Cattell's Personality Theory

Cattell's Personality Theory suggests that personality is made up of many different traits, which are consistent patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. He identified two main types: "surface traits," which are observable behaviors, and "source traits," underlying factors that influence these behaviors. Through statistical analysis, especially factor analysis, Cattell pinpointed 16 core source traits that form the basis of personality. These traits help explain why individuals behave differently and provide a structured way to understand personality differences in a systematic, measurable way.