Question

Why is the statistical approach (with factor analysis) for personality research the most valid approach compared to theoretical and lexical approach?

Answer 1

A statistical approach is obviously based o mathematical formulas and figures which is the best way to come to any conclusion or theory in real life. While talking about other experiments or thesis which are mainly based on theoretical or lexical approach, there might be some cases where this is the appropriate method to come to conclusion or prove something but personality research cannot be done by this method.

Personality research is a study where we examine important issues which are in the field of personality and behavior related fields to come to a general understanding of the personality of the subject.

It includes the treatments of behavior related aspects, physiological aspects, genetics, inheritance, cognitive, social, and way of interacting with other, the way subject lives in his life, his basic traits, etc. The subject can be human or animal both.  

Such studies cannot be done only on in the theoretical and lexical approach, there have to be some rigid and tough calculations or the facts which should be taken into consideration, verbal decisions are based on assumptions, instead on assuming the tests should be based on some specific data which can only be achieved by the factor analysis with statistical approach.