Only three factors of personality description are fully replicable across languages: A comparison of 14 trait taxonomies.

Abstract

We tested the hypothesis that only 3 factors of personality description are replicable across many different languages if they are independently derived by a psycholexical approach. Our test was based on 14 trait taxonomies from 12 different languages. Factors were compared at each level of factor extraction with solutions with 1 to 6 factors. The 294 factors in the comparisons were identified using sets of markers of the 6-factor model by correlating the marker scales with the factors. The factor structures were pairwise compared in each case on the basis of the common variables that define the 2 sets of factors. Congruence coefficients were calculated between the varimax rotated structures after Procrustes rotation, where each structure in turn served as a target to which all other structures were rotated. On the basis of average congruence coefficients of all 91 comparisons, we conclude that factor solutions with 3 factors on average are replicable across languages; solutions with more factors are not.

The Personality Lexicon in Brazilian Portuguese: Studies with Natural Language

“…This approach is also exemplified by large-scale cross-cultural studies, which have WEIRD models, markers and instruments as a reference (e.g., Allik & McCrae, 2004;Bartram, De Fruyt, Bolle, McCrae, Terracciano, & Costa, 2009;De Raad et al, 2010;McCrae & Terracciano, 2005a, 2005bSchmitt et al, 2007;Zecca et al, 2012). These cross-cultural etic studies are based on tests of invariance or equivalence of measures that assess the multi-group comparability of constructs or scores (Byrne & Van de Vijver, 2014;Church et al, 2011).…”

“…On the other hand, there are several studies that have failed to find evidence to prove the stability of the five factors and their facets between different cultures. For example, there are studies that found models with three (De Raad et al, 2010), six , seven , and nine factors , Daouk-Ory et al, 2016. In relation to this problem of cross-cultural replicability, De Raad et al (2010) concluded that they do not believe "that a final canonical response can be given, considering the incompatibility of specific language structures, each with different trait variables and different participants" (p. 171).…”

“…For example, there are studies that found models with three (De Raad et al, 2010), six , seven , and nine factors , Daouk-Ory et al, 2016. In relation to this problem of cross-cultural replicability, De Raad et al (2010) concluded that they do not believe "that a final canonical response can be given, considering the incompatibility of specific language structures, each with different trait variables and different participants" (p. 171). Church et al (2011), whose study focused on the question of the invariance of the measure, concluded that the issue of the validity of cross-cultural comparisons has not yet been resolved.…”

“…There are many controversies regarding the criteria to be used in determining the primary and universal personality dimensions De Raad et al, 2010;De Raad & Milacic, 2015;Eysenck, 1991Eysenck, , 1992Goldberg & Rosolack, 1994).…”

“…The construction of robust psychometric instruments (Smith, Fischer, Vignoles, & Bond, 2013) enabled cross-cultural comparative research. As a consequence, the hypothesis regarding the cross-cultural universality of these models emerged Costa & McCrae, 2014;De Raad et al, 2010;Gurven, von Rueden, Massekoff, Kaplan, & Vie, 2013;Schmitt, Allik, McCrae, & Benet-Martínez, 2007).…”