Narrow Traits Research Articles

Assessing Jealousy: Factor Analyses, Measurement Invariance, Nomological Validity, and Longitudinal APIM Analyses of the Multidimensional Jealousy Scale.

The Multidimensional Jealousy Scale is the standard instrument to assess cognitive, emotional, and behavioral jealousy. We examined competing factor models and external correlations with broad and narrow traits. Across two studies, we analyzed four samples (Ntotal = 2,117). Confirmatory factor analysis supported the measurement model of three correlated factors in comparison to unidimensional, second-order, and bifactor models. Thus, speaking against the use of a total score. Furthermore, we found measurement invariance between romantic partners. We extended the Multidimensional Jealousy Scale (MJS)' nomological net to personality pathology and replicated prior findings of associations with broad and narrow traits. Study 2 examined longitudinal data (5- to 9-month lag) from couples. Actor-Partner Interdependence Model analyses showed that the MJS predicts facets of relationship satisfaction in actors and partners. We discuss potential avenues for revising the MJS (e.g., heteronormative item wordings).

How much can personality predict prosocial behavior?

Explaining prosocial behavior is a central goal in classic and contemporary behavioral science. Here, for the first time, we apply modern machine learning techniques to uncover the full predictive potential that personality traits have for prosocial behavior. We utilize a large-scale dataset ( N = 2707; 81 personality traits) and state-of-the-art statistical models to predict an incentivized measure of prosocial behavior, Social Value Orientation (SVO). We conclude: (1) traits explain 13.9% of the variance in SVO; (2) linear models are sufficient to obtain good prediction; (3) trait–trait interactions do not improve prediction; (4) narrow traits improve prediction beyond basic personality (i.e., the HEXACO); (5) there is a moderate association between the univariate predictive power of a trait and its multivariate predictive power, suggesting that univariate estimates (e.g., Pearson’s correlation) can serve as a useful proxy for multivariate variable importance. We propose that the limited usefulness of nonlinear models may stem from current measurement practices in personality science, which tend to favor linearly related constructs. Overall, our study provides a benchmark for how well personality predicts SVO and charts a course toward better prediction of prosocial behavior.

Beyond broad and narrow: Intermediate level traits in the personality of bridge players.

Games offer a unique context for studying human behavior within the realm of social interactions, where a crucial aspect is the role of personality. The personality of individuals is often conceptualized as divided between general traits (broad traits) that are difficult to apply to specific situations and highly specific traits (narrow traits) that only offer a partial depiction of contextual aspects. In this study, we propose an intermediary level of traits revealed through self-ratings (as broad traits), but defined with respect to a particular game context (as narrow traits). We focus on the popular game of Bridge, which is complex and similar to real-life interactions involving incomplete information, adversarial and cooperative concerns, and communication between players. Using a multidimensional analysis of a new 66-item Bridge Inventory survey completed by 1,300 players, we identified five factors (Aggressiveness, Discipline, Creativity, Emotionality, and Experience) that were meaningfully correlated with broad traits of the Five Factor Model (FFM), supporting their validity. Based on these game-related traits, we identified three types of Bridge players: Conventional, Measured, and Subversive and demonstrated the limitations of FFM traits in capturing nuances of player types. The results of our study highlight a discrepancy between broad, context-independent personality traits and narrow, game-specific traits. We propose that this gap can be bridged through self-ratings, revealing a set of intermediate-level, context-dependent traits, which are expected to better encompass interindividual variability in the context of social interactions.

Individual characteristics in arts management careers: investigating the highly sensitive person scale on motivation to lead.

Research on personality in leadership indicates that self-selection to leadership careers and artistic careers correlates with diverging personality profiles. People in leadership careers traditionally display lower neuroticism and higher conscientiousness than artistic individuals. In between, there are individuals entering arts management careers. To study these individuals directly, we collected Norwegian data from 91 musical theater students and 102 arts management students and compared with 109 business management students. As expected, conscientiousness and neuroticism predicted artistic careers against business management careers, aligned with the "arts for arts' sake" myth of artists. Interestingly, arts management careers were not different from artistic careers. They weren't more motivated to take on leadership roles than performing artists either. However, the Highly Sensitive Person Scale indicated that narrower traits of sensitivity predicted higher levels of motivation to lead in many artists. Some arts and arts management students seem to bring unique talents into forms of leadership particularly useful for artistic organizations. Our findings are discussed in terms of how leadership characteristics operate in the field of art, and the effect of domain-specific characteristics in this setting.

