AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Allport grouped these traits into three different categories: cardinal traits, central traits, and secondary traits. Cardinal traits are those that are so dominant that they are expressed across situations and various parts of a person’s life. This type of trait is considered rare.

Detailed explanation-2: -Allport created a highly influential three-tiered hierarchy of personality traits, consisting of: Cardinal traits: Rare, but strongly deterministic of behavior. Central traits: Present to varying degrees in all people. Central traits influence, but do not determine, an individual’s behavior.

Detailed explanation-3: -For Allport, cardinal traits dominate and shape a person’s behavior. Central traits are characteristics found to some degree in every person. Secondary traits are only seen in particular circumstances (such as the snappy remark mentioned earlier).

Detailed explanation-4: -Trait theory in psychology rests on the idea that people differ from one another based on the strength and intensity of basic trait dimensions. There are three criteria that characterize personality traits: (1) consistency, (2) stability, and (3) individual differences.