Pan-Hierarchical Five Factor Model: Working taxonomy that recognizes the non-simple structure of personality and incorporates several trait levels: General Factor of Personality, higher-order meta-traits, five factor model, aspects, facets, and compound traits.
Construct names in italics indicate those constructs with consistent loadings on other Big Five factors. Aspects and facets are listed alphabetically since more research is needed to understand how each facet is related to each aspect.
Looking for a particular construct? Use the Search function on the table below to search across all constructs and definitions in the table below. Use the filter fields at the top of each column to search within individual columns. Construct levels are separated by clear bullets (e.g., “◦” separates factors and aspects, “◦◦” separates factors and facets).
| Construct | Definition |
|---|---|
| General Factor of Personality | The General Factor of Personality indicates general self evaluation reflected in self-reports of personality. It is a common factor that includes variance from all Big Five traits, as well as Factor Alpha and Factor Beta. It is related to self esteemed, intra- and inter-personal integration. |
| Global Evaluation◦Negative Valence Aspect | Combination of personality traits generally viewed as undesirable. |
| Global Evaluation◦Positive Valence Aspect | Combination of personality traits generally viewed as desirable. |
| Factor Alpha (Stability, Socialization, Integration) | Factor Alpha reflects individual differences in adjustment to functioning as part of human society or "the need to maintain a stable organization of psychosocial function" (DeYoung, 2006, p. 1149). It is referred to as Socialization by Digman (1997) and Stability by DeYoung. Factor Alpha is a higher order personality trait that is defined by the shared variance among Emotional Stability, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness. According to DeYoung (2006), as part of the Stability meta-trait, "An absence of Neuroticism reflects emotional stability. Agreeableness reflects the tendency to maintain stability in social relationships. Conscientiousness appears to reflect motivational stability, the tendency to set goals and work toward them in a reliable and organized manner" (p. 1149). The low pole of Factor Alpha tends to indicate antisocial tendencies. |
| Factor Alpha◦◦School Facet | Differences in adjustment to functioning within a larger human group, specifically in school settings. |
| Factor Beta (Plasticity, Exploration) | Factor Beta reflects individual differences in the "need to explore and incorporate novel information" (DeYoung, 2006, p. 1149). Also termed Plasticity, it is a higher order personality trait that is defined by the shared variance between Extraversion and Openness. It, ‘reflects the tendency to explore the world perceptually and cognitively’ (DeYoung, 2006, p. 1149). |
| Neuroticism | Neuroticism refers to a domain of traits relating to tendencies to experience negative emotions. Individuals scoring high on this Big Five factor are easily frustrated, stress intolerant, and emotionally reactive. Global Neuroticism describes the degree of emotional dysregulation and maladjustment experienced by the individual. |
| Neuroticism◦Volatility Aspect | This aspect of Neuroticism has been described as “emotional lability, irritability or anger, and difficulty controlling emotional impulses” (DeYoung et al., 2007, p. 885). Measures were included here if they assessed the trait directly by tapping into multiple facets relating to the aspect such as irritability, anger, agitation, and uneven temper. |
| Neuroticism◦Withdrawal Aspect | This aspect of Neuroticism has been described as "susceptibility to a class of negative affect that has commonly been described as withdrawal" (DeYoung et al. 2007, p. 885). Measures were included here if they assessed the trait directly or tapped into multiple facets relating to the aspect such as anxiety, depression, loneliness, and vulnerability. The Withdrawal construct here related here entails negative affect. |
| Neuroticism◦◦Anxiety Facet | Describes individual differences in experiencing unreasonable worry, tension, and apprehension. Further specification of the anxiety facet has been accomplished by specifying the focus of the anxiety (e.g., tests), see below. |
| Neuroticism◦◦Anxiety Facet◦◦◦Academic/School Sub-Facet | Describes individual differences in experiencing unreasonable worry, tension, and apprehension in academic/school situations. |
| Neuroticism◦◦Anxiety Facet◦◦◦Facilitating Sub-Facet | Describes individual differences in the degree to which experiencing reasonable worry, tension, and apprehension helps an individual to perform better. |
| Neuroticism◦◦Anxiety Facet◦◦◦Mathematics Sub-Facet | Describes individual differences in experiencing unreasonable worry, tension, and apprehension related to mathematics. |
| Neuroticism◦◦Anxiety Facet◦◦◦Public Speaking Sub-Facet | Describes individual differences in experiencing unreasonable worry, tension, and apprehension related to public speaking. |
| Neuroticism◦◦Anxiety Facet◦◦◦Separation Sub-Facet | Describes individual differences in experiencing unreasonable worry, tension, and apprehension related to moving apart. |
| Neuroticism◦◦Anxiety Facet◦◦◦Social Sub-Facet | Describes individual differences in experiencing unreasonable worry, tension, and apprehension related to social situations. |
| Neuroticism◦◦Anxiety Facet◦◦◦Test Sub-Facet | Describes individual differences in experiencing unreasonable worry, tension, and apprehension related to tests. |
| Neuroticism◦◦Anxiety Facet◦◦◦Writing Sub-Facet | Describes individual differences in experiencing unreasonable worry, tension, and apprehension related to writing. |
| Neuroticism◦◦Depression Facet | Refers to individual differences in the degree to which a person experiences depressive affect and feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loneliness. |
