Ms. Muskan Sethi
Introduction to Personality
Assistant Professor
School of Liberal Arts
(SOLA)
K. R. Mangalam University
Unit IV
Models of Personality
1
Objective
This unit is designed to enable you to:
Explain and describe the structure and key domains of the Five-
Factor Model of Personality and Zuckerman’s Alternative Five
Factor Model.
Analyze how different personality traits are linked with patterns of
behavior, emotions, and interpersonal functioning.
Critically differentiate between Western models (e.g., Five Factor
models) and Indian perspectives such as Triguna Theory of
Personality and the Ancient Model of Personality by Upanishads.
Illustrate how these personality models can be used to understand
individual differences in personal, social, and occupational settings.
Examine the significance and applicability of indigenous
personality models in the Indian cultural context compared to
Western frameworks.
2
Sessions Overview
Session 46: Introduction to Personality Models
Session 47: Five-Factor Model (FFM): Introduction and Domains
Session 48: Behavioural Correlates of the Big Five Traits
Session 49: Cross-Cultural Validity of the FFM
Session 50: Zuckerman’s Alternative Five Factor Model
Session 51: Biological Basis of Zuckerman’s Model
Session 52: Tri-Guna Theory of Personality
Session 53: Case Applications of Tri-Guna in Daily Life
Session 54: Ancient Model of Personality by Upanishads
Session 55: Comparative Analysis: Western vs Indian Personality
Models
3
Ms Muskan Sethi Introduction Intrducion to Personality
Session 46
Introduction to Personality Models
4
Overview
Intro to the Big Five
History & Development
Measurement
Application and Significant
Associations
What are the “Big Five”?
Five broad traits or dimensions used
to describe personality
Conceptual framework used to classify
lower-level personality constructs
Integration of personality research
Most commonly used model Five-
Factor Model (FFM) developed by
Costa & McCrae
Who are some of the researchers?
Allport & Odbert
Cattell
Tupes & Christal
Goldberg
Costa & McCrae
Eysenck
How can you study the invisible?
Lexical hypothesis- The most
important and salient human
behaviors will be:
Represented in all languages
Have several nuanced synonyms
Questionnaire approach- Factor
analyses of existing “tests”
Physiological approach-
Emotions/actions depend upon
biology, classify “traits” by physical
responses
Allport & Odbert
Often credited as being the first to
use the lexical approach to define
personality.
Combed through the English
dictionary- obtained 17000 traits
which could be reduced to about
4500 “nonjudgmental”
characteristics.
Cattell
Reduced the list into “clusters” of
traits by a rating scheme.
Had participants rate the similarity
of adjectives.
Used factor analysis to derive
bipolar pairs of traits.
16 PF scale
Tupes & Christal
Air Force Researchers
Trained individuals in rating
personality using Cattell’s trait
measure
Factor analysis suggested that only
5 traits were predominant
Costa & McCrae
Used the questionnaire approach
Examined several existing assessment
tools- (MBTI, clinical tests, Jung)
Somewhat intuitively consolidated traits
Ask participants to describe self/target
(sentences vs single adjectives)
Factor Analysis
First found E & N, followed by O.
A & C adopted as there was “some evidence”
and it fit with the 5 factors of Goldberg
Eysenck
Physiological method
Alternative viewpoint
Only 3 Traits really exist
Psychotiscism/Socialisation (A&C)
Extraversion/Introversion
Neuroticism/Stability
O- “intelligence” which is best left to
another measure such as an IQ test
Factor I- Extraversion
High Pole
Active
Assertive
Seek Stimulation
Outgoing
Talkative
Energetic
Low Pole
Reserved
Quiet
Shy
Unexpressive
Factor II- Neuroticism*
High Pole
Anxious
Self-pitying
Tense
Touchy
Worrying
Low Pole
Calm
Stable
Relaxed
Positive
Factor III- Openness to experience
High Pole
Artistic
Curious
Imaginative
Insightful
Original
Cultured
Low Pole
Traditional
Simple
Routine
Factor IV- Agreeableness
High Pole
Appreciative
Forgiving
Generous
Kind
Trusting
Low Pole
Cold
Aggressive
Uncaring
Factor V- Conscientiousness
High Pole
Efficient
Organized
Reliable
Attentive to detail
Low Pole
Lazy
Careless
Frivolous
Outside the Big Five?
Paunonen & Jackson
Religious, devout, reverent.07
Sly, deceptive, manipulative .13
Honest, ethical, moral .11
Sexy, sensual, erotic .13
Thrifty, frugal, miserly.16
Conservative, traditional, down-to-earth.15
Masculine-feminine.13
Egotistical, conceited, snobbish.16
Humorous, witty, amusing.13
Measuring Big 5 Personality Traits
NEI-PI-R – (Costa & McCrea, 1992)
Also referred to as the revised NEO personality
inventory
First Published in the 80s
NEI-PI-R represents the most recent revision
of the instrument
NEO-4 was derived by dropping the
components of the instrument related to
neuroticism “for use in situations such as
(career planning, career development,
employee training, personnel development,
etc…)
“one of the few commercially available tests
based on this (Five Factor) model of
personality”
The Revised NEO Personality
Inventory
Formats:
Self Report (Form S) 240 items (roughly 35
minutes)
Observer Report (Form R) 240 items
Short Form (NEO –FFI) 60 items, self report
Measurement
Each Domain (factor) is measured in terms of
6 more specific facets (sub factors) e.g.
