What Is the Trait Theory of Personality?

The trait approach to personality is one of the major theoretical areas in the study of personality. Trait theory suggests that individual personalities are composed broad dispositions. Consider how you would describe the personality of a close friend. Chances are that you would list a number of traits, such as outgoing, kind and even-tempered. A trait can be thought of as a relatively stable characteristic that causes individuals to behave in certain ways.

Learn more about some major trait theories of personality proposed by psychologists including Allport, Cattell and Eysenck.