In psychology, traits are defined as ways that describe a person. The study of traits in psychology is essential since it helps in identifying the personality of an individual. Traits in individuals are consistent and stable. For example, an extraversion person is expected to socialize in different circumstances, and it should take place over time. Traits psychology is based on the idea that people are different from each other in terms of basic trait dimensions. Therefore, each person has a stand on different issues over time and in various situations. Traits of people are based on a continuous distribution. It is measured according to score in degree, for example, low or high introversion. For instance, if someone is an extravert, the degree can either be high, medium, or low. Characterization of personality traits is done based on differences of individuals, their stability and consistency.
The trait theory of personality is the approach used in studying human personality ( Fleeson & Jayawickreme, 2015) . Various theories have been developed purposely to facilitate the understanding of traits among individuals. Traits theories are based on the information from theorist in psychology regarding issues that surrounds traits among individuals. From a theoretical perspective, traits are either purely descriptive dimensions or internal causal properties. An example of trait theory of personality is Gordon Allport's theory. Trait theory focuses on the situations that individuals are in; however, the modern trait perspective also includes the external factors that may affect one's personality.
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Gordon Allport trait personality theory
Allport's theory underscores the uniqueness, motivational, and cognitive processes that influence the behavior of an individual. The psychologist beliefs that individual personality is biological; however, it is shaped by environmental experiences. Factors such as intelligence, skills, temperament, traits, and habits influence the behavior of a person. Allport believes that traits of individuals are shaped by their childhood experiences, the current environment, and interactions that exist between people and the environment ( Rauthmann et al., 2016) . Therefore, Gordon believes that current and past forces play an integral role in the shaping of one's personality traits. Based on his studies of relatively 4000 words regarding the description of personality in the dictionary, Allport classified personality traits into three levels purposely for the understanding of individual differences and situational variables. The traits levels include cardinal, central, and secondary traits. Cardinal traits are those that dictate an individual's personality; however, they are rare. These traits are intrinsic; thus, they are synonymous with the individual's qualities. They develop later in one's life, and they shape various aspects of an individual's attitudes, purposes, and behaviors ( Fajkowska & Kreitler, 2018) . Such traits characterized historical figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. through their constant quest for justice and equality.
In central traits, Allport described as those that are common, and they serve as building blocks of people's personalities. Examples of central traits are kind, smart, and outgoing. Allport highlights that individuals possess between five and ten of central traits, but their degree varies. The secondary traits are those that present themselves during particular situations. The traits are only observed during certain circumstances affecting the individual. For example, a cool or collected person might develop anxiety when faced with intense pressure. Secondary traits involve general behavior patterns that occur under a particular circumstance.
Hans Eysenck dimensions of personality
Hans Eysenck is one of the well-known prolific and controversial psychologists of the 20 th century. The psychologist made a profound contribution to psychology by publishing 80 books and various articles that cover issues associated with psychology. He was also a publisher in the journal "Personality and individual differences" ( Boyle et al., 2016) . Despite the great contribution to various factors and dimensions in psychology, one will focus on the three dimensions of personality. Hans utilized factor analysis in designing the personality theory. The three personality dimensions include; Psychoticism, extraversion vs. introversion, and emotional stability vs. Neuroticism.
Extraversion-introversion
Hans outlines that individuals characterized by high levels of extraversion have a sizeable social network of associates and friends. They engage more in social activities; thus, they are more talkative, outgoing, and they feel comfortable in groups. Contrary, individuals who are introverts shy away from large groups. Introverts enjoy contemplative exercise, and in most cases, they only maintain small groups that encompass friends. Introversion-extraversion, according to the psychologist, depends on psychic energy. Therefore, for extraverts, their psychic energy is directed outwards towards other people who, in turn, lead to the development of social groups ( Al Qaisy & Thawabieh, 2017) . Conversely, the psychic energy of introverts is directed inside; consequently, it makes the individual socialize less. The psychologist believes that extraverts have low levels of cortical stimulation, and thus, it makes them search the arousal from external stimuli. However, the introverts have high levels of arousal that enable them to avoid stimuli from the external dimension since it might increase their stimulation further.