Broad vs. narrow traits: a scoping review of measuring personality traits in teacher selection using the situational judgment test.

Situational Judgment Tests (SJTs) have gained popularity and are commonly used as a measurement technique in a variety of professions, particularly those that include hiring, promoting, and professional development. In various educational sectors around the world, SJTs are being utilized as a measure by which to choose individuals who possess the requisite non-academic attributes for the profession. The objective of this review is to identify and analyze the traits that are measured in teacher selection using SJTs, in terms of both broad and narrow traits. This review uses a scoping review approach comprising five stages which are: identifying the research question, identifying relevant studies, selecting the studies, charting the data and reporting the results. Seven empirical research studies on teacher selection using SJTs were identified in which broad and narrow traits are used differently in selection. In the studies, a broad trait-conscientiousness-and seven narrow traits-organization and planning; empathy and communication; adaptability and resilience; mindset; emotional regulation; professional ethics; and enthusiasm and motivation-were recognized. Analysis revealed, in line with other prior studies, that the traits discovered tended to be used as the foundation for teacher selection criteria. The use of broad and narrow traits as the basis for teacher selection criteria has implications for the selection of the "best" teacher candidates because both broad and narrow traits generally do not accurately measure the precise characteristics needed. Future studies should focus on measuring more precise characteristics without overlap between the targeted characteristics, in light of the conclusions from this review.

How do distinct facets of tree diversity and community assembly respond to environmental variables in the subtropical Atlantic Forest?

This study assessed the impact of altitude, precipitation, and soil conditions on species richness (SR), phylogenetic diversity (PD), and functional diversity (FD) standardized effect sizes in subtropical Brazilian Atlantic Forest tree communities. We considered specific trait information (FDs) for FD, reflecting recent adaptive evolution, contrasting with deeper phylogenetic constraints in FD. Three functional traits (leaf area-LA, wood density-WD, and seed mass-SM) were examined for their response to these gradients. Generalized least squares models with environmental variables as predictors and diversity metrics as response variables were used, and a fourth-corner correlation test explored trait-environmental relationships. SR decreased with altitude, while PD increased, indicating niche convergence at higher altitudes. Leaf area and seed mass diversity also decreased with altitude. For LA, both FD and FDs were significant, reflecting filtering processes influenced by phylogenetic inheritance and recent trait evolution. For SM, only the specific trait structure responded to altitude. LA and SM showed significant trait-environmental relationships, with smaller-leaved and lighter-seeded species dominant at higher altitudes. Soil gradients affect diversity. Fertile soils have a wider range of LA, indicating coexistence of species with different nutrient acquisition strategies. WD variation is lower for FDs. SM diversity has different relationships with soil fertility for FDs and FD, suggesting phylogeny influences trait variation. Soil pH influences WD and LA under acidic soils, with deeper phylogenetic constraints (FD). Environmental factors impact tree communities, with evidence of trait variation constraints driven by conditions and resources. Subtropical Atlantic forests' tree assemblies are mainly influenced by altitude, pH, and soil fertility, selecting fewer species and narrower trait spectra under specific conditions (e.g., higher altitudes, pH). Functional diversity patterns reflect both phylogenetic and recent evolution constraints, with varying strength across traits and conditions. These findings highlight the intricate processes shaping long-lived species assembly across diverse environments in the Southern Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

Body mass in US adolescents: Stronger ties to socioeconomic status than personality

