Personality

humans have a multidimensional personality

Cohen and Swerdlik (2005) defined personality as “an individual’s unique constellation of psychological traits and states, including aspects of values, interests, attitudes, worldview, acculturation, sense of humor, cognitive and behavioral styles and related characteristics” (p. I-18). Piedmont (1998) noted that normal personality is well developed by age 17. Furthermore, based on genotype and phenotype theory—personality is both stable over time but malleable in order to adapt to the environment (McCrae, et al., 2000). One can explore and examine human personality from various perspectives: (a) Sigmund Freud: Psychoanalytic Theory; (b) Erik Erikson: Psychosocial Theory; (c) Henry Murray: Need Theory; (d) B.F. Skinner: Behavior-Learning Theory; (e) Gordon Allport: Trait Theory; (f) George Kelly: Cognitive Theory; (g) Abraham Maslow: Humanistic Theory; (h) Carl Rogers: Phenomenological Theory; (I) Carl Jung: Psychological Archetype Theory; (j) Carol Gilligan: Psychological Theory and Women’s Development. No wonder personality is so complex because there is no unified theory of personality.

the five factor model of personality

For the Resilient Warrior study the Five Factor Model (FFM) of general personality theory was used. The FFM was originally based on the early 20th century lexicographical and adjectival studies of personality by Allport and Odbert; followed by Cattell in the 1930s (Piedmont, 1998). During the 1960s W.T. Norman developed five dimensions of personality: (a) extraversion or surgency, (b) agreeableness, (c) conscientiousness, (d) emotional stability, and (e) culture (Cohen, 2005, p. 183). Over time the FFM evolved through research into the current construct: (a) neuroticism, (b) extraversion, (c) openness to experience, (d) agreeableness, and (e) conscientiousness. The five dimensions (BIG-5) are domains of personality described by the FFM are universal human personality traits (McCrae & Costa, 1997); they can establish individual (Piedmont, 1998) and cultural personality profiles (McCrae & Terracciano, 2005), and can be used in assessing some mental illnesses such as personality disorders (Bagby, Costa, Widiger, Ryder, & Marshall, 2005).

measuring personality using the Five Factor Model

Personality theory is complex and there are many tools for measuring personality.  In the Resilient Warrior I used the NEO™ Five-Factor Inventory-3 (NEO™-FFI-3; McCrae, & Costa, 2010) which requires a trained professional to administer.  Another good personality assessment tool that measures the FFM and other personality dimensions is the 16PF; however, it requires a qualified person to administer and interpret the tool.  

Dr. Bartone who I referenced on the hardiness page joined with other researchers to study the BIG-Five, Hardiness, Social Judgement and Leadership.  They evaluated these personality dimensions on leader performance in U.S. military academy cadets at West Point.  Check out what they found out by reading Personality Predictors of Leader Performance.

References

Bagby, R. M., Costa, P. T., Widiger, T. A., Ryder, A. G., & Marshall, M. (2005). DSM-IV personality disorders and the Five-Factor model of personality: A multi-method examination of domain- and facet-level predictions. European Journal of      Personality, 19, 307-324.

Cohen, R. (2005). Exercises in psychological testing and assessment. Boston, MA:          McGraw Hill.

Cohen, R., & Swerdlik, M. (2005). Psychological testing and assessment. Boston, MA:    McGraw Hill.

McCrae, R. R., & Costa, P. T. (1997). Personality trait structure as a human universal. American Psychologist, 52(5), 509-516. 

McCrae, R. R., & Costa, P. T. (2007). Brief versions of the NEO-PI-3. Journal of Individual Differences, 28(3), 116-128. doi:10.1027/1614-0001.28.3.116

McCrae, R. R., & Costa, P. T. (2010). NEO™ inventories for the NEO™ Personality Inventory-3 (NEO-PI-3), NEO™ Five-Factor Inventory-3 (NEO™-FFI-3), NEO™ Personality Inventory-Revised (NEO-PI-R™): Professional manual. Lutz, FL: PAR.

McCrae, R. R., & Terracciano, A. (2005). Personality profiles of cultures: Aggregate personality traits. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 89(3), 407-425.        

McCrae, R. R., Costa, P. T., Ostendorf, F., Alois, A., Hřebíčková, M., Avia, M. D., Sanz, J., et al. (2000). Nature over nurture: Temperament, personality, and life space development. Journal of Personality and Social Development, 78(1), 173-186.           

Piedmont, R. (1998). The Revised NEO Personality Inventory: Clinical and research        applications. New York, NY: Kluwer Academic/Plenum.