Which of the following is true about the trait approach to personality?
A) Trait researchers generally are not interested in predicting the behavior of a single individual.
B) It is not easy to make comparisons across people with the trait approach.
C) The trait approach has been responsible for generating a number of useful approaches to psychotherapy.
D) Trait theorists place a greater emphasis on discovering the mechanisms underlying behavior than do theorists from other approaches to personality.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Trait researchers are interested in identifying broad dispositions that are relatively stable across time and situations, and how these dispositions differ between individuals or groups. They are less concerned with predicting specific behaviors of a single individual.

Answer: B 
 The trait approach involves making comparisons across people based on their level of different personality traits. However, it can be difficult to compare people accurately if they have different understandings or interpretations of the trait being measured.

Answer: C 
 While the trait approach may not directly provide approaches to psychotherapy, it has influenced the development of many personality tests and assessments that are used in various types of therapy.

Answer: D 
 Trait theorists focus on describing and categorizing personality traits rather than explaining the underlying mechanisms that give rise to behavior. Other approaches, such as cognitive and behavioral, focus more on the processes and underlying mechanisms behind behavior.

Which of the Following Is True About the Trait Approach