Allen, M. S., Mishra, M., Tashjian, S. M., & Laborde, S. (2025). Linking Big Five personality traits to components of diet: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 128(4), 905–929.
Agreeableness reflects individual differences in concern for others, cooperation, and social harmony.
These facets represent sub-dimensions of the overall Agreeableness trait.
Altruism is an active concern for others’ welfare, selflessness, courtesy and consideration.
Cooperation is the tendency to defer to and comply with others, to inhibit aggression, and to forgive and forget.
Modesty refers to the tendency to be humble and self-effacing (the opposite of Narcissism).
Morality is the tendency to be frank, sincere, straightforward, and ingenuous (the opposite of Machiavellian).
Trust is the tendency to believe that others are honest and well-intentioned; attribute benevolent intent to others.
Sympathy refers to a general concern for others and being guided by feelings when making judgements and forming attitudes.
The tendency to transition ones responses toward a perceived transgression from negative into neutral or positive.
Definition
The tendency to transition ones responses toward a perceived transgression from negative into neutral or positive.
Research Findings
In a study of 275 college students, Brose et al. (2005) found a significant correlation between higher scores on Agreeableness and Forgiveness (p < .001).
Gratitude is a general tendency to recognize and respond with grateful emotion when experiencing positive outcomes that are attributable to the benevolence of others.
Definition
Gratitude is a general tendency to recognize and respond with grateful emotion when experiencing positive outcomes that are attributable to the benevolence of others.
Research Findings
In a study of 1,228 adult participants, McCullough et al. (2002) found a significant positive correlation (.39; p < .01) between trait gratitude and agreeableness.
The general tendency to appreciate amusement, comedy, jokes, self-referential humor, jests, wit, or sarcasm.
Definition
The general tendency to appreciate amusement, comedy, jokes, self-referential humor, jests, wit, or sarcasm.
Research Findings
In a study of 169 college students, Cann & Calhoun (2001) found a significant positive relationship between Agreeableness and Humor (p < .05).
MacDonald (2000) defined Religious / Spiritual concerns as a five component construct, including: cognitive orientation (perceptions and attitudes toward religious experience); experiential (mystical, transcendental, and transpersonal experiences); existential well-being (a sense of meaning, purpose, and resilience regarding ones existence); and religiousness (religious practice).
Definition
MacDonald (2000) defined Religious / Spiritual concerns as a five component construct, including: cognitive orientation (perceptions and attitudes toward religious experience); experiential (mystical, transcendental, and transpersonal experiences); existential well-being (a sense of meaning, purpose, and resilience regarding ones existence); and religiousness (religious practice).
Research Findings
In a study of 993 undergraduates, Macdonald (2000) demonstrate a significant positive relationship between Agreeableness and two dimenstions of Expressions of Spirituality: Cognitive Orientation Towards Spirituality (.30; p < .001; perceptions and attitudes regarding spirituality) and Religousness (.25; p < .001; religious practices).
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) or Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a significant health risk (causing illness and death) and generally occurs when blood vessels supplying the heart with blood become damaged from cholesterol buildup & inflammation.
Definition
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) or Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a significant health risk (causing illness and death) and generally occurs when blood vessels supplying the heart with blood become damaged from cholesterol buildup & inflammation.
Research Findings
In their meta-analysis of 45 studies, Miller et al. (1996) found a significant positive relationship between measures of hostility (a facet of agreeableness) and coronary heart disease (CHD), weighted mean r = .18.
A composite index combining multiple dietary components to reflect overall diet quality, typically subtracting unhealthy food consumption from healthy food consumption scores.
Definition
A composite index combining multiple dietary components to reflect overall diet quality, typically subtracting unhealthy food consumption from healthy food consumption scores.
Research Findings
Research shows a small positive association between Agreeableness and healthy eating (r = .07, 95% CI [.04, .11], k = 18, n = 15,541). A significant age moderation effect was identified (χ²(1) = 4.68, p = .031, R² = .42), with the association strengthening markedly in older adult samples, the only trait in the meta-analysis to show this age-dependent pattern (Allen et al., 2025). High agreeableness was also associated with greater fruit and vegetable intake, lower consumption of candy and cookies, lower salt intake, reduced fast food consumption, lower meat consumption, greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and less emotional eating.