It is unclear whether socio- and individual-factors are uniquely related to adolescent BMI or capture the same underlying process or whether environment amplifies relationships between traits and BMI. We estimated the independent contributions of SES and individual factors to BMI percentile in a sample of 9,481 US adolescents. Across all models, SES was significantly associated with lower BMI percentile scores. Controlling for SES, cognitive functioning was associated with lower BMI percentile (Girls: b = -1.32 [-2.10, -0.54], p = .001; Boys: b = -1.84 [-3.10, -0.53], p = .005). Among adolescent girls, Neuroticism (b = 1.75 [0.94, 2.52], p < .001) and related narrow traits, among others, were associated with BMI percentile.​ There were no consistent interactions between SES and personality. In holdout samples, the best performing models included SES, cognitive functioning, and narrow traits. While individual differences may contribute independently to BMI, their contribution is much smaller than that of SES.

Counting the Muses in German Speakers – Evaluation of the German-Language Translation of the Kaufman Domains of Creativity Scales (K-DOCS)

Abstract. The Kaufman Domains of Creativity Scales (K-DOCS) assess individual differences in creativity across five domains (Everyday, Scholarly, Performance, Science, and Artistic). We provide data on the psychometric properties and the structural and nomological validity of the German adaptation of the K-DOCS from three samples ( Ntotal = 1,379). Our findings supported the 5-factorial structure of the German K-DOCS in line with the original version and prior language adaptations. Our findings showed overall satisfying psychometric properties (reliability: .78 ≤ ωs ≤ .87) and scalar measurement invariance for gender. Correlations with external measures of broad and narrow traits supported the convergent validity (self-reports of creativity and a situational judgment test of creative thinking) and the nomological validity (e.g., Big Five personality traits, cognitive styles, and adult playfulness). Overall, the findings support the notion that the German-language adaptation of the K-DOCS can be used to study individual differences across five domains of creativity.

“Play with Me, Darling!” Testing the Associations between Adult Playfulness and Indicators of Sexuality

ABSTRACT Previous studies have shown that individual differences in adult playfulness are important in interpersonal relationships. However, there is a lack of research on the role of playfulness in human sexuality. Using three studies with four independently collected samples (N total = 1,124) we tested the differential relations between global playfulness and four facets of playfulness (Other-directed, Lighthearted, Intellectual, Whimsical; OLIW) with broad (“Sexy Seven”) and narrow (sociosexuality, sexual sensation seeking, and sexual compulsivity) sexuality-related personality traits and sadomasochistic sexual practices (BDSM). Our main findings were: (1) Each of the Sexy Seven traits was related to global playfulness or at least one playfulness facet while only Whimsical playfulness (liking odd and/or unusual things, persons, or activities) was related to each Sexy Seven trait; (2) Sexual sensation seeking related to playfulness with small effect sizes (f 2 ≤ 0.11), Whimsical playfulness positively related to narrow traits of sexuality; and (3) those engaging in BDSM were more playful than non-practitioners. The findings support the notion that playfulness (particularly Whimsical playfulness) relates to sexuality-related personality traits and sadomasochistic practices may be one way of expressing adult playfulness.

The evolution of trait variance creates a tension between species diversity and functional diversity

It seems intuitively obvious that species diversity promotes functional diversity: communities with more plant species imply more varied plant leaf chemistry, more species of crops provide more kinds of food, etc. Recent literature has nuanced this view, showing how the relationship between the two can be modulated along latitudinal or environmental gradients. Here we show that even without such effects, the evolution of functional trait variance can erase or even reverse the expected positive relationship between species- and functional diversity. We present theory showing that trait-based eco-evolutionary processes force species to evolve narrower trait breadths in more tightly packed, species-rich communities, in their effort to avoid competition with neighboring species. This effect is so strong that it leads to an overall reduction in trait space coverage whenever a new species establishes. Empirical data from land snail communities on the Galápagos Islands are consistent with this claim. The finding that the relationship between species- and functional diversity can be negative implies that trait data from species-poor communities may misjudge functional diversity in species-rich ones, and vice versa.