| Neuroticism◦◦Negative Affect Facet | Negative affect is the core trait that anchors the Neuroticism factor. It refers to stable individual differences in the tendency to experience negative emotions, agitation, and perturbation. Although Negative Affect measures could have been appropriately included among Global Neuroticism measures, they were kept separate to provide for multiple ways of evaluating the Neuroticism factor. |
| Neuroticism◦◦Perseveration Facet | "Persistence at tasks or in a particular way of doing things long after the behavior has ceased to be functional or effective; continuance of the same behavior despite repeated failures or clear reasons for stopping." May represent the extreme, maladaptive pole of Persistence (see Conscientiousness), which leads this facet to fit better with Neuroticism measures. (American Psychiatric Association, 2013, p. 779) |
| Neuroticism◦◦Somatic Complaints Facet | Tendency to experience and/or be more sensitive to bodily pains, deficiencies, and issues. |
| Neuroticism◦◦Suspiciousness Facet | Refers to individual differences in being envious and jealous as well as skeptical, or cynical about the nature of people’s intentions and behaviors. The opposite pole describes the tendency to believe that most people are good, trustworthy, and well-intentioned. This construct could have been grouped with compound-Trust, however, Suspiciousness scales refer to affect, emotions, and feelings whereas Trust is more interpersonally focused, so we kept these constructs separate. |
| Neuroticism◦◦Uneven Tempered Facet | Tendency to experience uneven temper, anger, frustration, and irritability. The opposite pole of this facet describes individual differences in the degree of calmness, dispassionateness, and deliberateness experienced. |
| Agreeableness | Agreeableness refers to a domain of personality traits that describe behavioral tendencies in getting along with others. It involves "the general tendency to be likable, friendly, nurturing, interpersonally sensitive, sincere, eager to be liked by others and to fit in, to get along, etc." (Davies, 2014). Measures classified under this construct include direct measures of the global Agreeableness factor as well as measures that represent multiple aspects and/or facets of Agreeableness. |
| Agreeableness◦Compassion Aspect | This aspect of Agreeableness has been defined as "compassionate emotional affiliation with others: (e.g., Warmth, Sympathy, Tenderness)" (DeYoung, 2013). Shared variance across traits such as empathy, concern, and sympathy reflect the aspect. High scoring individuals express care about the well-being of others and are sensitive toward others’ feelings and needs. They tend to be sincere, sympathetic, and forgiving. |
| Agreeableness◦Politeness Aspect | This aspect reflects the “more reasoned (or at least cognitively influenced) consideration of and respect for others’ needs and desires” (DeYoung, 2013). Shared variance across traits such as compliance, morality, and selflessness define the aspect. |
| Agreeableness◦◦Cooperation Facet | Refers to “the tendency to prefer cooperation to competition, liking to work with others, being a team player, and striving for harmony.” (Davies, 2014). |
| Agreeableness◦◦Lack of Aggression Facet | The negative pole of the trait describes the “Willingness and/or ability to express anger against others: interpersonal manifestation of internal anger resulting from inability to control it (low Emotional Stability) or unwillingness to control it (low Conscientiousness). Wishes others ill, seeks to physically/verbally/emotionally harm others; strikes down rivals; vindictive rather than forgiving; desires to get even with others; spiteful; mean; angry. The key element is the interpersonal part (i.e., it involves willingness and/or ability to express anger against other people, not just feeling anger or directing anger at self or objects- for ex. punching a wall)” (Davies, 2014). |
| Agreeableness◦◦Modesty Facet | Refers to the “tendency to be humble; does not talk about personal successes; deference; accepting blame or inferior position to keep harmony” (Davies, 2014). |
| Agreeableness◦◦Non Manipulative Facet | Refers to the tendency to refrain from deceptive behavior in dealing with others. Low scorers deceive, use, manipulate, or exploit others. |
| Agreeableness◦◦Not Outspoken Facet | Uneasy about joining arguments or even sharing one's opinions, especially critical opinions that are likely to result in, instill, or elicit negative thoughts/emotions in others. |
| Agreeableness◦◦Nurturance Facet | Describes “the tendency to be helpful to others and responsive to others' needs; caring, kind, and considerate toward others; being supportive; being generous; doing things for others; helping the unfortunate; being selfless and altruistic; engaging in pro-social behavior.” (Davies, 2014). |
| Agreeableness◦◦Tender Mindedness Facet | Describes individual differences in being kind and sincere in interactions with others. |
| Conscientiousness | Conscientiousness refers to a domain of personality traits that describe the ways in which individuals self-regulate impulses to follow socially prescribed norms. According to John and Srivastava (1999), “Conscientiousness refers to individual differences in the propensity to follow socially prescribed norms for impulse control, to be task- and goal-directed, to be planful, delay gratification, and follow norms and rules.” Global Conscientiousness describes individual differences in being disciplined, focused, tenacious, organized, and responsible. Measures were included in this factor if they directly tapped global Conscientiousness or if they assessed multiple aspects and/or facets of Conscientiousness. |
