Before describing the major modern trait and type theories of personality the following key terms must be defined; trait, type and personality. A personality trait represents a continuous dimension and can be defined as a broad, stable and enduring characteristic which is used to explain behaviour (Phares&Chaplin, 1997). A personality type is defined by Lefton, (2000 p. 708} as a "personality category in which broad collections of traits are loosely tied together and interrelated" and which people …showed first 75 words of 1610 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1610 total…often used as broad statements and traits as narrow statements and can co-exist together in a hierarchy theory, however traits do not explain how or why an individual developed a particular trait. Therefore no one of the theories discussed can be considered as the definitive theory to explaining and describing the concept of personality but all of these theories have contributed to the body of scientific knowledge, and increased our understanding of the human personality.