Surface traits in psychology are best defined as what?

Surface traits in psychology refer to personality traits that are observable and can be inferred from an individual's behavior. These traits are typically the visible aspects of a person's personality that others can easily recognize. For example, if someone is outgoing, friendly, and talkative, these characteristics would be considered surface traits.

The concept contrasts with source traits, which are deeper, underlying traits that are not immediately visible and require more in-depth analysis to uncover. Surface traits serve as indicators of the more complex inner workings of a person's personality, making them essential for understanding how individuals present themselves in social situations.

The focus on observable behavior in defining surface traits emphasizes the importance of external cues in psychological assessments and the ways that people interpret personality based on visible actions and expressions.