PsychologyAugust 24, 2026

monotrait

MON-oh-trayt

Definition

Referring to a single trait, characteristic, or attribute being measured or analyzed, often used in statistical contexts to assess the validity of a scale.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'monos' (single) and the Latin 'tractus' (drawn or pulled), this term combines these roots to describe something possessing only one feature or attribute.

In the news

In this article, 'monotrait' appears within the term 'heterotrait-monotrait ratio' (HTMT), a statistical criterion used to ensure that the questionnaire scales effectively distinguish between different concepts rather than measuring the same thing.

The psychological pathways to maritime English motivation: need satisfaction, frustration, and learning outcomes

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