Editing Trait theory (section)

== Trait theory in cross-cultural use ==
Cultures are widely known and accepted as being different in varying degrees. This can make the study of personality difficult as meaning and the expression of traits may be different within cultural groups. Trait theory uses a hierarchy of traits in order to separate culture from the traits; it can be said the culture is ignored in order to focus on the individual traits and how they are connected to the individual.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last1=Marsella|last2= Dubanoski|last3= Hamada|last4= Morse|first1=Anthony J.|first2= Joan|first3= Winter C. |first4=Heather|date=2000|title=The measurement of personality across cultures: Historical conceptual, and methodological issues and considerations|journal=American Behavioral Scientist|volume=44 |issue=1|pages=41–62|doi=10.1177/00027640021956080|s2cid=144260384|name-list-style=vanc}}</ref> Gordon Allport's trait theory not only served as a foundational approach within personality psychology, but also is continued to be viewed and discussed by other disciplines such as anthropology because of how he approached culture within trait theory.<ref name=":1" />

Trait theory tends to focus on the individual over the situation in which they are in.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Mischel|first1=Walter|last2=Shoda|first2=Yuichi|date=1998-02-01|title=Reconciling processing dynamics and personality dispositions|journal=Annual Review of Psychology|volume=49|issue=1|pages=229–258|doi=10.1146/annurev.psych.49.1.229|pmid=9496625|issn=0066-4308|name-list-style=vanc}}</ref> This focus has relaxed within modern studies allowing for a consideration of the external factors outside of the self. As the focus becomes more relaxed (but still prominent as it is a main part of the theory) research expands.