The validity and structure of culture-level personality scores: data from ratings of young adolescents

J Pers. 2010 Jun;78(3):815-38. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-6494.2010.00634.x.

Abstract

We examined properties of culture-level personality traits in ratings of targets (N=5,109) ages 12 to 17 in 24 cultures. Aggregate scores were generalizable across gender, age, and relationship groups and showed convergence with culture-level scores from previous studies of self-reports and observer ratings of adults, but they were unrelated to national character stereotypes. Trait profiles also showed cross-study agreement within most cultures, 8 of which had not previously been studied. Multidimensional scaling showed that Western and non-Western cultures clustered along a dimension related to Extraversion. A culture-level factor analysis replicated earlier findings of a broad Extraversion factor but generally resembled the factor structure found in individuals. Continued analysis of aggregate personality scores is warranted.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Cross-Cultural Comparison*
  • Culture
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Personality Inventory*
  • Personality*