| Abstract: | Examined the correspondence between 2 systems for personality trait classification—W. T. Norman's (1963) 5-factor model and P. T. Costa and R. R. McCrae's (1980) NEO (Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness) inventory—to evaluate their comprehensiveness as models of personality. 498 24–86 yr old participants in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging completed an instrument containing 80 adjective pairs, which included 40 pairs proposed to measure the 5 dimensions. Neuroticism and extraversion factors from these items showed substantial correlations with corresponding NEO inventory scales; however, analyses that included psychometric measures of intelligence suggested that the 5th factor in the Norman structure should be reconceptualized as openness to experience. Convergent correlations above .50 with spouse ratings on the NEO inventory that were made 3 yrs earlier confirmed these relations across time, instrument, and source of data. The relations among culture, conscientiousness, openness, and intelligence are discussed, and it is concluded that mental ability is a separate factor, though related to openness to experience. (49 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
