CHAPTER-2

CRITICAL ANALYSIS / DIFFERENTIATE/ COMPARISON

BETWEEN TYPE & TRAIT APPROACH OR THEORY TO
PERSONALITY.

Type & Trait approaches are two of the most common and talked about
approaches to personality. The basic assumption of the trait & type is that
people possess predispositions to respond in particular ways.

DIMENSIO TYPE THEORY TRAIT THEORY

NS
DEFINITION The type approach advocates that In the trait approach,personality is
human personalities can be classified viewed in terms of various traits.
into a few clearly defined types and
each person,depending upon his
behavioral characteristics, somatic
structure, blood types or fluids can be
described as belonging to a certain
type.
BASIC UNIT According to Morgan & King, A type Traits are the relatively
OF is simply a class or group of permanent, stable,& consistent
PERSONALI individuals who share a common general behavior pattern that an
TY collection of characteristics. individual exhibits in most
situations.
FOCUS/ Emphasis is on the significance of Emphasizes the significance of
EMPHASIS distinct type of personality human traits in the study of
personality.
DIVERSITY Ignores the diversity in characteristics Open to diversity in
IN characteristics.
CHARACTE
RISTICS
STRENGTH One of its underlying assumptions is Ability to categorize observable
that each individual can be classified behavior
in one or other type.
LIMITATIO ● Explains the structure of ● Do not explain why an
N personality but fails to take individual behaves in a
into account the development certain way.
of personality.
● Type approaches do not at all
take into account the social &
cultural factors which are
extremely imp. In the
development of personality.
● Unethical , misleading &
lopsided.
EXAMPLE Mention Type theories Mention Trait theories

In conclusion, it seems that the study of personality is not as clear cut as one would
hope.