Distinguishing Between Dark Triad Leaders Using Influence and Organizational Citizenship Behaviors

Current trends in research suggest that the trait approach to leadership is in great peril. Theoretical divergence within personality psychology has generated a schism wherein some researchers claim that broader traits are best for predicting behavior, while others claim that narrower traits are best for predicting behavior. This divergence is herein identified as an argument that has been ongoing for nearly a century. It is argued that both sides have their merits and that the true danger lies in ignoring the other side, with special attention given to arguments that theoretically distinct traits are not distinct. These conceptual arguments are paired with Nicomachean Ethics to invert the dark triad and argue for the utility in distinguishing between how dark triad leaders exercise their leadership and impact their organizations through propensities toward different forms of prosocial behavior.

Understanding the nature of the economic game ultimatum through the prism of personality traits

Ultimatum game belongs to the classical economic experiments, frequently used to study altruism and pro-social behavior. The objective of the research is to understand relations between the personality and the ultimatum game from the responder´s perspective. Participants (N=224, females 62%) filled the web-based questionnaires on Hexaco-PI and hypothetic minimal acceptable sum as respondents in the ultimatum game. Data was analyzed by means of the structural equation model and the binominal regression model, using the narrow traits as input variables. Interestingly, the most frequented value of minimal acceptable amount was a fair offer (50 % of the total sum). A fair offer was expected by 50 % of females and 42 % of males; what erodes the traditional thesis of economic rationality, according to which any offer higher than 0 should be accepted. Hence, people have natural tendency to expect and require a fair deal. Results from the logit model show that the minimal acceptable sum in the ultimatum game is predicted, firstly, by liveliness and sociability (wider trait extraversion) and secondly, by sentimentality and dependence (wider trait emotionality). In other words, tendency to expect and require fair offer manifests at optimistic and joyful people able to create strong emotional connections. Logit model´s results were reconfirmed by the structural equation models, where wider traits extraversion and emotionality were found statistically significant. Findings have interesting implications as regards the understanding of underlying psychological processes in the frame of altruistic decision-making.

Predicting the Severity of Symptoms of the COVID Stress Syndrome From Personality Traits: A Prospective Network Analysis.

Psychological stress reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic are complex and multifaceted. Research provides evidence of a COVID Stress Syndrome (CSS), consisting of (1) worry about the dangerousness of getting infected with SARSCoV2 and coming into contact with infected surfaces, (2) worry concerning the personal socioeconomic consequences of COVID-19, (3) xenophobic fears that SARSCOV2 is being spread by foreigners, (4) COVID-19-related traumatic stress symptoms (e.g., nightmares), and (5) compulsive checking and reassurance-seeking about COVID-19. Little is known about how these symptoms are related to vulnerability and protective personality factors. Based on data from 1,976 US and Canadian adults, we conducted a prospective network analysis in which personality factors were initially assessed at Time 1 and then symptoms of the CSS were assessed at Time 2, 2.5 months later. Results indicated that trait optimism and trait resilience were negatively associated with negative emotionality, suggesting a modulatory (inhibitory) influence. Negative emotionality was positively linked to the narrower traits of intolerance of uncertainty and health anxiety proneness. These narrower traits, in turn, were prospectively linked to symptoms of the CSS. Results suggest that the effects of broad personality traits (e.g., negative emotionality, trait resilience) on symptoms of the CSS were mediated by narrower traits such as the intolerance of uncertainty. Treatment implications are discussed.

A third hierarchical level of narrower traits for the Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology-Basic Questionnaire.

Current dimensional taxonomies of personality disorder show a stronger empirical grounding than categories, but may lack the necessary level of detail to make accurate predictions and case formulations. We need to further develop the lower levels of the hierarchy until reaching the building blocks of personality pathology. The Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology-Basic Questionnaire (DAPP-BQ) is well-suited to this purpose due to its multilayered structure and its agreement with the official dimensional classifications. We disaggregated the 18 DAPP-BQ mid-level facets through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis in a sample of 3233 community subjects and outpatients. We obtained a set of 72 clinically relevant, narrower subfacets, which were reliable, well-fitted to the data, and invariant between clinical and community subjects and between the sexes. This third level of abstraction increases by 4.7% the capacity to predict DSM categorical personality disorders, gives a particular advantage in capturing dependent, histrionic, paranoid, obsessive, and schizoid features and can provide the detailed information that clinical decisions demand.

