Allport

Gordon Allport founded the trait theory in 1936. Allport did not discover this theory based upon other theories. He discovered or founded this theory by analyzing or studying every trait within the English dictionary. Allport's personality Theory separates all traits into three basic subcategories. Cardinal, secondary, and central traits. This trait theory suggests that individual personalities are composed broad dispositions. It is also based mainly on the difference between individuals. The combination and interaction of various traits forms a personality that is unique to each individual, this theory focused on identifying and measuring these individual personality characteristics.

• The three major traits that are divided are:
• cardinal traits- are traits that dominate an individual’s entire life, often times this individual would become known for these traits. Allport suggested that these traits were rare and mainly developed later on in life.
• Central traits- are general characteristics that form the basic foundation for personality. They are traits that many people would use to describe other individuals such as "intelligent, honest, shy."
• Secondary Traits- Basic Traits related to attitudes or preferences and often appear only in certain situations or under certain events. Some simple examples of this trait would be getting anxious when speaking to a group or impatient when waiting in line.

•  Strengths of Allport's Personality Theory
• Strict reliance on objective and statistical data.
• Has no bias compared to other theories
•  Freud's relationship with his mother and Jun's belief in mythology could have been possible influences of their theories.

• Describes each and every trait.
• Easy to use and have a number of assessment devices.
• Provides an easy to understand continuum that gives a large amount of information about a person's personality about the self and the world.

• Weaknesses of Allport's personality Theory
• Poor predictor of the future.
• Does not address development of the traits.

o   This trait theory is stuck explaining about present events rather than looking towards the past or future.

• Does not provide a way to change bad traits.

o   Measures the traits but explains no way how to change them.

• This theory seeks to explain or list what traits people have throughout the duration of their life.