What is a trait of personality?

Abstract

Traits, although appropriated by all manner of writers for all manner of purposes, may still be salvaged, and limited in their reference to a certain definite conception of a generalized response-unit in which resides the distinctive quality of behavior that reflects personality. Eight criteria are given to define a trait and to state the logic and some of the evidence for the admission of this concept to good standing in psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1931 American Psychological Association.