Personal factors, entrepreneurial intention, and entrepreneurial status: A multinational study in three institutional environments

Based on the person-entrepreneurship fit perspective, this study examines the role of personal factors, including broad personality traits (openness, extraversion, emotional stability, and conscientiousness), narrow traits (risk-taking propensity, innovativeness, and proactiveness), and personal ability (emotional intelligence) for entrepreneurial intention and status. In this study, two samples are used with entrepreneurial intentions being analyzed among university business students and entrepreneurial status being analyzed by surveying entrepreneurs versus employees. We analyze findings in three different institutional environments (Germany, Russia, and the USA) to also identify potential effects stemming from country context. Therefore, this study offers findings for a (i) comprehensive set of personal factors on (ii) different outcomes in the entrepreneurial process in (iii) different countries. The results suggest that the role of broad personality traits for entrepreneurial outcomes is highly contextual. Also, the role of narrow traits shows some contextuality for which further theorizing is promoted—for instance, while risk-taking propensity seems to be a trait of relevance in all contexts, innovativeness and proactiveness are of different relevance in the different institutional environments. Moreover, the narrow traits that impact entrepreneurial intention and status differ considerably—for instance, innovation is of special relevance for entrepreneurial status, but less important for entrepreneurial intentions. Hence, this study contributes to our understanding not only of individual personal factors contributing to entrepreneurial intention and status but also to understanding which factors overlap for individuals who intend to start a new business and those that do so.

Common genetic basis of the five factor model facets and intelligence: A twin study

The main aim of this study was to explore the etiology of relations between general cognitive ability (g) and different hierarchical phenotypic levels of the Five Factor Model (FFM), including the General Factor of Personality (GFP), the Big Two, the five domains of the FFM, and their 30 facets. The second aim was to detect personality facets that contribute to the prediction of general intelligence. The sample consisted of 424 young adult twins (134 pairs of monozygotic twins) on whom the NEO-PI-R and Advanced Progressive Matrices were administered. The results did not support hierarchical solutions above the FFM. Thus, five-domain and facet level of personality were analyzed, showing that only Openness and Neuroticism had significant genetic or environmental correlations with intelligence. The several facets from all domains had significant associations, among which Ideas and Positive Emotions showed the highest positive correlations, while Order and Modesty showed the highest negative genetic correlations with intelligence. Furthermore, seven facets significantly predicted g factor (35%), with higher genetic (0.52) than environmental (0.13) correlations with intelligence. The results reveal the common genetic basis of narrow traits and intelligence, highlighting the importance of specific traits in the explanation of general cognitive abilities.

Smaller Is Better: Associations Between Personality and Demographics Are Improved by Examining Narrower Traits and Regions

The personality of individuals is clustered by geographic regions; a resident of a region is more similar to another resident than to a random non-resident. Research in geographical psychology often has focused on this clustering effect in broad regions, such as countries and states, using broad domains of personality, such as the Big Five. We examined the extent to which (a) a narrower geographic unit, the U.S. ZIP Code, accounted for more variance explained in aggregating personality than a broader region, the U.S. state; and (b) progressively narrower personality traits (domains, facets, and nuances, respectively) provided more specificity in describing personality-demographic relationships. Results from this study (nparticipants = 39,886, nzipcodes = 2,074) indicated that the variance explained by aggregating personality was multiple times as large for U.S. ZIP Codes than for states (median = 4.4). At the level of personality domains, ZIP Code population density and income disparity were positively correlated with Openness and negatively correlated with Conscientiousness and Agreeableness. Facets within each domain were differentially correlated with each demographic, which demonstrated that facets added specificity to the personality-demographic relationships beyond that of domains. Item-level analysis revealed the most specific finding: higher population density and income disparity were associated with politically liberal attitudes and beliefs of self-exceptionalism, while lower density and income disparity were associated with authoritarian attitudes and concern for abiding by rules and laws. Findings suggest that future studies in geographical and personality psychology could benefit from using the narrowest feasible unit of analysis.

