Which of the following traits are part of the trait approach proposed…

Which of the following traits are part of the trait approach proposed by Gordon Allport?

(A) Central traits

(B) Source traits

(D) Secondary traits

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 3

The correct answer is Option (3) → (A) and (D) only

(A) Central traits Correct. They are less pervasive than cardinal traits but quite generalised, such as warm, sincere or diligent, the words used in a testimonial or job recommendation.

(B) Source traits Incorrect. They belong to Raymond Cattell’s theory. By factor analysis he found 16 primary or source traits, the stable building blocks of personality.

(C) Surface traits Incorrect. Also Cattell’s: traits that result from the interaction of source traits.

(D) Secondary traits Correct. They are the least generalised characteristics of a person, such as ‘likes mangoes’ or ‘prefers ethnic clothes’.

NCERT (2025-26): “Allport’s Trait Theory … Allport, based on this, categorised traits into cardinal, central, and secondary. Cardinal traits are highly generalised dispositions. They indicate the goal around which a person’s entire life seems to revolve. Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violence and Hitler’s Nazism are examples of cardinal traits. Such traits often get associated with the name of the person so strongly that they derive such identities as the ‘Gandhian’ or ‘Hitlerian’ trait. Less pervasive in effect, but still quite generalised dispositions, are called central traits. These traits (e.g., warm, sincere, diligent, etc.) are often used in writing a testimonial or job recommendation for a person. The least generalised characteristics of a person are called secondary traits. Traits such as ‘likes mangoes’ or ‘prefers ethnic clothes’ are examples of secondary traits.…”

“Cattell: Personality Factors … He found 16 primary or source traits. The source traits are stable, and are considered as the building blocks of personality. Besides these, there are also a number of surface traits that result out of the interaction of source traits.…”