Raymon Cattell Pyschology of Personality
1.Consider Cattell’s Specification Equation. Using three traits that are different from the ones in the examples, furnish your own example, including:

a. A description of the three traits
b. The weights for each trait, and a description of what that signifies
c. The signs for each weight, and a description of what that signifies
d. Your prediction for this fictional example

2.Using original examples, describe the differences between:

a. ergs and sentiments
b. High and low scores on Factor I
c. A correlation and a factor
d. Factor G and Factor O

3.Consider Ewen’s illustrative example of factor analysis on pp. 326-327:

a.Select a category that you know a great deal about (I have used dogs, music, and animals, as examples in class. My sons might select dinosaurs).
b.Generate a list of items you might put on a “test” used to diagnose, or categorize members of your category. For dogs, it might be a list of dog behaviors. For music, it might be a list of adjectives, or musical elements. Your list should consist of around ten items, and should be as descriptive and complete as you can make ten items be. (See my example below)
c.Construct a correlation matrix, like the one on Ewen’s p. 326, providing fictional but realistic correlations. For help Understanding correlations, visit
d.Using your correlation matrix, construct a table of 2-3 factors with fictional but realistic loadings
e.Try to give your factors appropriate names.
***Example of a Simulated, Non-statistical Factor Analysis*** uploaded
5.Consider the five traits of the Big Five theory. (a) Discuss which ones are shared by other theories, and which ones are not, then (b) For each of those traits that are unique to this theory, give examples of behavior that would be characteristic of someone who is high on that Trait, and then low on that Trait. Finally, (c) if you can, suggest a 6th trait that you feel might be universally meaningful and that is not offered by any of the Trait theories that we have studied in this unit.