Fulfilled Expectations about Leaders Predict Engagement through LMX

Drawing on the bandwidth-fidelity principle (Cronbach & Glaser, 1957), this paper challenges the use of broad ImplicitLeadership Theories (ILTs) domains in predicting organizational outcomes (i.e., prototypic ILTs and anti-prototypicILTs) and provides preliminary arguments for examining ILTs narrow traits (e.g., sensitivity, intelligence) effects onLMX and consequently on work engagement. Specifically, using polynomial regression and response surfacemethodology, I examined the effects of followers’ ideal-actual ILTs congruence on LMX. Additionally, using the blockvariable approach, I tested the mediation effects of LMX on the relationship between ideal-actual ILTs congruence andwork engagement, on a sample of 68 employees. The results showed that followers’ fulfilled expectations aboutsensitivity and tyranny had linear effects on LMX, indicating the generalized benefits for leaders to be high on sensitivityand low on tyranny to enhance followers’ LMX. Intelligence, dedication, dynamism, and masculinity had non-lineareffects, revealing that fulfilling followers’ expectations are the best option for leaders to develop high-qualityrelationships with their followers. The mediation hypothesis received partly support, suggesting that additionalmechanisms can explain the relationship between followers’ ideal-actual ILTs congruence and work engagement.

That Takes the BISCUIT

Abstract. The predictive accuracy of personality-criterion regression models may be improved with statistical learning (SL) techniques. This study introduced a novel SL technique, BISCUIT (Best Items Scale that is Cross-validated, Unit-weighted, Informative, and Transparent). The predictive accuracy and parsimony of BISCUIT were compared with three established SL techniques (the lasso, elastic net, and random forest) and regression using two sets of scales, for five criteria, across five levels of data missingness. BISCUIT’s predictive accuracy was competitive with other SL techniques at higher levels of data missingness. BISCUIT most frequently produced the most parsimonious SL model. In terms of predictive accuracy, the elastic net and lasso dominated other techniques in the complete data condition and in conditions with up to 50% data missingness. Regression using 27 narrow traits was an intermediate choice for predictive accuracy. For most criteria and levels of data missingness, regression using the Big Five had the worst predictive accuracy. Overall, loss in predictive accuracy due to data missingness was modest, even at 90% data missingness. Findings suggest that personality researchers should consider incorporating planned data missingness and SL techniques into their designs and analyses.

Trait cheerfulness, seriousness, and bad mood outperform personality traits of the five-factor model in explaining variance in humor behaviors and well-being among adolescents

In this study, we sought to locate the three traits known as the temperamental basis of humor (cheerfulness, seriousness, and bad mood) in the personality space defined by the five-factor model in adolescents. The study also investigated the relative contribution of these narrower traits – in comparison to broad personality traits – to explaining variance in relevant outcomes: the frequency of humor behaviors and well-being. A sample of N = 379 adolescents aged 10 to 17 years (mean age = 15.52, 28.5% male) completed questionnaires on the traits of cheerfulness, seriousness, and bad mood (STCI-youth), the personality traits of the five-factor model (IPIP-junior), the frequency with which they typically displayed 13 different humor behaviors (HUMOR), and well-being (PWI-SC). The results reveal that all three traits assessed by the STCI-youth predicted unique variance in both the frequency of humor behaviors and well-being – beyond demographic variables, the personality traits of the five-factor model, and each other. Using dominance analysis, we demonstrate that the variables assessed by the STCI-youth – in particular, cheerfulness and seriousness for humor behaviors and cheerfulness and bad mood for well-being – outperform broad personality traits in accounting for the variance in humor behaviors. In conclusion, the present study shows that cheerfulness, seriousness, and bad mood overlap with broad personality traits, while being unique predictors of everyday humor behaviors and well-being. Thus, they are well-suited for investigating individual differences in the domain of humor among adolescents.