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The Five Factor Model Of Personality

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This essay will firstly assess a variety of models of personality, firstly taking into account Gordon Allport’s model, followed by Raymond Cattell’s 16 trait factor model and Eysenck’s, 3 factor model. Before, critically discussing the five factor model of personality and individual traits, these are made up of the characteristics of an individual which includes their, thoughts and behaviours that make a person unique. Finally this essay will suggest one other factor which might usefully be added to the five factor model to improve it. Gordon Allport, (1897-1967) was one of the founding fathers of personality psychology. He discovered a variety of personality traits, compiling a list of over 4,000 different characteristics, he sorted them into three different trait categories. First one was Cardinal traits, this is a trait that takes charge of an individual 's entire personality, and however, it is thought to be quite rare. The second being Central traits this was a very popular trait which most individuals showed having reasonably high levels of, kindness and honesty are examples of these traits. Finally the last personality trait Allport categorised was called Secondary traits, these are personality traits that are only existing under a number of circumstances. Such as, getting nervous before delivering a speech to a large group of people. (Allport 1936). Later, Raymond Cattell analysed Allport’s list of 4,500 traits and narrowed it down to just under 200

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