theory of personality is inseparably connected to quantitative measurement models based on factor analysis of personality data through questionnaire responses and other sources. While Costa and McCrae attempted to stimulate the majestic proposal of Cattell’s idea- an empirical model of traits encompassing gamut of personality. Their Big Five model was focused on depiction of personality, not causes of personality. To study problems with multiple variables, Cattell stressed a great deal on the statistical tool of factor analysis which is used to segregate larger group of observed, interrelated variables to find out a limited number of underlying factors. Cattell used mainly the R and P technique of factor analysis. R technique, being the most common form, usually entails providing big groups of research participants varied personality tests & then inter-correlating their scores. The idea is to start with a huge number of surface variables (surface traits) and then to decrease them to fewer common source factors (source traits) which can predict the variation in surface-variable measures. Strongly inter-correlated variables are said to be measuring similar unit or factor. The investigators find it most difficult to label these factors and considerable skill and care is exercised in the labelling process as it has implications for theory and research. Once the inter- correlations have been computed, further factor-analytic calculations are used to get a factor matrix of factor loadings (degree of association between surface variable & its underlying factor). Once the tentative identification of factors is done, researchers usually attempt to use other samples (age, ethnic background) for cross validation and also place more tests into the analysis to discern new variables loading significantly on the same factor. P technique is intended to determine the unique trait structure of a particular person (Cattell, 1961, 1965). By testing the individual over and over again over a period of time on a number of personality traits and Cattell used it to appraise the alterations in individual motivations. PSYCHOLOGY Paper No 5: Personality Theories Module No 3: Factor-analytic trait theories: Raymond Cattell, The Big Five Model ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Raymond Cattell and his Approach to Personality 3.1 Biographical Account Raymond Bernard Cattell born in Hilltop, England, on March 20, 1905 as the second born to a mechanical engineer father. Cattell was an exceptional student winning scholarship to University of London. In 1924, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree with first-class honours in chemistry from Kings College. Soon his interests became more social & he dazed his well wishers by switching to the dubious subject of psychology. “My laboratory bench began to seem small, and the world’s problems vast. I concluded that to get beyond human irrationalities, I had to study the workings of the mind itself” (Cattell, 1974, p. 64). Cattell received his doctorate under Charles Spearman of the factor analysis fame from University of London in 1929. Cattell married thrice: an artist, Monica Campbell from 1930 to 1938 (one son); from 1946 to 1980 to a mathematician, Alberta Schuettler with whom he published numerous tests and articles and had three daughters and a son; and finally to a clinical psychologist, Heather Birkett. Cattell arrived in United States to work at Columbia University in 1937. Soon afterwards he shifted to Clark University in Massachusetts, and followed by Harvard. In 1945, he finally honoured a research professorship at University of Illinois and founded the Laboratory of Personality Assessment and stayed as director for 27 years. In 1978, he relocated to teach at the University of Hawaii. As one of the most ingenious personality theorists, Cattell’s writings comprise of hundreds of journal articles and around 56 books. Cattell’s honours include the New York Academy of Sciences’ Wenner–Gren Prize & Gold Medal Award for Life Achievement in Psychological Science from American Psychological Foundation. On February 2, 1998, Raymond Cattell passed away in Honolulu, Hawaii. 3.2 Cattell’s Approach to Personality 3.2.1 Personality Traits Cattell described traits as relatively permanent reaction tendencies serving the basic structural units of the personality. He classified traits in several ways. Table 1: Cattell’s Classification of Traits Types of Concept Example Traits Common trait possessed by everyone to some Intelligence, degree, a few persons possess them to a larger Extraversion degree in comparison to others as all persons Gregariousness Common have a comparable hereditary potential and are and subjected to like socio cultural norms and Unique Traits pressures. Unique traits are those facets of personality Interest in Cricket or shared by only some of the other people. football. Interest in Unique traits are mainly evident in our attitudes history or philately. PSYCHOLOGY Paper No 5: Personality Theories Module No 3: Factor-analytic trait theories: Raymond Cattell, The Big Five Model ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ & interests. Ability traits establish how well one is able to Intelligence level move toward a purpose. affects the way we Ability, endeavour for our Temperament goals. , Temperament traits depict the common mode Being Assertive, easy- and and affective tenor of our behaviour These going, or irritable Dynamic traits shape the ways we react & act in Traits situations. Dynamic traits are the motivating forces of behaviour. They characterize our interests, motivations & ambitions. Surface traits are personality descriptions that Elements like associate with one another but do not compose indecisiveness, a factor as they are not caused by a lone source. anxiety, unreasonable As surface traits are made up of numerous fear etc. coalesce to elements, they are less firm and enduring, shape the surface trait Surface and therefore less significant in unfolding labelled neuroticism. Source Traits personality. (steadiness and Of larger weight are source traits that are permanence) unitary personality factors which are much more steady and enduring. Each source trait affects some facet of behaviour. Source traits obtained from factor analysis as individual factors combining to report for surface traits. Constitutional traits initiate in biological Alcohol intake leading environment but are not necessarily inborn. to behaviours like Factor analysis would point to these carelessness, Constitutional characteristics being source traits. talkativeness, slurred and speech. Environmenta Environmental-mold traits are learnt qualities Difference in l-Mold Traits & behaviours imposing a blueprint on behaviour of military (Source Traits personality that develop from influences in our officer and jazz classified on physical social environments. musician. their origin) Difference in behaviour of people of different cultures. PSYCHOLOGY Paper No 5: Personality Theories Module No 3: Factor-analytic trait theories: Raymond Cattell, The Big Five Model ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3.2.2 The Motivating Forces: Dynamic Traits Cattell portrayed dynamic traits as traits associated with motivation. He supposed that a personality theory is incomplete if it fails to consider the impact of dynamic motivating forces. It is akin to describing an engine but failing to cite the kind of fuel required. 2 kinds of dynamic, motivating traits: ergs and sentiments were proposed. Ergs and Sentiments: The phrase erg originates from Greek ergon referring to work or energy. Cattell utilized erg to indicate the notion of drive or instinct. Ergs are the driving force or intrinsic energy source for behaviours, the fundamental units of motivation steering us toward specific goals. 11 ergs being constitutional traits were identified Self- Anger Security Curiosity Sex Protection assertion Gregariousness Appeal Hunger Self-submission Disgust Sentiments are environmental-mold source traits as they originate from outer physical