Revealing the hierarchical structure of temperamental constructs distinguished in eight theories

Klaudia Ponikiewska; Włodzimierz Strus; Jan Cieciuch

doi:10.1016/j.actpsy.2022.103557

Revealing the hierarchical structure of temperamental constructs distinguished in eight theories

Acta Psychol (Amst). 2022 Jun:226:103557. doi: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2022.103557. Epub 2022 Mar 16.

Authors

Klaudia Ponikiewska¹, Włodzimierz Strus², Jan Cieciuch³

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Psychology, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Poland. Electronic address: k.ponikiewska@uksw.edu.pl.
² Institute of Psychology, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Poland.
³ Institute of Psychology, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Poland; University Research Priority Program Social Networks, University of Zurich, Switzerland.

PMID: 35306271
DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2022.103557

Abstract

The paper explores the hierarchical structure of temperament with the inclusion of a wide catalog of temperamental constructs derived from eight different theoretical models. Analyses were conducted on a group of 412 participants aged from 16 to 79 (M_age = 28.49, SD_age = 11.64), administrating nine well-established measures of temperament, with a representation of 34 different constructs. An eight-level hierarchical structure of temperament was obtained using a top-down procedure. The results are discussed twofold: (1) relating the subsequent levels of the obtained structure to the existing theories and models of temperament, and (2) regarding possible identification of the most general dimensions of temperament, that percolate the abundant catalogs of its specific constructs. The latter-considering both an empirical and theoretical perspectives-resulted in the emergence of the Big Two broad factors, being recognized as two fundamental dimensions of temperament. The first factor (Neuroticism/Emotionality) refers to general (negative) emotionality and susceptibility to react with negative affect, whereas the second (Extraversion/Sensation Seeking) is expressed in broadly understood activity and its diversity, as well as high stimuli value of functioning.

Keywords: Big Two of temperament; Extraversion/Sensation Seeking; Neuroticism/Emotionality; hierarchical structure of temperament; temperament theories.

MeSH terms

Humans
Neuroticism
Temperament*