Economics and psychology of personality traits

Angela Lee Duckworth

University of Pennsylvania

June 2009

Outline

• What is the conceptual distinction between cognitive and non-cognitive traits (including personality)?

• Can these two classes of traits be distinguished empirically?

• How do psychologists organize and measure personality traits?

• What is the evidence for predictive validity of personality traits?

• How stable are personality traits over the life course?

Conceptual distinctions

Empirical distinctions

• IQ = “Intelligence Quotient”• Mental age / chronological age

IQ Test motivationIntelligence

Meta-analysis

• 46 samples from 25 random-assignment, between-subjects studies using material rewards vs. no rewards

• Total N = 2008

• Overall effect was g = .64

• IQ of sample moderated the effect– Above-100 IQ effect was g = .24– Below-100 IQ effect was g = .94

Personality and motivation

Variable 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

1. Test Motivation - .13* .15* .02 -.05 .15* .28***

2. Agreeableness .14* - .41*** -.04 -.12 .16** .01

3. Conscientiousness .10 .42*** - .08 -.35*** .22*** .19**

4. Extraversion .01 -.04 .08 - -.37*** .05 .02

5. Neuroticism -.01 -.12 -.34*** -.37*** - -.24*** -.12

6. Openness to Experience

.05 .17** .17** .04 -.21*** - .34***

7. IQ - - - - - - -

Factor Facets Definition of Factor ACLa Marker Items for Factor

I. Openness to Experience (Intellect) Fantasy,Aesthetics,Feelings,Actions,Ideas,Values

The degree to which a person needs intellectual stimulation, change, and variety.

Commonplace, Narrow-interest, Simple- vs. Wide-interest, Imaginative, Intelligent

II. Conscientiousness Competence,Order,Dutifulness,Achievement striving,Self-discipline,Deliberation

The degree to which a person is willing to comply with conventional rules, norms, and standards.

Careless, Disorderly, Frivolous vs. Organized, Thorough, Precise

III. Extraversion Warmth,Gregariousness,Assertiveness,Activity,Excitement seeking,Positive emotions

The degree to which a person needs attention and social interaction.

Quiet, Reserved, Shy vs. Talkative, Assertive, Active

IV. Agreeableness Trust,Straight-forwardness,Altruism,Compliance,Modesty,Tender-mindedness

The degree to which a person needs pleasant and harmonious relations with others.

Fault-finding, Cold, Unfriendly vs. Sympathetic, Kind, Friendly

V. Neuroticism (Emotional Stability) Anxiety,Angry hostility,Depression,Self-consciousness,Impulsiveness,Vulnerability

The degree to which a person experiences the world as threatening and beyond his/her control.

Tense, Anxious, Nervous vs. Stable, Calm, Contented

Multi-method assessment

• The precision and accuracy of personality measures can be increased using multi-method assessment

• Predictive validities with superior measurement can rival (or even surpass) those of IQ

Rank-order stability of personality

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

0-2.9 3-5.9 6-11.9 12-17.9 18-21.9 22-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-73

Age Periods

Ran

k-O

rder

Tra

it C

onsi

sten

cy

r =0.7

Mean-level changes in personality Social Vitality

-0.2

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Age

Cu

mu

lati

ve d

Val

ue

Social Dominance

-0.2

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Age

Cu

mu

lati

ve d

Val

ue

Agreeableness

-0.2

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Age

Cu

mu

lati

ve d

Val

ue

Conscientiousness

-0.2

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

AgeC

um

ula

tive

d V

alu

e

Emotional Stability

-0.2

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Age

Cu

mu

lati

ve d

Val

ue

Openness to Experience

-0.2

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Age

Cu

mu

lati

ve d

Val

ue

Concluding comments

• Personality can be distinguished conceptually and empirically from cognitive ability (intelligence)

• Personality may be more malleable• Personality and cognitive ability predict the

same economic, social, and health outcomes

• Economists and psychologists should collaborate