title: Sources of variance in personality facets: a multiple-rater twin study of self-peer, peer-peer, and self-self (dis)agreement.
abstract: This study considered the validity of the personality structure based on the Five-Factor Model using both self- and peer reports on twins' NEO-PI-R facets. Separating common from specific genetic variance in self- and peer reports, this study examined genetic substance of different trait levels and rater-specific perspectives relating to personality judgments. Data of 919 twin pairs were analyzed using a multiple-rater twin model to disentangle genetic and environmental effects on domain-level trait, facet-specific trait, and rater-specific variance. About two thirds of both the domain-level trait variance and the facet-specific trait variance was attributable to genetic factors. This suggests that the more personality is measured accurately, the better these measures reflect the genetic structure. Specific variance in self- and peer reports also showed modest to substantial genetic influence. This may indicate not only genetically influenced self-rater biases but also substance components specific for self- and peer raters' perspectives on traits actually measured.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Bielefeld University, Germany. christian.kandler@uni-bielefeld.de
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kandler
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Riemann
authors.forename: Frank M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Spinath
authors.forename: Alois
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Angleitner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010551:Personality / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D012931:Social Environment; D018433:Twin Studies as Topic; D014427:Twins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult