Page 3 - Lesson Note 2

 The source traits are stable, and are considered as the building
blocks of personality.
 Described them in terms of opposing tendencies.
6. Besides these, there are also a no. of surface traits that result out of
the interaction of source traits.
7. He developed a test called Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire
(16PF) for the assessment of personality which is widely used.

 EYSENCK‟S THEORY
1. Proposed by H. J. Eysenck.
2. He believed personality could be reduced into two biologically and
genetically based dimensions.
3. Each dimensions further divides into no. of specific traits.
4. These dimensions are:
a. Neuroticism vs. Emotional Stability
i. This refers to the degree to which people have control
over their feelings.
ii. At one extreme, people are neurotic (i.e anxious, moody,
touchy, restless, quick to loose control)
iii. At the other extreme, lie people who are calm, even
tempered, reliable, always under control.

b. Extraversion vs. Introversion

i. This refers to the degree to which people are socially
outgoing or socially withdrawn.
ii. At one extreme, there are people who are active,
gregarious, impulsive, thrill seeking.
iii. At the other extreme, there are people who are
passive, quiet, cautious and reserved.

c. Psychoticism vs. Sociability

i. Eysenck proposed it later.

ii. It is considered to interact with the other two dimensions
mentioned above.

iii. Person having high score on Psychoticism tends to be
hostile, egocentric and antisocial.
iv. Eysenck Personality Questionnaire is the test which is used
for studying these dimensions of personality.

 FIVE-FACTOR MODEL OF PERSONALITY
a. It was proposed by Paul Costa and Robert McCrae.
b. Their findings after examining all personality traits, indicate a set of five
factors, often called BIG FIVE FACTORS.