| Conscientiousness◦Industriousness Aspect | This aspect of Conscientiousness has been described as a tendency to be industrious (DeYoung et al., 2007). It is a meso-level factor defined by the shared variance from traits such as hard working, ambitious, confident, and resourceful as well as self-disciplined and competent (DeYoung, 2013). Measures were included here if they assessed the trait directly by tapping into multiple facets relating to the aspect. |
| Conscientiousness◦Orderliness Aspect | A meso-level factor defined by the shared variance from traits such as neatness, perfectionism, and punctuality (DeYoung, 2013). Individuals scoring high on the aspect may be described as precise, careful, disciplined, and organized. They are timely and prompt, prioritize, follow-through, and task-focused. Low scorers procrastinate and are disorganized. Measures were included in this aspect if they directly indexed this aspect or if they assessed an Orderliness homogenous item cluster that is not represented in the other Conscientiousness facets noted. |
| Conscientiousness◦◦Achievement Facet | Describes individual differences in having high aspiration levels and working hard to achieve goals. Individuals scoring high on the facet work hard and derive satisfaction from accomplishing challenging goals. Measures that assessed specific, homogeneous item clusters (e.g., academic) are noted in the measures compendium. |
| Conscientiousness◦◦Achievement Facet◦◦◦Test Sub-Facet | Describes individual differences in having high aspiration levels for and working hard to achieve goals on tests. Individuals scoring high on the facet work hard and derive satisfaction from accomplishing challenging goals, particularly in relation to tests. |
| Conscientiousness◦◦Avoidance of Distraction Facet | Pattern of goal-focused behavior, including planning and completing tasks without being easily distracted by external stimuli; ease with which goal-oriented behavior is maintained in planning and performing tasks. |
| Conscientiousness◦◦Cautiousness Facet | Refers to the tendency to think carefully before acting and avoid behaviors that violate rules or norms. High scorers are cautious and deliberate. |
| Conscientiousness◦◦Cautiousness Facet◦◦◦Dysfunctional Sub-Facet | Refers to the tendency to spend an inordinate amount of time or care in thinking before acting. High scorers are cautious and deliberate when such pause is not warranted. |
| Conscientiousness◦◦Cautiousness Facet◦◦◦Functional Sub-Facet | Refers to the tendency to think carefully before acting, especially in situations that warrant such pause. High scorers are cautious and deliberate when such pause is warranted. |
| Conscientiousness◦◦Dependability Facet | Describes individual differences in responsibility and dutifulness. High scoring individuals are aware of societal rules and tend to behave in agreed upon ways. |
| Conscientiousness◦◦Dependability Facet◦◦◦Formality Sub-Facet | Describes individual differences in responsibility and dutifulness, especially in terms of following rules of formality. High scoring individuals are aware of societal rules and tend to strictly behave in agreed upon ways. |
| Conscientiousness◦◦Order Facet | Refers to the “ability to plan and organize tasks and activities” (Roberts et al., 2005). Individuals scoring high on this trait are meticulous, neat, organized, planful, and detail oriented. |
| Conscientiousness◦◦Persistence Facet | Refers to individual differences in persevering under difficult conditions and having patience and not relenting when success is not achieved quickly. High scorers tend to work long hours and endure in the face of adversity in order to achieve goals. In recent literature this has been referred to as grit. |
| Conscientiousness◦◦Procrastination Avoidance Facet | Tendency to complete tasks and goals early, on-time, or without delay. |
| Conscientiousness◦◦Procrastination Avoidance Facet◦◦◦Avoidance of Time Wasting Sub-Facet | Tendency to complete tasks and goals early, on-time, or without delay, with emphasis on the efficient use of time allotted. |
| Extraversion | Extraversion refers to a domain of traits characterized by behavioral engagement with the external world, particularly in the interpersonal arena. Measures that assessed the global factor of Extraversion or that combined items across multiple Extraversion facets were included here. Global Extraversion describes individual differences in liking and feeling comfortable amidst larger groups, being outgoing, active, and assertive as well as cheerful. Extraverted individuals are described as talkative, high-energy, sociable, fun-loving, and seekers of external stimulation. |
| Extraversion◦Assertiveness Aspect | This aspect of Extraversion refers to agency as well as taking initiative and is linked with emerging as a leader in interpersonal settings. It represents the overlap of activity and dominance and it incorporates behaviors that mobilize others to take action and that are related to being persuasive. |
| Extraversion◦Enthusiasm Aspect | The aspect describes the tendency to “experience positive emotions associated with anticipation or enjoyment of reward” as well as “positive emotion and outgoing friendliness or sociability.” (DeYoung et al., 2007). This aspect of Extraversion brings together social (e.g., gregariousness) and affective (e.g., positive emotions) parts of Extraversion. |
| Extraversion◦◦Activity Facet | Refers to individual differences in the tendency to be energetic. Individuals scoring high on this trait prefer staying busy and a fast-paced lifestyle. Low scoring individuals are more leisurely, though not necessarily lazy. |
| Extraversion◦◦Activity Facet◦◦◦Tempo Sub-Facet | Refers to individual differences in the tendency to be energetic, specifically the tempo or pace of an individual's behaviors. |
| Extraversion◦◦Activity Facet◦◦◦Polychronicity Sub-Facet | Refers to individual differences in the tendency to be energetic and prefer simultaneous activities and sensory inputs/doing many things at once. |
