Personality and Individual Difference

Running head: PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCE
PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCE
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Introduction
Trait approach is one among the first systems that were used to study the personality
qualities present within individuals. As the name suggests this theory deals with the
determination of the different traits or the characteristics that are present within the individuals.
As per the opinion of Enquist et al. (2015), personality traits help in defining specific nature or
qualities that are present within an individual. Personality traits like honesty, integrity, empathy
are usually referred to as the qualities that determine the personality ability of the individual.
There are some of the ancient theories developed by scholars like Raymond Cattell, Hans
Eysenck and others that help in understanding the particular trait which is present within
individuals. Understanding the traits present with each individual is of utmost importance
Trait Approach
In the early 20th century the trait theory was used to study personality or the traits that are
present within the individuals that can make them an able leader. This approach is used by
identifying some particular trait within the individuals who can supposedly become able leaders.
The Big Five theory is often used to identify the traits present within an individual. The traits o
qualities are-
• Openness – open to new experience, independent thinking
• Conscientiousness – organization, planning
• Extraversion – sociable, optimistic
• Agreeableness – trusting, sympathetic
• Neuroticism – emotional stability/volatility

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Many different scholars have put forward many different theories to understand and study
the different traits present within individuals. Gordon Allport is a famous scholar in the field of
psychology who has invented about 4000 different terms to understand the trait theory present
within the individuals. However, Costa (2017) has urged that it is not possible to understand the
so many different types of traits present within the individuals. It will really be a very tough job
for the psychologists to understand the traits present within each of their clients. Thus Raymond
Cattell worked on these 4000 traits and shortened them down into 16 traits. However, he has also
said that these traits can be either hereditically gained by individuals or obtained after being
subjected to any particular environmental surrounding for a long time.
The other significant psychologist of the ancient time is Hans Eysenck (Gottfredson
2016). He invented the theory of three factors that are used to study the personality traits
among individual in the day to day life. The three factors are
 Extroversion vs. Introversion
 Neuroticism vs. Emotional Stability
 Psychoticism vs. Self-Control
The weakness of the Trait approach
The trait theory cannot be used for long term recruitment or hiring process because there
is no surety about the stability or longevity of these traits. There might be many emergencies
taking place in the organization which will make the leaders act in a different way than the
quality which they showed earlier. Each and every trait theories have their weaknesses or
criticism. Cattell and a Dual (2018) has stated that Cattell’s theory helps us in understanding the

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emotionally stable people and people who are mad (neurotics). However, the traits or the features
present within the psychotic people cannot be studied. However, this theory is too difficult to
understand. On the other hand, Eysenck's theory is also limited in scope. Thus it leads to the
foundation of the Big Five theory or the big five model approach to learn about the personality
traits. Big Five model was established with the motif of making the works of psychologist much
easier as they get the five broad categories. However, Zuroff et al. (2016) have argued that these
five categories can also be critical at times and so they can be brought into one particular general
or basic factor. The criticism mainly points towards the fact that the negative traits (like being
rude, selfish, cheating and others) or the psychoticism does not necessarily have any good
impacts or any kinds of advantages.
Strength of the Trait Approach
This theory can be used to categorize people into groups easily. This is a very useful
strategy used by the HR managers while they are hiring employees in any particular post. The
HR managers can look for certain traits within the individuals and then decide if they are suitable
enough for the job (Peterson et al. 2017). This method helps them to identify if the personality
traits are present within the individuals. Thus the process of recruiting becomes much easier.
This might also act as a guide for the people to know about the traits which are needed for
becoming able leaders.
Big Five Model
Giluk and Postlethwaite (2015) are of the opinion that the big five models were established in
order to reduce the complications that are associated in studying the different kinds of traits with

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the help of other complicated theories. Big five model helps in categorizing the traits into five
big or broader categories. The five broader categories are-
 Openness-People who score high in openness usually are of free and accepting nature.
They are open towards accepting new and dynamic ideas.
 Conscientiousness-People with traits or features like organized, disciplined, thorough
usually get a high score on this aspect. Individuals with this particular trait are very smart
and prompt in raking any actions.
 Extraversion-Extroverts are people who do not keep their thoughts hidden within
themselves. They always like to talk to others and talk about their inner feelings. They
are talkative, assertive and of a very energetic nature.
 Agreeableness- These individuals are friendly and helpful in nature. They are always
active in rendering their help towards others and are sympathetic in nature.
 Neuroticism-This refers to emotional stability. People having a high score are usually
diagnosed as clinically mad. They suffer from emotional outbursts or negative emotions.
They often get very moody and also of a tense, aggressive nature.
Just as the different another personality test, this testing tool is also used for understanding about
the different traits that are present within all the individuals. The personality of all the individuals
is derived from the different characteristic features or the traits that are present within them.
Myers Biggs or the MBTI test is one of the well-known personality types tests that help the
individuals to understand their own traits and personality type. The big five model helps in

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understanding and deciding the traits within the individuals by categorizing those under five
broad categories.
The NEO-PI-R questionnaire is used in order to undertake the test. The big five dimensions of
the personality categories under this test are as follows
Conscientiousness – organization, planning
This trait talks about the planning and organizing abilities of individuals. As per the
opinion of Giluk and Postlethwaite (2015), conscientiousness is a trait that helps in making a
goal oriented and objective oriented personality. People who have a high score of
conscientiousness are capable of developing a very good professional nature. Such personalities
are able to develop a very good and secured position for themselves in their workplaces (Buttner
et al. 2015).
This is because they are always very keen on the details of their assignments. They make
sure that they are always moving forward with a certain goal or objective. Such personalities can
shine very well in their professional fields in the long run. However, Smith et al. (2016) have
argued that providing too much of time in each and every aspect of any work assignment might
often result in the delaying of the work. As these personalities try to finish the work quickly they
might run the risk of making mistakes (Enquist et al. 2015). On the other hand, paying too many
details can often make them suffer from time constraints. As per the test result, the score is 29
which is a low score. It shows that low score conscientiousness personalities are very impulsive
and do not believe in making long term plans. They are always living for the moment and do not
move forward with any plans or schedules.