Synonyms
Definition
The term “ability traits” is generally associated with British psychologist, Raymond Cattell, who distinguished ability traits from dynamic traits (motivations) and temperament traits. Cattell conceptualized ability traits as cognitive traits (e.g., mathematical, creative, practical, verbal) that assisted people in solving complex problems and progressing toward goals.
Introduction
The word “trait” is most typically used in the context of personality characteristics. However, intellectual abilities are also trait-like, in that they are relatively stable individual characteristics that vary between people.
Cattell is well known for his 16-factor personality model and the associated 16PF personality questionnaire. His inclusion of a cognitive ability trait within his personality model and its associated measure is unusual. Widely used personality inventories today (e.g., Big Five Inventory, HEXACO-PI-R, and NEO-PI-R) do...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
References
Ashton, M. C., Lee, K., & Visser, B. A. (2014). Higher-order g versus blended variable models of mental ability: Comment on Hampshire, Highfield, Parkin, and Owen (2012). Personality and Individual Differences, 60, 3–7.
Cattell, R. B. (1946). Personality structure and measurement II. The determination and utility of trait modality. British Journal of Psychology, 36, 159–174.
Carroll, J. B. (1993). Human cognitive abilities: A survey of factor-analytic studies. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Gardner, H. (1983). Frames of mind. New York: BasicBooks.
Gottfredson, L. S. (2003). Dissecting practical intelligence theory: Its claims and evidence. Intelligence, 31, 343–397.
Hampshire, A., Highfield, R. R., Parkin, B. L., & Owen, A. M. (2012). Fractioning human intelligence. Neuron, 76, 1225–1237.
Horn, J. L., & Cattell, R. B. (1966). Refinement and test of the theory of fluid and crystallized general intelligences. Journal of Educational Psychology, 57, 254–270.
Spearman, C. (1904). “General intelligence”, objectively defined and measured. American Journal of Psychology, 15, 201–292.
Sternberg, R. J. (1997). Successful intelligence. New York: Plume.
Thurstone, L. L. (1938). Primary mental abilities. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Thurstone, L. L. (1947). Multiple-factor analysis: A development and extension of the vectors of mind. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Undheim, J. O., & Gustafsson, J. (1987). The hierarchical organization of cognitive abilities: Restoring general intelligence through the use of Linear Structural Relations (LISREL). Multivariate Behavioral Research, 22, 149–171.
Visser, B. A., Ashton, M. C., & Vernon, P. A. (2006). Beyond g: Putting multiple intelligences theory to the test. Intelligence, 34, 487–502.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Section Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2016 Springer International Publishing AG
About this entry
Cite this entry
Visser, B.A. (2016). Ability Traits. In: Zeigler-Hill, V., Shackelford, T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_1040-1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28099-8_1040-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-28099-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-28099-8
eBook Packages: Springer Reference Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences