Johanna is almost always nasty to people. She talks about others behind their backs, looks for ways to undercut classmates, and intentionally does things to impede other’s success. Virtually everyone she knows eventually grows to dislike her, often citing her nastiness as the reason why they don’t want to be around her. According to Allport, this negativity seems to be a(n) ________ trait for Johanna.
A) tertiary
B) secondary
C) central
D) cardinal
D) cardinal
According to Gordon Allport’s trait theory, cardinal traits are the dominant traits that shape a person’s behavior and personality. These traits are all-consuming, pervasive, and often exhibited in every aspect of a person’s life. In this scenario, Johanna’s negative behavior towards others seems to be a cardinal trait, as it is the dominant trait that shapes her behavior and personality. Her tendency to be nasty, talk about others behind their backs, undercut classmates, and intentionally impede others’ success is all-consuming and pervasive, leading almost everyone she knows to dislike her. Therefore, Johanna’s negative behavior towards others can be considered a cardinal trait according to Allport’s theory.