Abstract

COMMENTARIES Trait Theory as Personality Theory: Can a Part Be as Great as the Whole? Seymour Epstein University of Massachusetts, Amherst Pervin has performed a valuable service by examin- sons listed by Pervin. Included are the following, not ing an important and timely issue-the sufficiency of necessarily independent, limitations of trait theories- trait theory (and, more specifically, Big Five trait the- limitations inherent in a purely descriptive approach, ory) as a general theory of personality. At the very least, limitations inherent in a nomothetic approach, limita- he has framed the important issues for debate. tions inherent in a psychometric approach, and limita- Recently, there has been a great deal of headiness tions inherent in an empirical, atheoretical approach. among some trait theorists-instigated by impress- ive, convergent evidence that five fundamental traits Limitations of a Descriptive Approach - organize a great deal of the descriptive domain of personality. The enthusiasm has fostered extravagant I can best illustrate the limitations of a purely de- claims by some that the Big Five has laid bare the scriptive approach with the following story. Once upon structure of personality and provided the basis for a a time, there was a psychologist, Sam, who decided