In his quest to understand the basic structure of personality, Cattell relied heavily on

A) the idiographic approach.
B) factor analysis.
C) the examination of central traits.
D) case studies.

Factor Analysis

A statistical method used to describe variability among observed, correlated variables in terms of a potentially lower number of unobserved variables, called factors.

Basic Structure

The fundamental arrangement or framework of something, outlining its essential parts and their relationships.

Cattell

Refers to Raymond Cattell, a psychologist known for his pioneering work in personality theory, including the development of the 16 personality factors model.