Trait Theory by Gordon Allport

Gordon Allport's trait theory emphasizes that personality can be described based on traits, which are relatively stable characteristics that lead individuals to behave in specific ways, such as being outgoing, friendly, or hostile.

According to Allport, traits remain consistent across various situations. For instance, a sociable person is likely to behave as outgoing both at a party and during a group discussion.

Allport categorized traits into three types: cardinal, central, and secondary.

A cardinal trait is a dominant and rare characteristic that defines a person's entire personality, such as Mother Teresa's altruism. Only a few individuals have their personalities dominated by a single trait.

Central traits are core qualities of an individual's personality, often used to describe someone, like sociability and honesty. Additionally, they are less dominant than cardinal traits.

Lastly, secondary traits are less prominent and can change depending on the situation. They reflect specific preferences and attitudes, such as having a unique habit, like sleeping on a particular side of the bed.