Individual Differences in Personality: trait based versus state based approaches

Abstract

The paper examines two major experimental approaches to the study of personality that are proving of value within education. The first of these, the trait based approach, is associated particularly with the work of H. J. Eysenck, and the paper surveys recent experimental findings that link aspects of Eysenck's personality dimensions in a number of interrelated and complex ways with educational performance and (particularly through the P dimension) with creativity. The paper then examines some of the criticisms levelled at trait based theories and suggests how the second approach to personality, the state based approach, may avoid certain of them. The work respectively of Bloom, of Thomas and of Apter within the state based approach is then detailed, and the implications of this work for future educational research discussed.