A Different Perspective on Personality: An Evolutionary Theory of Universal Values

Abstract

Traits and personal values are important components of personality. The Schwartz (1992) system provides a comprehensive means of measuring the latter, but neither the Big Five or its HEXACO update provides a comprehensive and systematic means of measuring the former. Despite this, there is a tendency in academia for personality research to focus on traits. Previous research shows that values, like traits, are heritable and can be read reliably by others. Also, unlike traits, differences in values have been shown to support popular perceptions regarding the personality differences of siblings and only-children. Building from foundations in physical science and drawing from research in evolutionary biology and complexity theory, we present a theory that suggests Schwartz’s system of values represents and evolved from universal schema. According to this, equivalents of all values are present in the universal system and internalised hierarchically as local systems become increasingly complex and adaptive. It states that equivalents of benevolence and the conservation values are present in all stable systems, that organisms increasingly internalise equivalents to the self-enhancing values, until, with the evolution of intelligence, equivalents to the pro-change values of hedonism, stimulation and self-direction are internalised. While the independent thought and action associated with self-direction, and an ability to recognise one’s place in a wider system (universalism) are not unique to humanity, they are uniquely developed in humanity, and only in humanity does reciprocal altruism (benevolence) operate rationally and universally. We conclude by providing testable hypotheses and examples of sympathetic cultural developments.