Honesty as the Sixth Factor of Personality Flashcards
What is the central concept of Ashton et al. (2000) study?
The study introduces honesty as the sixth factor of personality, distinct from the Big Five, and examines its correlations with traits like Machiavellianism, primary psychopathy, and social adroitness.
How does the study define honesty in the context of personality?
Honesty is described as a personality trait related to truthfulness, integrity, and adherence to ethical principles, encompassing qualities like sincerity, fairness, and moral character.
What is the relationship between honesty and the Big Five personality traits?
Honesty is conceptualized as an additional factor beyond the Big Five, complementing but not overlapping with traits like conscientiousness or agreeableness.
What traits are correlated with honesty according to the study?
Machiavellianism (manipulativeness),
Primary psychopathy (lack of empathy, impulsivity),
Social adroitness (social charm, tact).
How does honesty correlate with Machiavellianism?
Honesty is negatively correlated with Machiavellianism: individuals high in Machiavellianism (who are manipulative and deceitful) tend to score low on honesty.
How does honesty relate to primary psychopathy?
Honesty is negatively correlated with primary psychopathy: individuals who exhibit traits like callousness, lack of empathy, and impulsivity tend to score low on honesty.
What is the relationship between honesty and social adroitness?
Honesty is positively correlated with social adroitness, suggesting that individuals who are high in honesty tend to be socially skilled, tactful, and able to navigate social situations effectively while maintaining ethical behavior.
What does the study suggest about honesty as a factor in personality?
The study proposes that honesty is an independent personality factor that helps distinguish people who are more moral and ethical (honest) from those who are more self-serving or manipulative.
How does the concept of honesty challenge traditional personality models?
The study expands the Big Five model by adding honesty as a distinct, sixth factor, which is not fully captured by traits like agreeableness or conscientiousness.
What implications does the inclusion of honesty as a sixth factor have for psychological assessments?
Honesty as a sixth factor provides a more nuanced understanding of personality, allowing for better assessments of moral character, ethical behavior, and integrity in individuals.
How does the study contribute to understanding psychopathy and manipulative behaviors?
By correlating honesty with Machiavellianism and primary psychopathy, the study shows how ethical behavior (honesty) can be used to identify individuals who are prone to manipulative or harmful behaviors.
