Understanding personality through various models not only helps in psychological assessment but also enriches our comprehension of human behavior. The Five Factor Model, which focuses on the dimensions of a healthy, normal personality, is widely recognized. However, other models delve into more complex traits, often associated with personality disorders. These models, developed through extensive research and analysis, provide a nuanced perspective on human psychology.
One of the earliest attempts to categorize personality traits was by Allport and Odbert in 1936. They analyzed words related to personality in an English-language dictionary, leading to the Lexical Big Five Model, which included traits like Surgency or extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability versus neuroticism, and intellect or culture. This model laid the groundwork for future personality models, including the widely acknowledged Big Five Model.
However, the Big Five Model faced criticism for its methodology and scope. In 1987, Tellegen and Walter analyzed the 1985 edition of the American Heritage Dictionary and proposed a Big Seven Model, which included traits such as positive valence, negative valence, positive emotionality, negative emotionality, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and conventionality. Their research demonstrated that this model could be applicable across different cultures, including a 1995 study showing its relevance in Israel (source).
In 1990, Clark and his team developed a model with 21 dimensions based on the DSM-III criteria for personality disorders, scholarly texts, and some Axis I elements. This model included traits such as proneness to suicide, self-derogation, anhedonia, and impulsivity, among others. This approach highlighted the complexity of personality disorders and the need for a multifaceted assessment tool.
A more detailed model was proposed by Livesley in 1989, which identified 79 trait dimensions necessary to represent all 11 personality disorders listed in the DSM-III-TR. This model was later refined to include 100 questionnaire items grouped into 18 constructs, such as compulsivity, identity problems, narcissism, and anxiousness. Livesley's model notably excluded 'openness to experience' as it was deemed of limited use in diagnosing personality disorders.
In 1994, Harkness and McNulty critiqued the Five Factor Model and introduced their own dimensions: aggressiveness, psychoticism, constraint, negative emotionality or neuroticism, and positive emotionality or extroversion. Their work underscored ongoing debates about the adequacy of existing models to capture the full range of human personality traits.
The exploration of factor models of personality reveals a rich tapestry of human traits that go beyond the conventional frameworks. Each model offers unique insights and has implications for clinical psychology, particularly in the diagnosis and treatment of personality disorders.
Future research should focus on refining these models to enhance their predictive power and cultural adaptability. The integration of new methodologies, such as machine learning and big data analytics, could further revolutionize the field of personality psychology.
For more detailed information on personality assessment tests, visit Personality Disorders Institute.
Understanding the diverse factor models of personality not only enriches our knowledge of human behavior but also enhances the tools available for psychological assessment and intervention. As research progresses, these models will continue to evolve, offering deeper insights into the complex nature of personality.
The Ubiquitous Britannica 2015
Encyclopedia Britannica is now online and as a DVD. The print edition has been discontinued.
Pears Cyclopaedia 2014-5 Edition: Human Knowledge Encapsulated
Pears Cyclopaedia is the last remaining one volume reference work.
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