REDEFINING TRAITS

The classic conception of traits as person attributes (i.e. diagnostic descriptions of personality) is criticized. A new conception which em phasizes that traits are also involved in the description of non-diagn ostic events, such as inner states is proposed. This approach is based on Alien and Potkay's idea on the arbitrary distinction between state s and traits. It is proposed that traits are linked to personality des cription because of their dominant use and not because of their intrin sic meaning. This dominant use is socially determined and this phenome non should be investigated. Such a conception raises new social issues based on the study of social determinants in the function of traits.