Our basic nature, which defines who we are and the resultant gears that propel people to do what they do, are as complex as the universe itself. Possibly, this is why the study of personality in psychology today is a new and increasingly popular field. Overall, throughout the ages, people have always vexed in an effort to grasp the individual behaviors of people whether in an informal way or through scientific research. In psychology, trait theory, also known as the dispositional theory is the overall approach that a psychologist takes to study the personality of people. Through trait theory, there is the identification of particular personality traits consequently, leading to the measurement of recurrent thought patterns, shyness, anxiousness and acceptance of new ideas and things. Trait theory is a stark contrast to other personality schools such as psychoanalytic theories that put their central focus on the conflict between components of personality and interaction. Hence, to have conclusive results from the study of personality or trait theory, there is a need for extensive and accurate research methodologies.
Since this field is complex, its methodologies are also multifaceted and largely depend on the quintessential research question, and the hypothesis formulated. Trait theory may use methodologies that exemplify the qualitative or quantitative research approaches or even the use of both in getting the correct and unambiguous variance. One method is the Factor – Analytic study of single individuals. When looking at a single individual’s dynamic traits, the tool of factor analysis comes in handy. In it, there is the R-technique, which calculates correlations based on numerous persons and the resultant factors become the common trait, whereas the P-technique calculates correlations over numerous repeated measurements in a case study of a single person. In addition, the proper classification of traits is significant and encourages optimal results. Through methods that encourage classifications such as surface and source traits, and other sub-classifications such as the different types of intelligence, the methodological approach attains particular distinction.
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