Agreeableness and its Consequences: A Quantitative Review of Meta-Analytic Findings

Abstract

Agreeableness impacts people and real-world outcomes. In the most comprehensive quantitative review to date, we summarize results from 133 meta-analyses reporting effects for 275 variables, which represent N > 1.8 million participants from k > 3,600 studies. Arranging variables by their content and type, we use an organizational framework of 16 conceptual categories that presents a detailed account of Agreeableness’ external relations. Overall, the trait has effects in a desirable direction for 93% of variables (grand mean ? = .16). Using these empirical findings, in tandem with existing theory, we synthesize 8 general themes that describe the characteristic functioning of Agreeableness: Self-transcendence, contentment, relational investment, teamworking, work investment, lower results emphasis, social norm orientation, and social integration. Accordingly, Agreeableness is a human capital characteristic that is critical to creating a better world together. We close by discussing potential boundary conditions of findings, contributions and limitations, and future research directions.