| Extraversion◦◦Activity Facet◦◦◦Tempo Sub-Facet | Refers to individual differences in the tendency to be energetic, specifically the tempo or pace of an individual’s behaviors. |
| Extraversion◦◦◦Dislike Working Alone Sub-Facet | Preference for working with others rather than alone. |
| Extraversion◦◦Dominance Facet | Describes individual differences in being dominant, forceful, and socially ascendant/potent. Individuals who score high on this trait are self-assured, adopt active roles in groups, and prefers to lead rather than follow. |
| Extraversion◦◦Dominance Facet◦◦◦Directing Others Sub-Facet | Describes individual differences in being dominant, forceful, and socially ascendant, with a specific tendency to lead others. |
| Extraversion◦◦Lack of Anhedonia Facet | Represents maladaptive lack of "enjoyment from, engagement in, or energy for life's experiences; deficits in the capacity to feel pleasure or take interest in things." (American Psychiatric Association, 2013, p. 766). Indicates impairment in feeling pleasure or being interested in things. |
| Extraversion◦◦Positive Emotionality Facet | Describes individual differences in experiencing positive emotions such as happiness, joy, love, zest, and excitement. High scoring individuals are cheerful, exuberant, and high-spirited. |
| Extraversion◦◦Sensation Seeking Facet | Describes the tendency to seek out and even crave adventure, excitement, and stimulation. Individuals scoring high on this trait are spontaneous and venturesome. Low scorers tend to prefer predictability and safer experiences. Care should be taken to distinguish this construct from lack of cautiousness (see Conscientiousness facet), which has elements of violating rules and norms, whereas that is not the core of this construct, seeking experiential sensations and excitement is. |
| Extraversion◦◦Sensation Seeking Facet◦◦◦Likes Dangerous Predicaments Sub-Facet | Enjoys witnessing and participating in dangerous situations. |
| Extraversion◦◦Sociability Facet | Refers to the tendency to be outgoing, seek the company of others, and engage in social situations. High scorers are often gregarious and tend to have a high desire for interpersonal interaction and enjoy other people’s company. |
| Extraversion◦◦Sociability Facet◦◦◦University Environment Sub-Facet | Tendency to seek the company of others and engage in social situations within the university context. |
| Extraversion◦◦Social Withdrawal (reverse) Facet | Even though this construct is a part of the Sociability facet, it likely represents a different range of the construct and has been frequently measured from its negative pole. Thus, it was kept separate from the Sociability construct to enable the emergence of potentially differential relations. Individuals high on Social Withdrawal are uncomfortable in social interactions and typically withdraw from these interactions. They show little interest in others or in interacting with them. |
| Openness | Openness to Experience refers to a domain of personality traits that describes individual differences in cognitive exploration and stimulation. According to Connelly, Ones, Davies, and Birkland (2014), “The central element to openness is a desire to think and understand problems. Individuals seek out new experiences, are curious, liberal and independent minded, have artistic or scientific interests, are moved by aesthetics, and are introspective about emotions and behavior.” |
| Openness◦Experiencing Aspect | This aspect captures the joint variance from aestheticism, fantasy, and imagination (DeYoung, 2013). It involves absorption in aesthetic and artistic experiences, sensation and perception, and fantasy. Measures were included here if they assessed the trait directly or by tapping into multiple facets relating to the aspect. |
| Openness◦Intellect Aspect | This aspect captures the joint variance from ingenuity, quickness, and intellectual engagement (DeYoung, 2013). It reflects both perceived intelligence and intellectual engagement. It can be thought of as individual differences in engaging with abstract information. Measures were included here if they assessed the trait directly or by tapping into multiple facets relating to the aspect. |
| Openness◦◦Aesthetics Facet | Tendency to appreciate artwork, music, natural beauty, and, “be strongly moved by these aesthetic or artistic aspects” (Connolly et al., 2014). High scoring individuals “genuinely appreciate various forms of art such as paintings, classical music, buildings, and landscapes, whereas those scoring low on this facet show low disinterest or indifference toward art” (Woo, Chernyshenko, Longley, Zhang, Chiu, & Stark, 2014). |
| Openness◦◦Curiosity Facet | Desire to know, seek, and explore new things. |
| Openness◦◦Fantasy Facet | Tendency to have an active fantasy life and might often day-dream. |
| Openness◦◦Ideas Facet | Tendency to engage with and manipulate information. “Exploring many areas of knowledge; synthesis of ideas, verifiable generalization and logical thought to satisfy intellectual curiosity” (von Stumm & Ackerman, 2013). |
| Openness◦◦Introspection Facet | Reflects individual differences in “reflectiveness, meditativeness, observing others, preference for thinking over overt activity, and philosophical inclination.” (von Stumm & Ackerman, 2013). Connelly et al. (2014) described this facet as, “Likes to think about and tries to understand the reasons for others’ or one’s own behavior; likes to predict how others will act”. |
| Openness◦◦Need For Cognition Facet | Refers to a trait reflecting a preference for understanding complex topics and ideas (von Stumm & Ackerman, 2013). Individuals scoring high on the trait may be described as having a wide variety of interests and a desire to engage and understand one’s world. |
| Openness◦◦Need For Cognition Facet◦◦◦Complexity Sub-Facet | Preference for understanding topics and ideas, especially complex ones. |
