Final answer:
Instrumental traits are goal-oriented, like assertiveness, whereas expressive traits are related to emotional and interpersonal activities, like nurturance. A significant portion of these traits is influenced by culture and gender roles, although exact percentages are difficult to determine.
Step-by-step explanation:
Instrumental and Expressive Traits
Instrumental traits, also known as task-oriented traits, are characteristics associated with goal orientation and accomplishing tasks. This includes traits such as being independent, assertive, and competitive. On the other hand, expressive traits are associated with emotion, care for others, and interpersonal activities, exemplified by being nurturing, emotional, and cooperative.
The percentage of these traits believed to be due to culture/gender roles varies significantly. Some trait theorists suggest that these traits can be heavily influenced by societal norms and expectations. Hence, although it is challenging to provide a precise percentage, much of what is considered instrumental or expressive can indeed be attributed to cultural conditioning and gender socialization.
Understanding that cultural influences on personality are significant is vital, especially since these constructs can differ widely between cultures. For instance, the perceived appropriateness of certain traits can be heavily dependent on cultural background and societal expectations.