Find over 25,000 psychological definitions


trait theory

approaches that explain personality in terms of internal characteristics that are presumed to determine behavior. Some examples are Allport’s personality trait theory, Cattell’s personality trait theory, and the five-factor personality model.

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

October 11th 2024

talent

talent

n. an innate skill or ability, or an aptitude to excel in one or more specific activities or subject areas. Talent cannot be accounted for by normal development patterns and is often not maximized, as its nurturance requires time, energy, sacrifice, dedication, and resources from parents, mentors, and the talented person. Ideal circumstances for the development of a talent include enjoyment of the talent for its own sake and a clear perception of how it can be exploited to fulfill the individual’s long-term aspirations. —talented adj.