Cardinal Dispositions

I'll be using the idea of "cardinal dispositions" differently from the way Gordon Allport used it. Allport is describing personal traits that only specific individuals would actually have. My "cardinal dispositions" are the defining parts of the type constructs and represent the "basic traits" of the types. Individuals could actually have the "cardinal dispositions," but their main use is to define the types.

The sixteen cardinal dispositions could be used to fashion a 16 factor dimensional profile.

The Cardinal Dispositions
Conscientiousness Sensitivity Vigilance Drama	Aggressiveness Idiosyncrasy Inventiveness Solitariness	Leisureliness Seriousness Self-Sacrifice Devotedness	Self-Confidence Adventurousness Mercuriality Artistry

The Cardinal Dispositions function as the "basic traits" of the types. According to Schwartz, Wiggins, and Norko, ideal types are "unified thought-constructs" which simplify and organize the various features of real things. "The various features of real things may exhibit no apparent connectedness or unity; as simply phenomenally given, they may appear to be unconnected and disordered" (426). The "individual phenomena" (quoting Max Weber) may be "diffuse" and "discrete." "Nevertheless, in defining ideal types, we try to 'synthesize' these features together into a 'unified thought-construct' or concept. This means that the scientist imagines connections among the features of reality, although these postulated connections may not be phenomenally apparent" (426).

An ideal type defines a unified whole of which the various features are interrelated parts (426). The "basic trait" is the unified concept which provides the connections of meaning among the manifold traits of the type. "The basic trait ... does not unify the others by functioning as some kind of 'ultimate cause' or 'source' of them. The basic trait is not an underlying reality that produces the other traits as its effects, but the conceptual whole of which the other traits are parts. The other traits are thus partial traits of it. There is no real difference between the basic trait and the others; each of the other traits is the basic trait, but in particularized form" (427).

Schwartz, M. A., Wiggins, O. P. & Norko, M. A., (1995). Prototypes, ideal types, and personality disorders: the return to classical phenomenology. In Livesley, W. John, (Ed.), The DSM-IV Personality Disorders (pp. 417-432). New York: Guilford.

On Allport's idea of "cardinal dispositions":

"Cardinal dispositions are considered to be an eminent characteristic or ruling passion so outstanding that it dominates their lives. They are so obvious that they cannot be hidden; nearly every action in a person’s life revolves around one cardinal disposition. Few people have cardinal dispositions, but everyone has several central dispositions, which includes 5 to10 most outstanding characteristics around which a person’s life focuses. Allport described central dispositions as those that would be listed in an accurate letter of recommendation written by someone who knew the person quite well. Allport believed that 5 to 10 central dispositions that our friends and close acquaintances would agree are descriptive of our personality. A less conspicuous but far greater in number than central dispositions are the secondary dispositions. Everyone has many secondary dispositions, which are not central to the personality but are responsible for much of one’s specific behaviors (Allport, 1961)" (Jan McDougal).

McDougal.leg
http://www.psychology.sbc.edu/mcdougal.htm

allport
http://www.kentangen.com/teach/personality/unit2/allport.htm

http://bss.sfsu.edu/leroux/PSY451/2003%20FALL/Lecture%20Note/110303AlportReview.doc

http://www.psychology.ilstu.edu/mjsteven/PSY233/SG2.html

Trait Theories
http://comp.uark.edu/~nlwilli/406ho4.htm

http://www.psych.umn.edu/courses ...

Theories of Personality | Chapter Outline
http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072316799/...

Trait Theories
lsxOjnsnkocJ:mentor.lscf.ucsb.edu/course/summer/psyc114/PSY_114_Traits.doc

Aristotle on Self-Discipline

Virtue Ethics