Sophisticated musical styles feature inspiring, complex, and dynamic attributes, prevalent in classical, operatic, avant-garde, and traditional jazz genres.
Definition
Sophisticated musical styles feature inspiring, complex, and dynamic attributes, prevalent in classical, operatic, avant-garde, and traditional jazz genres.
Research Findings
Research on musical preferences across cultures, utilizing an audio-based measure of preferential reactions to music, indicates a positive association between Agreeableness and preferences for Sophisticated music. A study involving 71,714 participants across 36 countries found a correlation of r=.04 (p<.01) between Agreeableness and Sophisticated music (Greenberg et al., 2022). This large-scale cross-cultural study is notable for its use of unfamiliar musical stimuli to minimize confounding effects from prior associations, thereby enhancing the ecological validity of the findings.
Intense musical styles are characterized by distorted, loud, and aggressive attributes, common in classic rock, punk, heavy metal, and power pop genres.
Definition
Intense musical styles are characterized by distorted, loud, and aggressive attributes, common in classic rock, punk, heavy metal, and power pop genres.
Research Findings
Research consistently indicates a negative association between Agreeableness and preferences for Intense musical styles. A study involving 71,714 participants across 36 countries found a correlation of r=−.09 (p<.00001) between Agreeableness and Intense music (Greenberg et al., 2022). This large-scale cross-cultural study is notable for its use of unfamiliar musical stimuli to minimize confounding effects from prior associations, thereby enhancing the ecological validity of the findings. Further supporting this, research using Spotify streaming data from 5,808 users found Agreeableness negatively correlated with Punk (r=−.103, p<.001), Death Metal (r=−.093, p<.001), and other aggressive music (r=−.122, p<.001), all of which are genres associated with Intense styles (Anderson et al., 2021).
Unpretentious musical styles are defined by uncomplicated, relaxing, and unaggressive attributes, often heard in country genres.
Definition
Unpretentious musical styles are defined by uncomplicated, relaxing, and unaggressive attributes, often heard in country genres.
Research Findings
Research indicates a positive association between Agreeableness and preferences for Unpretentious music. A study involving 71,714 participants across 36 countries found a correlation of r=.11 (p<.00001) between Agreeableness and Unpretentious music (Greenberg et al., 2022). This large-scale cross-cultural study is notable for its use of unfamiliar musical stimuli to minimize confounding effects from prior associations, thereby enhancing the ecological validity of the findings.
Mellow musical styles feature romantic, slow, and quiet attributes, typically found in genres like soft rock, R&B, and adult contemporary.
Definition
Mellow musical styles feature romantic, slow, and quiet attributes, typically found in genres like soft rock, R&B, and adult contemporary.
Research Findings
Research indicates a positive association between Agreeableness and preferences for Mellow music. A study involving 71,714 participants across 36 countries found a correlation of r=.14 (p<.00001) between Agreeableness and Mellow music (Greenberg et al., 2022). This large-scale cross-cultural study is notable for its use of unfamiliar musical stimuli to minimize confounding effects from prior associations, thereby enhancing the ecological validity of the findings. Supporting this, research using Spotify streaming data from 5,808 users found Agreeableness positively correlated with Jazz (r=.124, p<.001) and Soul (r=.124, p<.001), with Soul/R&B often aligning with Mellow styles (Anderson et al., 2021).
Nightmare frequency refers to how often an individual experiences nightmares; intensely negative dreams that typically awaken the sleeper and leave behind strong feelings of fear, distress, or lingering unease. Assessed via retrospective self-report rating scales (e.g., 8-point scales ranging from 'never' to 'several times a week').
Definition
Nightmare frequency refers to how often an individual experiences nightmares; intensely negative dreams that typically awaken the sleeper and leave behind strong feelings of fear, distress, or lingering unease. Assessed via retrospective self-report rating scales (e.g., 8-point scales ranging from 'never' to 'several times a week').
Research Findings
Research shows a small but significant negative association between Agreeableness and nightmare frequency. A meta-analysis of 89 studies (n=65,474; k=12 effect sizes) yielded an overall r=−.05 (p=.005; Marin et al., 2026), indicating that more agreeable individuals report somewhat fewer nightmares. This pattern is consistent with the idea that Agreeableness is associated with reduced engagement with distressing material and greater emotional regulation, even during sleep. Notably, this relationship distinguishes Agreeableness from Neuroticism and Openness: while the latter two are positively associated with nightmare frequency, Agreeableness is the only Big Five trait with a reliable inverse association. The effect is small in absolute terms and should be interpreted cautiously, as heterogeneity across studies was considerable.
