Cardinal Trait

A cardinal trait is a pervasive characteristic that it becomes the individual’s identity. For instance, “kindness” is embodied by Mother Theresa while “ruthlessness dictator” is usually associated with Hitler. Other examples are popular descriptions such as “Christ-like (from Jesus Christ), Machiavellian (from Machiavelli), and narcissistic (from Narcissus)”. This term was developed by Gordon Allport, the father of personality theory. Allport furthered that not all people have cardinal traits as only several people have highly encompassing single attributes.