Extroversion is composed of: Warmth,
Gregariousness, Assertiveness, Activity,
Excitement Seeking, Positive Emotions (Costa
& McCrea, 1995)
Item Example: E5 Excitement Seeking
“Have sometimes done things just for “kicks”
or “thrills” SA-SD
The Revised NEO Personality
Inventory
Psychometric Considerations
Factor Reliabilities range from .86-.95 for both
the self and observer report formats
Validity:
Multiple studies have demonstrated strong
convergent and discriminate validity both
between formats and when compared with
other measures of five-factor constructs (see
next slide)
“The NEO-PI-R is a reliable and well-validated
test of personality features…Validation studies
are well constructed, plentiful, and impressive,
yielding an instrument that represents a
comprehensive operational translation of the
Five Factor Model of personality.” (Juni, 1995)
Validity Evidence
More Validity Data
The Revised NEO Personality
Inventory
Norms
“Norms are based on a sample of 1,000
subjects (500 males, 500 females)
selected from three large scale studies of
the NEO-PI-R. The normative sample was
stratified to match 1995 U.S
This constitutes an advantage over
normative data associated with previous
versions of the instrument which were less
representative.
Separate norms are also provided for
college-aged samples based on findings
that adolescent and early adult samples
Criticisms of the NEI-PI-R
(Juni, 1995)
Some items labeled (and employed) as
self report can be more accurately called
“reports of others’ perceptions of self”
(how do you think others see you)
Some items are not limited a single facet
Some items include qualifiers that
influence respondents to endorse the item
Some debate regarding necessary reading
level (supposedly 6
th
grade) i.e.
“perceptive of interpersonal cues” or
“concerned with philosophical debates”
Other Measures of Big 5 Traits
Big Five Inventory (BFI)
Composed of 44 short phrase items
(John & Srivastava, 1999)
Trait Description Adjectives
Composed of 100 trait description
adjectives
(Goldberg, 1992)
Application and Significant
Associations
Barrick, M. R., & Mount, M. K. (1991).
The Big Five personality dimensions and
job performance: A meta-analysis.
Personnel Psychology, 44 (1), 1-26.
Reviewed the results of 117 criterion-
related validity studies conducted
between 1952 & 1988
Studies were organized by measurement
criteria (i.e. Turnover/Tenure) and
occupational group (i.e. Police)
Barrick, M. R., & Mount, M. K. (1991). The Big Five personality
dimensions and job performance: A meta-analysis. Personnel
Psychology, 44 (1), 1-26.
Results
Conscientiousness was the most consistently valid
predictor of all relevant criteria across all occupation
types (However adjusted mean correlations were
pretty weak r = .09-.15)
Interesting note: strongest r’s tended to occur
when criteria were more subjective (i.e.
supervisory ratings)
What does this tell us about the predictive utility
of this construct?
Extraversion predicted best for Management and
Sales positions
Barrick, M. R., & Mount, M. K. (1991). The Big Five personality
dimensions and job performance: A meta-analysis. Personnel
Psychology, 44, 1-26.
Results Continued
Openness to Experience demonstrated
some predictive validity to measures of
training proficiency
Agreeableness and Neuroticism were
largely irrelevant to the prediction of
various aspects of job performance
although some evidence suggests that
they contribute to performance in group
settings
Dudley, N., Orvis, K., Lebiecki, J., & Cortina, J.
(2006)
Meta Analysis investigating the degree to
which narrow subcomponents of
conscientiousness predict above and
beyond more global measures of the
construct
Considered 4 most commonly measured
facets of the construct (achievement,
dependability, order, & cautiousness)
Only included studies that utilized more
modern instruments
Dudley, N., Orvis, K., Lebiecki, J.,
& Cortina, J. (2006)
Results
Global Conscientiousness tended to
outperform its subcomponents when
predicting most relevant criteria
Mean r with Overall Job Performance = .15
Mean r with Interpersonal Facilitation =.11
Mean r with Task Performance = .10
Mean r with Counterproductive Work
Behavior = -.16
Mean r with Job Dedication = .12 *
Salgado, J F. (2002) The Big Five Personality Dimensions and
Counterproductive Behaviors. International Journal of Selection
and Measurement. (10) 117-125.
Conducted a meta-analysis of studies
investigating the relationship of the big five to
counterproductive work behaviors
Results
Conscientiousness predicted deviant
behaviors and turnover
Emotional Stability (N) and
Conscientiousness were the strongest
predictors of turnover
No good prediction of Absenteeism or
Accidents
The Big Five & Leadership
Judge et al. (2002) studied the Big 5 traits and
their relationship to leadership emergence and
leadership success
Found that Extroversion and (Surprise Surprise)
Conscientiousness predicted leader emergence
Transformation Leadership = relatively new theory
of leadership
Defined in terms of a leader’s ability to inspire
followers to adopt less self-serving values
Most closely associated with agreeableness
Does not ensure leader effectiveness
Quick Review
The Revised NEO personality inventory
Most likely to see in applied settings
Psychometrically sound
Good validity evidence
Conscientiousness is the best predictor of
work-related outcomes although it still a
pretty weak predictor
Some evidence suggests that big five
personality factors are relevant to the
prediction of leadership
Question
If asked by your employer to give
your professional opinion, what
would you say about the utility of
the big five for use in applied
settings (i.e. selection decisions)?