Peer status refers to relationships within a peer group network using measures such as peer acceptance (one peer nominates another as a friend) and friendship (two peers nominate each other as friends). Status often refers to differences in prominence, respect, and influence among members of a group.
Definition
Peer status refers to relationships within a peer group network using measures such as peer acceptance (one peer nominates another as a friend) and friendship (two peers nominate each other as friends). Status often refers to differences in prominence, respect, and influence among members of a group.
Research Findings
Jensen-Campbell (2002) found a significant positive relationship between Agreeableness and measures of peer status among fifth- and sixth-grade children (.19; p < .01).
Romantic satisfaction refers to dating partners evaluations of the romantic relationship.
Definition
Romantic satisfaction refers to dating partners evaluations of the romantic relationship.
Research Findings
Watson (2000) found a significant positive relationship between scores of Agreeableness and Relationship Satisfaction among 136 dating couples (p < .01).
Behavioral control (structure) refers to the degree to which parents set clear expectations, supervise, and use consistent and appropriate discipline. It encompasses limit-setting, monitoring, contingent responding to child behavior, and scaffolding of self-regulation.
Definition
Behavioral control (structure) refers to the degree to which parents set clear expectations, supervise, and use consistent and appropriate discipline. It encompasses limit-setting, monitoring, contingent responding to child behavior, and scaffolding of self-regulation.
Research Findings
Research shows that higher parental Agreeableness is associated with more consistent and appropriate behavioral control. Prinzie et al. (2009) meta-analysis (12 studies; n=1,903 dyads) found r=.10 (p<.01). Agreeable parents set limits and enforce rules in a kind, non-coercive manner, providing structure without excessive harshness (Prinzie et al., 2009). McCabe (2014) replicated this positive association. Maternal Agreeableness showed particularly robust links to reduced laxness and permissiveness in Belgian samples studying parents of elementary-school-age children (Prinzie et al., 2019 review).
Autonomy support refers to parental behaviors that encourage children's independent exploration, self-expression, and goal formulation. Its conceptual opposite, coercion or psychological control, is characterized by intrusiveness, overprotection, and high power assertion.
Definition
Autonomy support refers to parental behaviors that encourage children's independent exploration, self-expression, and goal formulation. Its conceptual opposite, coercion or psychological control, is characterized by intrusiveness, overprotection, and high power assertion.
Research Findings
Research shows that, along with low Neuroticism, high Agreeableness is one of only two Big Five traits significantly related to parental autonomy support. Prinzie et al. (2009) meta-analysis (16 studies; n=2,702 dyads) found r=.11 (p<.001). Agreeable parents are less intrusive, less likely to attribute malicious intent to child disobedience, and more capable of emotional regulation during conflict, all of which support children's autonomy striving (Prinzie et al., 2009). This finding is notable because most Big Five traits were not significantly associated with autonomy support.
Parental warmth refers to the degree to which parents intentionally foster individuality, self-regulation, and self-assertion by being attuned, supportive, and responsive to the child's emotional and developmental needs. It encompasses acceptance, affection, positive affect, and sensitivity in parent–child interactions.
Definition
Parental warmth refers to the degree to which parents intentionally foster individuality, self-regulation, and self-assertion by being attuned, supportive, and responsive to the child's emotional and developmental needs. It encompasses acceptance, affection, positive affect, and sensitivity in parent–child interactions.
Research Findings
Research shows that Agreeableness is among the strongest personality predictors of parental warmth, with the association robust across parent gender and assessment method. Prinzie et al. (2009) meta-analysis (16 studies; n=1,995 dyads) found r=.19 (p<.001)—the largest effect among the Big Five for warmth. Moderator analyses revealed this link was stronger for younger parents and children: the older the parent and child, the weaker the association (b=−0.58, z=−2.45, p<.05 for parent age; b=−0.62, z=−2.53, p<.05 for child age). McCabe's (2014) multivariate meta-analysis found that after controlling for all personality traits, the Agreeableness–warmth association became even stronger, uniquely distinguishing it from other traits. High Agreeableness parents tend to interpret child misbehavior charitably and regulate emotions effectively during caregiving (Prinzie et al., 2019).
