Abstract
This paper investigates gender differences in personality traits, both at the level of the Big Five and at the sublevel of two aspects within each Big Five domain. Replicating previous findings, women reported higher Big Five Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism scores than men. However, more extensive gender differences were found at the level of the aspects, with significant gender differences appearing in both aspects of every Big Five trait. For Extraversion, Openness, and Conscientiousness, the gender differences were found to diverge at the aspect level, rendering them either small or undetectable at the Big Five level. These findings clarify the nature of gender differences in personality and highlight the utility of measuring personality at the aspect level.
Highlights
IntroductionMen and women belong to different species and communications between them is still in its infancy
Men and women belong to different species and communications between them is still in its infancy. – Bill CosbyMany people, including Bill Cosby, perceive the differences between men and women to be large – so large, that communication between genders may be difficult
Results were consistent with previous analyses, with significant effects found at the level of the Big Five domains of Neuroticism, Agreeableness, and Extraversion, but not Conscientiousness or Openness
Summary
Men and women belong to different species and communications between them is still in its infancy. Many people, including Bill Cosby, perceive the differences between men and women to be large – so large, that communication between genders may be difficult. Whether the underlying causes of psychological gender differences are evolutionary or socio-cultural, understanding how men and women differ in the ways in which they think, feel, and behave can shed light on the human condition. Personality is often conceptualized as the extent to which someone displays high or low levels of specific traits. Someone who scores high on a trait will exhibit psychological states related to that trait more often and to a greater extent than individuals who score low on that trait
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