| Openness◦◦Non Traditional Facet | This facet indicates a “readiness to reexamine traditional social, religious, and political concepts” (von Stumm & Ackerman, 2013) as well as conventional values, authoritarianism, and dogmatism. |
| Openness◦◦Non Traditional Facet◦◦◦Advocates Morality Sub-Facet | Willingness to reconsider traditional or established ideas, with an emphasis on openness toward social, moral, and legal rules. |
| Openness◦◦Variety Seeking Facet | This facet involves seeking out cognitive/mental change (cf. behavioral/sensory variety and stimulation, which are more related to Sensation Seeking, see Extraversion). Individuals scoring high on this facet prefer variety and are receptive to change. It reflects a desire to engage with unfamiliar experiences and novel activities. |
| compound: Achievement via Independence | Tendency to be driven to achieve goals and objectives in unstructured situations that allow individual freedom and initiative rather than require the following of standard operating procedures or rules. |
| compound: Acting Without Thinking | Tendency to be irresponsible, venturesome, and not in control of one's impulses and actions. |
| compound: Ambition | Tendency toward prosocial interpersonal dominance, initiative-taking, and strong will in pursuit of goals. High scoring individuals strive to do better than others and enjoy competition. |
| compound: Ambition◦◦Cold Calling Facet | Describes a personality compound of high Conscientiousness and high Extraversion. It refers to prosocial interpersonal dominance and strength of will in pursuit of goals. High scoring individuals strive to do better than others and enjoy competition but are also adept at sociably persuading others. |
| compound: Ambitious Risk Taking | Tendency to pursue dangerous, unneccessary, and risky activities without regard for consequences. Lack of concern for self-damaging situations or behavior, with reckless pursuit of goals, regardless of risks involved. |
| compound: Borderline Personality Disorder | Pattern of struggling to regulate emotions and consequently to be volatile, impulsive, and have a distorted and often low self-image. |
| compound: Central Nervous System Mobility | Adaptability of one's central nervous system, through excitation or inhibition, to respond to changes in environmental situations. |
| compound: Cold Efficiency | A rigid focus on principles, rationality, and discipline with little regard for any human costs such focus may incur. |
| compound: Compassionate and Sociable | Tendency to seek input from others, be concerned about others' well-being, be outgoing, and be oriented to teamwork. |
| compound: Creative Personality | Individual differences in proclivity toward (rather than capability for) innovative behavior. Measures are typically criterion keyed for indicating creative potential. |
| compound: Customer Service | Scales linked to this construct were keyed to the criterion of customer service. Although the ingredients indicate these scales measure Factor Alpha, they have a somewhat greater emphasis on Agreeableness. |
| compound: Data Rational | Preference for and comfort with focusing on data, numbers, figures, and other factual information rather than opinions and feelings. |
| compound: Emotional Intelligence | Trait-based measures of emotional intelligence combine personality traits related to recognizing, understanding, and controlling emotions within oneself and others. As the ingredients of this compound indicate, measures of trait-based emotional intelligence may also be indicators of the General Factor of Personality. |
| compound: Emotional Intelligence◦◦Describing Emotions Facet | Combination of personality traits related to recognizing and describing one's emotions. |
| compound: Exploration for Perfection | Exploration fueled by intellectual openness combined with a drive to fully understand things or find the best solutions. |
| compound: Family Problems | Having feelings of disrespect, coldness, and/or apathy with one's family; reporting family conflicts and discord. |
| compound: Generalized Self Efficacy | Tendency to believe, across tasks, domains, and contexts, in one's capability to produce given attainments (e.g., succeed and accomplish tasks). |
| compound: Grandiosity/Intimidation | "Believing that one is superior to others and deserves special treatment; self-centeredness; feelings of entitlement; condescension toward others." (American Psychiatric Association, 2013, p. 780) |
| compound: Hedonism | Tendency to value and seek enjoyment, excitement, and various pleasures. |
| compound: Hysteria | Tendency to perceive psychological stress as physical symptoms; manifest shallow, mercurial emotions; and display dramatic and/or attention-seeking behavior. |
| compound: Independent of Conventions and Others | Characterized by a desire to be free, self-sufficient, independent-minded, individualistic, and autonomous; not tied to people or places. |
| compound: Industrious Curiosity | Driven to seek knowledge and take action in order to achieve understanding about a broad variety of topics. |
| compound: Innovation | Tendency to seek, engage, and thrive in novel solutions; prefer synthesizing information and often form unorthodox ideas. |
| compound: Input Seeking | Tendency to consult others and seek input when making decisions. |
| compound: Integrity | Individual differences in honesty and trustworthiness. Behaviorally, individuals of high integrity adhere to societal standards of ethical conduct and avoid illegal or immoral activities. They are also often described as virtuous. Measures of Integrity assess Factor Alpha but place a somewhat greater emphasis on Conscientiousness. |
| compound: Integrity◦◦Overt Facet | Refers to the measurement of integrity using theft and counterproductivity related attitude items. These measures have also been referred to as "clear-purpose tests" (Sackett & Harris, 1984). |