Criminal behavior indicates that someone has participated in an unlawful act (e.g., theft, vandalism, robbery, assault, public endangerment, etc.).
Definition
Criminal behavior indicates that someone has participated in an unlawful act (e.g., theft, vandalism, robbery, assault, public endangerment, etc.).
Research Findings
In an experiment with college undergraduates who were studying criminal justice (n=230), Wiebe (2004) found a significant relationship between lower scores in Agreeableness and Criminal Acts (-.25; p < .01).
Extrinsic career success (e.g., salary and promotions) refer to observable rewards from the job.
Definition
Extrinsic career success (e.g., salary and promotions) refer to observable rewards from the job.
Research Findings
In a longitudinal study of gifted children, Judge (1999) found a significant negative relationship where higher childhood scores of Agreeableness were correlated with lower extrinsic career success later in life (p < .01).
Leadership behavior involves inspiring the support of followers to cooperate and take action.
Definition
Leadership behavior involves inspiring the support of followers to cooperate and take action.
Research Findings
Among a group of 316 potential community leaders, Judge & Bono (2000) found a significant correlation between Agreeableness and higher scores of transformational leadership (.27; p < .01).
Occupational attainment is a construct representing different levels of success according to an objective (e.g., low-level unskilled jobs or high-level highly skilled jobs).
Definition
Occupational attainment is a construct representing different levels of success according to an objective (e.g., low-level unskilled jobs or high-level highly skilled jobs).
Research Findings
In a longitudinal study that followed over a thousand new borns over time as they grew up, Roberts (2003) found a significant positive relationship where higher scores in Agreeableness / Communal Positive Emotionality at age 18 predected higher occupational attainment at age 26.
According to Hollands RIASEC model, Social occupational interests include helping, teaching, treating, counseling, or serving others through personal interaction (Holland, 1996).
Definition
According to Hollands RIASEC model, Social occupational interests include helping, teaching, treating, counseling, or serving others through personal interaction (Holland, 1996).
Research Findings
Larson et al. (2002) and Barrick et al. (2003) both find meta-analytic evidence to suggest that those who score high on Agreeableness are likely to express interest in Social occupations.
Masking refers to the practice of wearing a face covering when in the presence of other people, as a method to prevent the spread of airborne diseases.
Definition
Masking refers to the practice of wearing a face covering when in the presence of other people, as a method to prevent the spread of airborne diseases.
Research Findings
In a study of over 1,000 participants, controlling for socioeconomic factors, Wilroth et al. (2021), found agreeableness to be positively associated with mask wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic (p < .001 in longitudinal analysis and p<.05 in a separate cross-sectional analysis). In a survey of 35,000 U.S. adults surveyed from July - December 2020, Rothwell reported a significant positive association between agreeableness and mask use in stores and (to a lesser significance) use of a mask near friends.
In the context of a pandemic health crisis, sheltering in place refers to the act of adhering to publich health guidelines to stay at a primary residence, avoiding travel and other public settings as much as possible.
Definition
In the context of a pandemic health crisis, sheltering in place refers to the act of adhering to publich health guidelines to stay at a primary residence, avoiding travel and other public settings as much as possible.
Research Findings
In a study of over 100,000 participants, controlling for socioeconomic factors, G?tz et al. (2020), found agreeableness to be positively associated with sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic (p < .001).
Vaccine hesitancy and resistance refers to a situation where someone is unsure of or against vaccination.
Definition
Vaccine hesitancy and resistance refers to a situation where someone is unsure of or against vaccination.
Research Findings
In a study with over 2,000 U.K. participants, Murphey et al. (2021) found that agreeableness was negatively related to vaccine hesitancy (p<.001).
Volunteerism involves planned prosocial behavior benefitting strangers.
Definition
Volunteerism involves planned prosocial behavior benefitting strangers.
Research Findings
In a study of ~800 college students, Carlo et al. (2005) found a significant correlation between higher scores in Agreeableness and Volunteerism. In an online survey of 1,100 people, Penner (2002) found a similar relationship between volunteerism and other-oriented empathy (which is strongly associated with Agreeableness).