On the social malleability of traits: variability and consistency in big 5 trait expression across three interpersonal contexts

Robinson, Oliver C. (2009) On the social malleability of traits: variability and consistency in big 5 trait expression across three interpersonal contexts. Journal of Individual Differences, 30 (4). pp. 201-208. ISSN 1614-0001 (Print), 2151-2299 (Online)

Abstract

The current study investigated the effects of social context on Big 5 trait expression, and the moderating influence of social context on gender differences in personality. A short Big 5 instrument assessed trait expression in three contexts: with parents, with friends, and with work colleagues. Findings indicated significant cross-context variation in all five traits, while also showing cross-context within-trait correlations. These cross-context correlations found that Conscientiousness was the most stable of the Big 5 traits and that Extraversion the least stable across the three contexts assessed. Gender effects were found only at the trait-in-context level, suggesting a role for social context in moderating personality gender differences.

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