With reference to the Trait Theory of personality propounded by Gordon Allport, into how many categories did he classify traits, and what is the primary characteristic of a 'Cardinal Trait'?

Gordon Allport's Trait Theory

Gordon Allport categorized personality traits into three distinct levels: Cardinal, Central, and Secondary traits.

• Cardinal Traits: These are exceptionally dominant and pervasive traits that shape an individual's entire life and behavior (e.g., Mahatma Gandhi's trait of 'non-violence'). They become the defining characteristic of a person's identity.
• Central Traits: General characteristics that form the basic foundations of personality.
• Secondary Traits: Traits that are more situational and less consistent, appearing only under specific circumstances.