Broad versus narrow traits: Conscientiousness and honesty–humility as predictors of academic criteria

Abstract

Recent research has suggested that the six-dimensional personality model, and especially the dimension Honesty-Humility/Integrity, adds incremental validity to the prediction of important criteria. We expected both this dimension and the dimension Conscientiousness to explain incremental variance in two academic criteria, namely grade point average (GPA) and counterproductive academic behaviour (CAB). In addition, we expected the more specific, so-called narrow traits of Conscientiousness and Honesty-Humility/Integrity to be stronger predictors of academic criteria than the broad traits. To test these expectations, two studies were conducted using the HEXACO Personality Inventory Revised (HEXACO-PI-R) and the Multicultural Personality Test-Big Six (MPT-BS). The results confirmed our expectations and suggest that academic criteria may be predicted with greater accuracy by focusing on the narrow traits of Conscientiousness and Honesty-Humility/Integrity.

Relating the Spherical representation of vocational interests to the HEXACO personality model

“…Each of these six main dimensions consists of four facets. The HEXACO dimensions together explain more variance than the Big Five dimensions in antisocial organizational behavior (Lee, Ashton, & Shin, 2005), in delinquency (Lee, Ashton, & de Vries, 2005), in counterproductive academic behavior (De Vries, De Vries, & Born, 2010;, and -most importantly for this study -in RIASEC vocational interests (McKay & Tokar, 2012).…”

Bifactor Models of Personality and College Student Performance: A Broad versus Narrow View

“…Also like the Big Five, the HEXACO model asserts that personality can be described using several higher‐order traits; however, the HEXACO model identifies six broad personality factors: Honesty‐Humility (H), Emotionality (E), Extraversion (X), Agreeableness (A), Conscientiousness (C) and Openness (O). The most notable distinction between the Big Five and HEXACO models is the inclusion of the sixth factor, Honesty‐Humility (Ashton & Lee, ; Oswald & Hough, ; de Vries, de Vries, & Born, ), which contains personality facets absent from alternative personality structures, such as Sincerity, Fairness, Modesty and Greed Avoidance. Therefore, the addition of Honesty‐Humility to the HEXACO model presents potential advantages over the Big Five for predicting unethical behaviours across a variety of contexts (e.g.…”

“…Ashton & Lee, ; Lee, Ashton, & de Vries, ). These associations may also translate to the prediction of academic dishonesty and counterproductive behaviours in educational settings (Credé & Niehorster, ; de Vries et al, )—behaviours of considerable concern for academicians and university administrators.…”

Conscientiousness in the Classroom: A Process Explanation

“…To be sure, there is a long‐standing discussion about the relative utility of broad versus narrow personality constructs and measures in the literature (cf. de Vries, de Vries, & Born, ; Ones & Viswesvaran, ). One argument favoring studies that focus on narrower attributes is that they can provide better insight into why broader attributes like Conscientiousness are linked with performance (de Vries et al, ).…”

“…de Vries, de Vries, & Born, ; Ones & Viswesvaran, ). One argument favoring studies that focus on narrower attributes is that they can provide better insight into why broader attributes like Conscientiousness are linked with performance (de Vries et al, ). This level of analysis is useful, given our own focus on the precise mechanisms involving effort and perseverance that link Conscientiousness to academic outcomes.…”