| compound: Intellectual and Confident | Tendency to be interested in ideas and intellectual pursuits and feel optimistic about and confident in displaying one's abilities. |
| compound: Interpersonal Sensitivity | Sensitivity to the emotions of others. "The tendency to be sensitive others' moods, emotions; socially sensitive; tactful, diplomatic, empathic, and sympathetic." Davies (2014). The strongest component of this compound is Extraversion. |
| compound: Judging/Perceiving | Preference for structure and planning versus flexibility and adaptability; desire for definiteness and absolutism. |
| compound: Locus of Control (Internal) | Tendency to believe that one has greater control over what happens to oneself. In contrast, external locus of control is the tendency to believe that what happens to one is beyond one's control. |
| compound: Locus of Control (Internal)◦◦Academic/School Facet | Belief that one can influence events and their outcomes in an academic setting. |
| compound: Locus of Control (Internal)◦◦Bad Events Facet | Belief that one could have influenced the occurrence of bad events and their outcomes. |
| compound: Locus of Control (Internal)◦◦Bad Events Facet◦◦◦Task Sub-Facet | Belief that one could have influenced the occurrence of bad events and their outcomes in a task scenario. |
| compound: Locus of Control (Internal)◦◦◦Health Sub-Facet | Belief that one can influence the health of oneself or others. |
| compound: Locus of Control (Internal)◦◦Task Facet | Belief that one can influence performance on or the outcome of a task. |
| compound: Locus of Control (External)◦◦Chance Facet | Belief that outcomes one experiences are due to chance. |
| compound: Locus of Control (External)◦◦Powerful Others Facet | Belief that outcomes one experiences are due to other individuals and organizations who hold power. |
| compound: Machiavellianism | Cynical disregard for norms regarding right and wrong combined with the use of deceit to pursue personal gains. |
| compound: Managerial Potential | Tendency to provide fair and emotionally stable leadership. Scales assessing Managerial Potential are typically criterion keyed, but they tend to measure the personality traits indicated. |
| compound: Micromanaging | Neurotically driven tendency to closely monitor others and ensure they accomplish goals and minor objectives in a specified way. |
| compound: Micromanaging◦◦Self Facet | Neurotically driven self-monitoring of goal pursuit and productive behavior. |
| compound: Mischievous | Tendency to be charming but also act without thinking or regard for rules and commitments. |
| compound: Mischievous◦◦Playing Jokes on Other People Facet | Tendency to be charming but also act without thinking or regard for rules and commitments, specifically when playing jokes on others. |
| compound: Narcissism | Proclivity toward self-centered admiration as well as a desire to demonstrate and build upon that image. "Preoccupation with grandiose fantasies of self-importance, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy." (American Psychiatric Association, 2000, p. 717). Indicates tendency to be arrogant, exploitative, and entitled. |
| compound: Openness to Emotions | Tendency to be aware of, interpret, and express one's inner feelings and emotional experiences. |
| compound: Optimism | General tendency to ascribe positive attributions to events and people. |
| compound: Passive Aggressive | Tendency to be superficially pleasant toward others, even while resenting and/or resisting their requests. |
| compound: Pragmatic | Tendency to focus on practical actions and outcomes rather than abstract ideas and thinking. |
| compound: Present Focused | Tendency to be unburdened by past experiences or regrets and to be unworried about the future. |
| compound: Proving Self | Desire to demonstrate and validate one's value to others. |
| compound: Psychopathy◦◦Primary | Tendency to lack empathy and fear; weak behavioral inhibition. |
| compound: Psychopathy◦◦Secondary | Tendency toward antisocial behavior, stress reactivity, and worry/guilt; strong behavioral activation. |
| compound: Quiet Achiever | Tendency to be introverted and focused on achievement and learning/intellectual pursuits. |
| compound: Resourcefulness | Preference for solving challenging problems using persistence, planning, and novel thinking. |
| compound: Restrained Expression | Tendency to be serious, responsible, and in control of one's impulses and expressions. |
| compound: Rigid Introversion | Unyielding preference for social privateness and solitude. |
| compound: Risk Taking | Proclivity to downplay hazards and engage with uncertain ventures. |
| compound: Routine | Desire for predictable, orderly, and controlled daily experiences; reduced interest in variety. |
| compound: Routine Seeking | Tendency to search for routines in thoughts as well as activities. |
| compound: Rugged Individualism | Tendency to embody stereotypically male traits, such as competitive, adventurous, bold, and independent. Preference for cognitive and behavioral exploration, and willingness to put forth effort in pursuit of goals. |
| compound: Rumination | Repeatedly thinking about, mentally simulating, and evaluating events and actions. |
| compound: Sales Potential | Combination of traits related to being assertive, sociable, ambitious, and persuasive. Scales assessing Sales Potential are typically criterion keyed, but they tend to measure the personality traits indicated. |
| compound: Sales Potential◦◦Closing Facet | Combination of traits related to being assertive, sociable, ambitious, and persuasive, specifically in relation to getting others to make a commitment. Scales assessing this facet of Sales Potential are typically criterion keyed, but they tend to measure the personality traits indicated. |