Neuroticism vs. emotional stability
Hans's also viewed that neuroticism influences the personality of individuals. Hans highlighted that people with high neurotic content experiences stress and anxiety more as compared to those with lower levels. Such individuals have challenges in coping with the stressors, and in most cases, they exaggerate their significance. The more neurotic individuals are envious towards those whom they feel are in an advantageous position. Their neuroticism is characterized by the tendency of feeling dissatisfied, perfect, and they are they feel frustrated towards others for their unfulfilled desires. However, the individual with low neuroticism experiences more emotional stability. They can cope with stressful issues, and they control their demands. They are calm, even in extremely demanding situations.
Psychoticism vs. normality
This was the last dimension in the Eysenck personality theory. It ranges from normal to high psychoticism. The psychologist views that people with a high level of psychoticism are bound to engage in irresponsible behavior. The majority of individuals in the category contravene the accepted norms. They are driven by the desire for instant gratification irrespective of the consequences. Despite that, such individuals possess advanced creative abilities. The psychoticism levels are influenced by biological factors such as levels of hormones ( Matz, Chan & Kosinski, 2016) . Based on the PEN model, psychoticism reduces the individual's responsiveness to conditioning. Consequently, the individuals with the trait may not be able to change their behavior despite social norms that one may be subjected through the process of rewards and punishment. Therefore, people who are more psychotic are prone to criminal activities purposely to fulfill their interests.
Eysenck is also known for his contribution to personality and intelligence perspective. The psychologist claimed that biological phenomena influenced one’s personality and intelligence ( Boyle et al., 2016) . The author views that people who experience inequality dues to race have different personalities that are shaped by social injustices, which leads to their low levels of intelligence caused by lack of exposure. Initially, the context of the information was controversial. However, in 2000, the genetic perspective on intelligence and personality was established to be true by performing molecular genetics and neuroimaging.
Raymond Cattell 16 Personality traits
Understanding personality and its influence on behavior is a challenge. Due to such encounters, a theory based on traits was developed by Raymond. It is based on the taxonomy of 16 different traits that can be used to explain differences existing between individual personalities. The inventions in the scientific world inspired the psychologist to apply its methods in making discoveries to human personality and mind. According to Cattell, personality was a dimension that was untestable and unknowable. Therefore, psychology was acknowledged as the field that allowed scholars to study personality traits. Cattell viewed that, through the application of scientific study, behaviors, and characteristics of human humans can be predicted by analyzing their underlying personality traits. The psychologist applied statistics technique called factor analysis in creating of personality taxonomy. The application of taxonomy led to the reduction of Allport 4500 human traits to 16, which Cattell viewed as manageable in characterization. This was achieved through the reduction of redundant features in the traits. Despite that, the psychologist realized that it was important for him to sample various traits to understand personality clearly. By applying scientific techniques, he was able to obtain the 16 key personality factors ( Lynam & Miller, 2015) . Cattell outlines that there is the existence of a continuum of personality traits. Therefore, each individual has the 16 traits; however, the degree varies. Some people have low, whereas others have a high degree of 16 traits. The 16 traits include;
Abstractedness which involves imaginative versus the practical aspect of individuals.
Apprehension which involves the degree of worry versus confidence in people.
Dominance involves the degree of forcefulness versus submissiveness based on an individual's traits.
Emotional stability- it describes on calm versus high-strung traits of personality. Some people have high, while others have low.
Liveliness is based on the degree of one's spontaneity versus restrained.
Openness to change describes one's flexibility versus their ability to be attached to a familiar place or activities.
Perfectionism defines the degree of control in comparison to undisciplined issues. For example, some people possess traits that allow them to control their challenges, whereas others engage in undisciplined measures to subdue their desires.
