Research Feed

A curated collection of research papers and articles exploring the Big Five personality traits.

RESEARCH
Agreeableness Neuroticism
Perceived personality associations with differences in sense of humor: Stereotypes of hypothetical others with high or low senses of humor
Cann, A. & Calhoun, L.G. · Humor: International Journal of Humor Research · July 2001

This research highlights how a strong sense of humor acts as a powerful social asset by shaping how others perceive our personality. Across two studies, observers consistently linked a 'well above average' sense of humor to a suite of socially desirable traits. Specifically, individuals with a gr...

RESEARCH
Conscientiousness Agreeableness
Structural Models of Personality and Their Relation To Antisocial Behavior: A Meta-Analytic Review
Miller & Lynam · Criminology · January 2001

This meta-analysis of 59 studies demonstrates that personality research provides a powerful lens for understanding criminology. By comparing four major structural models—PEN, the three-factor model, the FFM, and the seven-factor model—the authors found that antisocial behavior consistently correl...

RESEARCH
Conscientiousness Extraversion Agreeableness
General Traits of Personality and Affectivity as Predictors of Satisfaction in Intimate Relationships: Evidence from Self- and Partner-Ratings
Watson et al. · Journal of Personality · January 2000

This study examined how personality traits and emotional tendencies relate to relationship satisfaction in married and dating couples. Both self- and partner-ratings of an individual’s personality showed similar predictive patterns, with positive and negative affectivity emerging as key influence...

RESEARCH
Openness Conscientiousness Extraversion Agreeableness Neuroticism
Spirituality: Description, Measurement, and Relation to the Five Factor Model of Personality
MacDonald, D.A. · Journal of Personality · January 2000

This research identifies five robust dimensions of spirituality that constitute the Expressions of Spirituality Inventory (ESI): Cognitive Orientation, Experiential/Phenomenological, Existential Well-Being, Paranormal Beliefs, and Religiousness. While these dimensions correlate differentially wit...

RESEARCH
Extraversion Agreeableness
Five-factor model of personality and transformational leadership
Judge & Bono · Journal of Applied Psychology · January 2000

This study of leaders across 200 organizations found that Extraversion and Agreeableness are the strongest predictors of transformational leadership behavior. While Openness to Experience showed an initial positive correlation, its impact vanished when controlling for other traits, and Neuroticis...

RESEARCH
Conscientiousness Agreeableness Neuroticism
The Big Five personality traits, general mental ability, and career success across the life span
Judge et al. · Personnel Psychology · January 1999

Drawing from the longitudinal Intergenerational Studies, this research proves that personality and cognitive ability independently drive career success. Conscientiousness consistently predicted both job satisfaction and higher income, while Neuroticism hindered extrinsic achievements. Furthermore...

RESEARCH
Agreeableness
Meta-analytic review of research on hostility and physical health
Miller et al. · Psychological Bulletin · January 1996

This meta-analysis of 45 studies identifies hostility as an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) and all-cause mortality. Using structured interviews to measure hostile potential yielded a correlation of r=.18 with CHD. Notably, the Cook-Medley Hostility Scale and similar cogn...