Trait Theory
The humanistic perspective of trait theory is based around the measurement and comprehension of traits. Traits are characteristic patterns of behavior that are assessed using of a variety of methods. The trait theory believes traits are stable over time. This means a person's traits do not change with time and environment. The trait theory also promotes difference in traits in individuals and the influence of traits on behaviors. The trait theory supports the idea that traits vary from person to person and that traits remain constant. The trait theory also believes attributes behavior to traits. The trait theory is used to determine the cause of behaviors in individuals compared to others.
Personality Inventories
Personality inventories are used to rate behaviors in a variety of areas. The subject is judged by the answers of their questions compared to others. These personality inventories judge several traits at once. Personality inventories use behavior judgements to gauge a person's traits. The MMPI(Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) assesses abnormal personality traits. The MMPI was designed to test emotional disorders but is now used to screen traits. The MMPI uses empirically derived data to put certain results into groups based on the larger pool of results. The MMPI and personality inverntories are both used to judge personality traits by comparing answers to a larger group of results.
Criticisms of Trait Theories
The trait theory is criticized for its generality because the theory doesn't believe traits change over time. The theory believes traits do not change from situation so people are the same at all times. The trait theory is hard to judge using personality tests because behaviors change in situations. The trait theory also generalizes by putting people into groups based on their results in personality inventories. These tests are often to general for a full understanding of the person and their traits. The trait theory uses group results to judge individuals, which can cause people to appear different than they are because they are being judged compared to others. The traits are subjective and determined by either psychologists, which can have different understanding of traits. The trait theory is criticized for its subjective nature and generalizations.