| compound: Schizophrenia | Tendency to exhibit, "a wide range of culturally incongruent odd, eccentric, or unusual behaviors and cognitions, including both process (e.g., perception, dissociation) and content (e.g., beliefs)...Belief that one has unusual abilities, such as mind reading, telekinesis, thought-action fusion, unusual experiences of reality, including hallucination-like experiences." (Dilchert, Ones, & Krueger, 2014). Schizophrenia is also associated with social alienation, difficulties in concentration, and lack of impulse control. |
| compound: Secure from Social Pressures | Proclivity toward high level of independent thinking and autonomy in actions across various situations. Low regard given to others' praise or disapproval. |
| compound: Secure from Social Pressures◦◦Persistent Facet | Self-confident, decisive, persistent, and unconcerned with the opinions of others. |
| compound: Self Control | Refers to a compound personality trait that ranges from restraint to reactivity, behaviorally and emotionally. High scoring individuals tend to more easily restrain their behaviors and reactions. |
| compound: Self Control◦◦Cognitive Facet | Refers to a compound personality trait that ranges from cognitive restraint to reactivity. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Academic/School Facet | Tendency to believe in one's capability to produce given attainments within academic contexts. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Academic/School Facet◦◦◦Language Sub-Facet | Tendency to believe in one's language capabilities to produce given attainments in academic situations. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Academic/School Facet◦◦◦Language Sub-Facet | Tendency to believe in one's language capabilities to produce given attainments in academic situations. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Academic/School Facet◦◦◦Mathematics Sub-Facet | Tendency to believe in one's mathematics capabilities to produce given attainments in academic situations. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Academic/School Facet◦◦◦Science Sub-Facet | Tendency to believe in one's science capabilities to produce given attainments in academic situations. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Academic/School Facet◦◦◦Test Sub-Facet | Tendency to believe in one's capability to produce given attainments on tests in academic situations. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Clerical Facet | Tendency to believe in one's clerical capabilities to produce given attainments. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Cognitive Facet | Tendency to believe in one's cognitive capabilities to produce given attainments. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Cognitive Task Facet | Tendency to believe in one's capability to complete cognitive tasks. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Cognitive Facet◦◦◦Mathematics Sub-Facet | Tendency to believe in one's capability to complete cognitive tasks emphasizing mathematical knowledge, skills, and abilities. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Cognitive Facet◦◦◦Memory Sub-Facet | Tendency to believe in one's capability to complete cognitive tasks emphasizing memory skills and abilities. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Cognitive Facet◦◦◦Reasoning Sub-Facet | Tendency to believe in one's capability to complete cognitive tasks emphasizing reasoning skills and abilities. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Cognitive Facet◦◦◦Spatial Sub-Facet | Tendency to believe in one's capability to complete cognitive tasks emphasizing spatial skills and abilities. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Cognitive Facet◦◦◦Verbal Sub-Facet | Tendency to believe in one's capability to complete cognitive tasks emphasizing verbal knowledge, skills, and abilities. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Cognitive Facet◦◦◦Verbal Sub-Facet◦◦◦◦Reading | Tendency to believe in one's capability to complete cognitive tasks emphasizing reading knowledge, skills, and abilities. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Cognitive Facet◦◦◦Verbal Sub-Facet◦◦◦◦Writing | Tendency to believe in one's capability to complete cognitive tasks emphasizing writing knowledge, skills, and abilities. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Communication Facet | Tendency to believe in one's communication capabilities to produce given attainments. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Creativity Facet | Tendency to believe in one's creativity capabilities to produce given attainments. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Diversity Facet | Tendency to believe in one's capability to produce given attainments related to diversity. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Interests Facet | Tendency to believe in one's capability to produce given attainments related to several occupational interests. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Interpersonal Facet | Tendency to believe in one's interpersonal capabilities to produce given attainments. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Intuition Facet | Tendency to believe in one's intuition to produce given attainments. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Mechanical Facet | Tendency to believe in one's mechanical capabilities to produce given attainments. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Miscellaneous Facet | Tendency to believe, across tasks, domains, and contexts, in one's capability to produce given attainments (e.g., succeed and accomplish tasks) in a variety of settings and pursuits. A miscellaneous set of self efficacy measures that did not fit into other constructs went into this category. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Occupational Facet | Tendency to believe in one's capability to produce given attainments related to one's occupation. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Occupational Facet◦◦◦Cognitive Sub-Facet | Tendency to believe in one’s capability to produce given attainments emphasizing knowledge, skills, and abilities related to one’s occupation. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Occupational Facet◦◦◦Counseling Sub-Facet | Tendency to believe in one's capability to produce given attainments related to one's occupation as a counselor. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Occupational Facet◦◦◦Counseling Sub-Facet◦◦◦◦Open Mindedness | Tendency to believe in one's capability to produce given attainments related to being open-minded in one's occupation as a counselor. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Self Management Facet | Tendency to believe in one's self-management capabilities to produce given attainments. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Sexual Facet | Tendency to believe in one's capability to produce given attainments related to sexuality. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Stress Resistance Facet | Tendency to believe in one's capability to handle strain. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Task Facet | Tendency to believe in one's capability to complete tasks. |
| compound: Self Efficacy◦◦Work Facet◦◦◦Adaptability Sub-Facet | Tendency to believe in one's capability to adapt within the work context tasks. |
| compound: Self Esteem | Degree of self-confidence, self-assurance, self worth, and lack of feelings of inferiority experienced by an individual. The core of this trait is lack of Neuroticism. |
| compound: Self Esteem◦◦Accepting of One's Weaknesses Facet | Satisfaction with oneself regardless of deficiencies and even if others do not share that esteem. |
| compound: Self Monitoring◦◦Global | Willingness and ability to engage in the expressive control of public self-presentations. |
| compound: Self Monitoring◦◦Other Directedness Facet | Tendency and willingness to use pretense and deception to change behavior to suit others. |
| compound: Self Transcendence | Feelings of connection to and existence within a broader context and power than oneself. |
| compound: Social Suave | Penchant for and ease in joining social situations, connecting with others, and entertaining others. |
| compound: Stress Tolerance | Tendency to handle pressure well and not experience anxiety and tension in stressful conditions. Measures of Stress Tolerance assess Factor Alpha but place a somewhat greater emphasis on lack of Neuroticism. |
| compound: Superstitiousness | Predisposition to believe in supernatural links between certain things and purported outcomes. |
| compound: Superstitiousness◦◦Formal Facet | Predisposition to believe in common supernatural links between certain things and purported outcomes. |
| compound: Superstitiousness◦◦Personal Facet | Predisposition to believe in personal, supernatural links between certain things and purported outcomes. |
| compound: Tolerance | Tendency to be broad-minded and appreciate differences in others’ values; freedom from prejudice (Connelly et al., 2014). |
| compound: Trust | Individual differences in degree to which an individual will trust others and not question their motives. Low scorers on the trait tend to assume that others are dishonest or dangerous. |
| compound: Type A | Tendency toward being competitive, aggressive, impatient, and ambitious. |
| compound: Unforgiving | Tendency to bitterly ruminate on past events and to hold and apply grudges. |
| compound: Volatile Aggression | Exhibits mean or vengeful behavior with little provocation and experiences regular or frequent angry feelings, though most of the time these feelings are over-controlled. |
| compound: Warmth | Tendency to be affiliative, affectionate, and outwardly friendly. Low scorers are described as cool, aloof, and detached. |
| Social Desirability | Pattern of response distortion that results in endorsement of items perceived to be favored by one's society. Refers to the tendency to respond to personality items in a way that will create a positive impression in others. |
| Social Desirability◦Impression Management Facet | Tendency to actively and knowingly misrepresent oneself and endorse items that produce a favorable perception. |
| Social Desirability◦Impression Management Facet◦◦Unlikely Virtues Sub-Facet | Tendency to actively and knowingly endorse items that produce a favorable perception, especially in regards to unlikely virtues. |
| Social Desirability◦Self Deception Facet | Tendency to unconsciously endorse items that produce a favorable perception of oneself and reflect delusional self-perception. |
| Social Desirability◦◦Denies Common Frailties Sub-Facet | Tendency to (unrealistically) deny having any common frailties. |
| Response Set | Pattern of responding indicative of erratic, inattentive, unusual, or other response sets. |
| Response Set◦Acquiescence Facet | Tendency to agree, rather than disagree, with items regardless of their content. |
| Response Set◦Central Tendency Facet | Tendency to endorse neutral or "Don't Know/Not Applicable" responses, regardless of item content. |
| Response Set◦Communality Facet | Tendency to endorse beliefs and behaviors that occur very frequently in normative samples. |
| Response Set◦Inconsistency Facet | Responding to similar questions differently or opposite questions similarly. |
| Response Set◦Infrequency Facet | Tendency to endorse beliefs and behaviors that occur very infrequently in normative samples. |
| Response Set◦Nay Saying Facet | Tendency to disagree, rather than agree, with items regardless of their content. |
| Response Set◦Negative Impression Facet | Tendency to endorse items that produce an unfavorable perception. |
| Response Set◦Random Response Facet | Tendency to respond in an inconsistent and erratic way. |
References on this page:
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