Privateness highlights on one's trait-based on being discrete versus their ability to be open. Some individuals are more discrete in information, whereas others are quite open in sharing their issues with others.
Reasoning- One's trait dictates on their degree to abstract reasoning to concrete reasoning.
Rule-consciousness describes the degree to conforming with non-conforming. Some people readily conform to situations, whereas some have a low degree of conforming to some influencing factors.
Self-reliance describes the self-sufficient perspective in comparison to the dependent notion.
Sensitivity describes the degree of tender-heartedness to tough-minded. Some people readily compromise to situations or issues while others have a low degree in compromising issues, thus making them tough.
Social boldness outlines on one's degree of uninhibited character versus shyness.
Tension entails the anxiety related to unfavorable circumstances. Some people have a high degree of inpatients, whereas others are always relaxed despite the critical issues.
Vigilance- The individual's traits dictate on their high degree to suspicion whereas others are embedded with trusting traits
Warmth- Individuals have varying degrees of warmth; in that, some have a high degree making them outgoing while others have low, thus subjecting them to reserved traits.
In personality research, Raymond Cattell is remembered for the development of
16-factor model and the tests used in measuring primary factors of personality. He proposed on the multi-level and hierarchical method that was categorized as global traits in personality organization. In the intelligence perspective, Cattell is well known for the distinction between crystallized and fluid intelligence. It has contributed largely to cognitive epidemiology by arguing that it can be increased or maintained after the decline in the fluid. Therefore, one’s intelligence is not dynamic; it can be increased through learning.
Conclusion
Individuals are born with different personalities. However, as they grow, their environment shapes their personalities. Traits are responsible for the differences and situational variables that affect individuals. For example, in Gordon traits of personality theory, one can be categorized as having cardinal, secondary, or central traits. Based on the category, one's uniqueness is established. Hans also enhanced the understanding of personality traits based on three dimensions of personality. The dimensions of personality responsible for an individual's traits are Psychoticism, extraversion vs. introversion, and emotional stability vs. Neuroticism. The dimensions describe the behavior of an individual based on the degree similar to the Raymond Cattell 16 Personality traits. Therefore, despite different approaches used by the psychologist in their theories, it is clear that the degree of one's traits is dominant in explaining their personalities.
References
Al Qaisy, L. M., & Thawabieh, A. M. (2017). Personal Traits and Their Relationship with Future Anxiety and Achievement. Journal on Educational Psychology , 10 (3), 11-19.
Boyle, G. J., Stankov, L., Martin, N. G., Petrides, K. V., Eysenck, M. W., & Ortet, G. (2016). Hans J. Eysenck and Raymond B. Cattell on intelligence and personality. Personality and Individual Differences , 103 , 40-47.
Boyle, G. J., Stankov, L., Martin, N. G., Petrides, K. V., Eysenck, M. W., & Ortet, G. (2016). Hans J. Eysenck and Raymond B. Cattell on intelligence and personality. Personality and Individual Differences , 103 , 40-47.
Fajkowska, M., & Kreitler, S. (2018). Status of the trait concept in contemporary personality psychology: Are the old questions still the burning questions?. Journal of personality , 86 (1), 5-11.
Fleeson, W., & Jayawickreme, E. (2015). Whole trait theory. Journal of research in personality , 56 , 82-92.
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Matz, S., Chan, Y. W. F., & Kosinski, M. (2016). Models of personality. In Emotions and Personality in Personalized Services (pp. 35-54). Springer, Cham.
Rauthmann, J. F., Beckmann, N., Noftle, E. E., & Sherman, R. A. (2019). Personality dynamics: A new frontier in personality psychology. Personality and Individual Differences , 136 , 1.
Revelle, W. (2016). Hans Eysenck: Personality theorist. Personality and Individual Differences , 103 , 32-39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.04.007
