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.

Life Events as Environmental States and Genetic Traits and the Role of Personality: A Longitudinal Twin Study

“…Personality is strongly genetically influenced (Kandler et al 2010b) and genetic factors contribute primarily to continuity in personality traits (Bleidorn et al 2009;Blonigen et al 2008;Johnson et al 2005;Viken et al 1994). Personality traits may not only affect how individuals interpret and perceive their environments but also influence which experience individuals do.…”

The Effect of Online Review Configurations, Prices, and Personality on Online Purchase Decisions: A Study of Online Review Profiles on eBay

“…Additionally, while it has been argued that individual behaviors can be explained by personality traits (e.g., Barrick and Mount 1991;Hough et al 1990;Ones, Viswesvaran, and Schmidt 1993), it is indeed important to analyze the functions of personality traits in the context of online reviews. Among numerous personality traits, the Big-Five personality traits have received much attention because they are cross-cultural valid, highly stable, and strongly genetically determined (Kandler et al 2010;McCrae and Costa 2003). In the following section, the authors provide a brief discussion on the Big-Five personality traits.…”

Genetic strategies for probing conscientiousness and its relationship to aging.

“…It may also be necessary to modify our current personality assessment methods in order to better identify an etiologically-coherent consciousness construct. Research that uses multiple raters to examine the genetic and environmental influences on NEO-PI-R domains and facets finds a greater proportion of variance attributable to genetic influences than studies using single or multiple self-reports (Kandler, Riemann, Spinath, & Angleitner, 2010b). This phenomenon (estimates of greater heritability) may reflect a more accurate cross-situational phenotype, as the domain that is modeled better captures commonalities of behavior across different settings to which observers have access.…”