Escapable conclusions: Toomela (2003) and the universality of trait structure.
A. Toomela (2003) concluded that personality structure may be shaped by a cultural mechanism, word meaning structure, and that the apparent universality of the Five-Factor Model (FFM) was the result of inadequate sampling of concrete thinkers. A reanalysis using targeted rotation showed that the intended structure was generally replicated; small deviations in the most concrete thinkers were probably due to measurement error. The reanalysis authors found no evidence of structural differences in a second sample of adults classified as concrete or abstract thinkers. The FFM structure has been replicated in many samples containing individuals with cognitive or educational limitations; observer ratings may be preferred if these limitations are severe. To date, there is no compelling evidence that culture affects personality structure.
Department of Psychology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
Jüri
J
Allik
Robert R
RR
McCrae
D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition; D003469:Culture; D006801:Humans; D010551:Personality; D011582:Psychological Theory