A Five-Factor Theory Perspective on Causal Analysis

European Journal of Personality
Robert R McCrae, Angelina R Sutin

Abstract

Five-Factor Theory (FFT) provides a broad but largely blank template for causal personality research. Within FFT, there are three major categories of questions: (1) How do biological structures and functions lead to trait levels? (2) how do traits and the environment give rise to acquired psychological institutions? and (3) how do personality characteristics interact with specific situations to determine behaviors and reactions? Both practical and ethical issues complicate the search for the causes of trait change. Causal explanations of the development of characteristic adaptations are likely to be incomplete, because there are many different ways in which the same adaptation may be acquired. Studies of the determinants of behavior are usually left to social, educational, or clinical psychologists-although personality psychologists may make distinctive contributions by emphasizing the role of the individual in selecting and creating situations. A causal understanding of the functioning of the personality system is possible through the integration of many lines of evidence, but it is likely to take a very long time. In the meanwhile, personality psychologists may fruitfully pursue the identification of practical causes by which...Continue Reading

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Citations

Sep 24, 2018·Journal of Personality·Robert R McCraeJüri Allik
May 1, 2021·Journal of Clinical Medicine·Fatima Roso-BasAntonio Gutierrez
Jul 9, 2021·Journal of Personality·Ross David StewartWendy Johnson
Jan 18, 2022·Journal of Personality·Marco Di SarnoMarco Perugini

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