trait and states

• Trait


  -          enduring dimensions of personality characteristics along which people differ, thus it distinguishes the qualities of characteristics of a person

  -          refers to the readiness to think or act in a similar fashion in response to a variety of different stimuli or situations

  -          assumes that people differ on variables or dimensions that are continuous
• States


  -          considered as a temporary alteration of one’s personality

  -          people are seen to be different in the amounts or quantities of a characteristic rather than differ in the quality of their characteristic