Tulajdonságelmélet

Tulajdonságelmélet, known in English as trait theory, is a significant branch of personality psychology. It focuses on identifying, describing, and measuring the stable, enduring characteristics that differentiate individuals. Instead of explaining the origins of personality, trait theory primarily aims to categorize and understand the fundamental building blocks of how people behave, think, and feel consistently across various situations.

The core assumption of trait theory is that personality can be understood in terms of a set of underlying traits. These traits are viewed as predispositions or tendencies to behave in certain ways. For example, someone high in the trait of extroversion is likely to be sociable and outgoing, while someone low in this trait (introverted) might be more reserved and prefer solitude. Researchers in this field often use questionnaires and statistical methods to identify these core traits and assess their intensity in individuals.

A prominent model within trait theory is the Five Factor Model, often referred to as the "Big Five." This model proposes that personality can be described by five broad dimensions: Openness to Experience, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. These five traits are considered relatively universal and stable throughout adulthood. Trait theory has practical applications in areas such as personnel selection, clinical assessment, and understanding individual differences in various contexts. While it provides a valuable framework for describing personality, it is sometimes criticized for not fully explaining the dynamic nature of personality or its developmental aspects.