You can have any amount (small, medium, large) on any factor, or any mix of them" (Overview personality: Categorical vs. dimensional models [PDF File], n.d.). A good example of a categorical model is the personality disorder clusters. Cluster A is comprised of "Odd or eccentric," paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal, personality disorders. Cluster B is comprised of "Dramatic, emotional, erratic, antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic, personality disorders. Cluster C is comprised of "Fearful or anxious," avoidant, dependent and obsessive-compulsive, personality disorders. (Overview personality: Categorical vs. dimensional models [PDF File], …show more content…
The two competing models, dimensional and categorical, integrates to inform new diagnostic criteria for personality disorders in DSM-5. For example, according to Trull, T. J. & Widiger, T.A, "the classification of personality disorder is shifting toward a dimensional trait model and, more specifically, the five-factor model (FFM)" (2013). The Five-Factor Model was used to "provide alternative means to conceptualize and diagnose personality disorders," (Trull & Widiger, 2013). Trull and Widiger proposed four steps to diagnosing a personality disorder. The first step is to "obtain an FFM description of the person" (Trull & Widiger, 2013). When it means to "obtain an FFM description," you'll have to classify the individual into low or high scores for each five basic dimensions. The second step to diagnosing a personality disorder is to "identify the maladaptive traits that are associated with elevations on any respective facet of the FFM" (Trull & Widiger, 2013). The third step to diagnosing a personality disorder is to determine if your findings from step one and two is clinically significant enough for you to determine a diagnosis (Trull & Widiger, 2013). The fourth step to diagnosing a personality disorder is to match the "individual personality to the FFM profile" (Trull & Widiger,