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Related Concept Videos

Self-Report Tests of Personality01:22

Self-Report Tests of Personality

Self-report inventories are objective personality assessments that use multiple-choice items or numbered scales, typically ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). They are often called Likert scales after Rensis Likert. These inventories are widely used due to their ease of administration and cost-effectiveness. One of the most prominent examples is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), initially developed in the 1940s to assess abnormal personality traits.
Personality Theory by Eysenck and Eysenck01:29

Personality Theory by Eysenck and Eysenck

Hans and Sybil Eysenck developed a widely recognized theory of personality, which emphasizes the role of temperament and genetically based differences in shaping individual traits. Their theory posits that biological factors primarily determine personality and can be understood through two main dimensions: extroversion/introversion and neuroticism/stability.
In the extroversion/introversion dimension, highly extroverted people are sociable, outgoing, and easily connect with others. In contrast,...
Introduction to Personality Psychology01:29

Introduction to Personality Psychology

Personality encompasses a set of enduring traits and behavioral patterns that define how individuals think, feel, and interact, ultimately shaping their unique identities. The concept of personality has deep historical roots, deriving from the Latin term "persona," which means "mask." This term initially referred to the roles played by actors in ancient theater, signifying the different facets individuals display in various contexts.
Early Theories of Personality
The study of personality dates...
Cattell's 16 Personality Factors01:24

Cattell's 16 Personality Factors

Raymond Cattell's trait theory offers a structured framework for understanding personality by distinguishing between two critical traits: surface and source traits. Surface traits are observable patterns of behavior, such as indecisiveness, anxiety, and irrational fears. These traits are less stable, varying across situations and over time. This means that they are less helpful in understanding the deeper aspects of an individual's personality.
In contrast, source traits are the fundamental,...
The Behavioral Perspective on Personality01:19

The Behavioral Perspective on Personality

Behaviorists view personality as primarily shaped by environmental reinforcements and consequences. According to this perspective, behavior is influenced by external stimuli, and individuals adjust their actions based on rewards and punishments. Over time, learning histories — accumulated patterns of reinforcement — play a significant role in shaping personality. Behaviors that lead to positive outcomes are reinforced, while those resulting in negative outcomes are diminished. Radical...
Naturalistic Observations02:30

Naturalistic Observations

If you want to understand how behavior occurs, one of the best ways to gain information is to simply observe the behavior in its natural context. However, people might change their behavior in unexpected ways if they know they are being observed. How do researchers obtain accurate information when people tend to hide their natural behavior? As an example, imagine that your professor asks everyone in your class to raise their hand if they always wash their hands after using the restroom. Chances...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

Assessment of Social Cognition in Non-human Primates Using a Network of Computerized Automated Learning Device (ALDM) Test Systems
08:42

Assessment of Social Cognition in Non-human Primates Using a Network of Computerized Automated Learning Device (ALDM) Test Systems

Published on: May 5, 2015

Developing a comprehensive and comparative questionnaire for measuring personality in chimpanzees using a

Hani D Freeman1, Sarah F Brosnan, Lydia M Hopper

  • 1Lester E. Fisher Center, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL 60614, USA. hfreeman@lpzoo.org

American Journal of Primatology
|June 5, 2013
PubMed
Summary

A new personality scale for chimpanzees (chimpanzees) was developed using a combined approach. This scale reliably measures five key personality factors, aiding cross-species comparisons and animal welfare.

Keywords:
agreeablenesschimpanzeesdominanceextraversionopennesspersonality

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Last Updated: May 10, 2026

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Area of Science:

  • Primatology
  • Comparative Psychology
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Measuring primate personality is crucial for understanding behavior and welfare.
  • Existing methods (top-down, bottom-up) have limitations in cross-species applicability and specificity.
  • A novel approach is needed to create a comprehensive and comparable personality assessment for chimpanzees.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and validate a new personality rating scale for chimpanzees using a combined top-down/bottom-up design.
  • To identify and confirm the primary personality factors in chimpanzees.
  • To establish a framework for cross-species personality comparisons and inform welfare efforts.

Main Methods:

  • A 41-item personality scale was created using a combined top-down/bottom-up strategy.
  • Seventeen raters assessed 99 chimpanzees on the scale, achieving high inter-rater reliability.
  • Principal components analysis (varimax and direct oblimin rotations) was employed to identify personality factors.

Main Results:

  • Six broad personality factors were identified, with strong evidence for five: Reactivity/Undependability, Dominance, Openness, Extraversion, and Agreeableness.
  • The identified factors demonstrated good convergent and predictive validity when compared against independent behavioral data.
  • The study provides robust evidence for the existence of these five personality factors in chimpanzees.

Conclusions:

  • The combined top-down/bottom-up approach successfully yielded a reliable and valid personality scale for chimpanzees.
  • The five validated personality factors offer a robust framework for understanding chimpanzee personality and facilitating cross-species comparisons.
  • This research contributes to the study of personality evolution and aids in practical applications for chimpanzee husbandry and welfare.