Emotion-Trait Interrelations and the Measurement of Personality

Abstract

To relate personality concepts to emotion concepts 12 personality trait items were selected on the basis of explicit criteria to represent the trait universe. These terms were paired in all possible combinations and used as a self-report personality test. The scoring categories, however, were based on a theory of emotion which assumes that personality traits can be conceptualized as mixtures of primary emotions. Since the primary emotions are conceived in terms of polar opposites the theory is able to specify the relative degree of conflict implied by each personality trait. The test was given to 3 groups of women equated for IQ, age and income but varying in degree of maladjustment. Two of the groups were hospitalized patients. Results showed that the groups varied significantly in the frequency of choices of high- and low-conflict traits according to theory. Each group had a distinctive emotion profile. An example of the clinical use of the test is given.