Scalar Equivalence of OPQ32

Abstract

Scalar equivalence of Big Five scale scores, derived from OPQ32i data, for over one million people are reviewed in terms of differences between 31 countries involving over 20 different languages. Strong relationships are found between country average scale scores and country standard deviations ( SDs), on the one hand, and two of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, on the other. Country SDs are also seen to vary with cultural “tightness” ratings. Country-level performance indicators are also examined (the World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Index and UN Human Development indices). Strong correlations are found between these indicators and both country-level mean personality scores and SDs of personality scores. While Hofstede’s dimensions also predict variation in global competitiveness ( R = 0.66), adding OPQ32 Big Five personality scale data increases the level of prediction to R = 0.84. It is argued that the strength of these relationships with independent country-level metrics supports the view that between-country differences represent true score variance rather than systematic instrument-related biases.