Further Evidence of the Impact of Cognitive Complexity on the Five-Factor Model

Abstract

According to the five-factor model (FFM) of personality the same 5 factors are universal across all individuals. However, recent evidence suggests that this assumption may be incorrect (Bowler, Bowler, & Phillips, 2009). In this study we sought to further examine the impact of cognitive complexity on the FFM by evaluating its impact on the factor structure of Saucier's (1994) Mini-Markers. Overall, our results support the findings of Bowler et al. (2009). Individuals with below average levels of cognitive complexity display personalities that are best described by a 3-factor model and individuals with above average levels of cognitive complexity display personalities that are best described by a 6- rather than a 7-factor model. Implications of the appropriateness of the FFM are discussed.