Personality at the country level: The Big Five, culture and international competitiveness.

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1 27 May 2013 Personality at the country level: The Big Five, culture and international competitiveness. Dave Bartram, Chief Psychologist, SHL 1

2 Outline Review multi-national research using OPQ32i and OPQ32r data Focus is on country level differences and effects Specifically concerned with: Country similarities and differences Relationships of these differences to other country measures: Cultural dimensions Performance measures Key practice question is do results support scalar equivalence? If so this supports the use of multi-national norms and is counter to use of country-specific norms for multinational comparisons. Discussion 2

Introduction to the OPQ Model OPQ32 is an occupational model of personality that describes 32 dimensions of people s preferred or typical styles of behaviour at work.

3 Introduction to the OPQ Model OPQ32 is an occupational model of personality that describes 32 dimensions of people s preferred or typical styles of behaviour at work. Forced choice format: OPQ32i, 104 quads, producing 32 ipsative scales OPQ32r, 104 triplets, producing 32 normative scales Subsets of the 32 scales can be aggregated to provide measures of the Big 5 personality factors. Further details: OPQ32 Technical Manual, 2006 and later supplements on ; BPS Test Review, 2010, on 3

rating scale Not subject to cultural and translation biases associated with the scale

4 Forced-choice format as used in OPQ32 OPQ32i ipsative scaling Used to 2009 OPQ32r normative (& ipsative) scaling Used from 2009 Comparative judgement overcomes problems of rating scale Not subject to cultural and translation biases associated with the scale point definitions and usage. Shown to reduce uniform response biases and social desirability responding 4

5 SHL cross-cultural research published to date: Bartram (2013, 2012) reported on analyses of OPQ32i data across 31 countries Results have been published supporting construct equivalence across countries for the 32 primary scales and OPQ32 Big 5 scales (Bartram, 2012, 2013). Also shown that much of the between country differences in means and SDs is accountable for by independent country level measures (Culture, GCI, UN HDI etc). Evidence has also been published supporting scalar equivalence for the OPQ32 Big Five (Bartram, 2013) based on OPQ32i data. Paper looking at the OPQ32i and OPQ32r data and at the 32- scale level data in press in IJQRE. This presentation will review some of the findings from these publications. 5

6 The OPQ32 data set: People level = 1,002,253; Country level = 31 Country Language Total Male Female Country Language Total Male Female Australia English Japan Japanese Belgium French Latin America Spanish Belgium Flemish Multi-level 8358 analysis simultaneously Malaysia English looks Brazil Portuguese at data 12549at the 8705 individual 3791 Middle level East Arabic (Level 1) Canada French Netherlands Dutch Simplified and the aggregate level (Level 2). China PRC Chinese New Zealand English Denmark Danish Norway Norwegian This lets us see how much of the total Finland Finnish Poland Polish France French variance 9075 is 5149 occurring 2761 Portugal at each Portuguese of these Germany German levels. Russia Russian Greece Greek S. Africa English Traditional Hong Kong Chinese Analysis of between-country 3063 Spain Spanish effects Hungary Hungarian focuses 1658 on 882the 708 variance Sweden at Swedish Level India English UK English Indonesia Indonesian USA English Italy Italian

7 Multi-Level Analyses The OPQ32i data were subject to multi-level analysis. This showed that the proportions of score variance accounted for by between country differences were: Emotional stability = 7.98% Extraversion = 6.15% Openness= 4.11% Agreeableness = 4.64% Conscientiousness = 3.86% We need to know if this is meaningful variance or between country measurement error/bias. 7

8 OPQ32i Big 5: r=0.52 8

9 Country level culture: Hofstede s dimensions Individualism (IDV) is the degree to which people in a country prefer to act as individuals rather than as members of groups (Hofstede, 1994, p.6). This dimension is often referred to as individualism-collectivism. Power-distance (PDI) relates to the extent to which it is accepted that the power vested in institutions and organizations is distributed unequally. This gets reflected in the degree to which people feel free to disagree with their superiors and the degree to which their superiors feel the need to consult. Masculinity (MAS), often referred to as masculinity-femininity, contrasts valuing assertiveness, success, competition over personal relationships, caring for the weak and cooperation. In high MAS cultures males tend to be more assertive and competitive than females, whereas in low MAS cultures, both genders are relatively more cooperative and caring. Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI) reflects a preference for clear formal rules and guidance. High scores are associated with intolerance for deviant behaviors and a belief in absolute truths. 9

10 Correlation,800 Hofstede with OPQ32i Big 5 means: k=31,600,400,200,000 -,200 -,400 -,600 -,800 PDI IDV MAS UAI Emotional Stability -,708,545 -,443 -,601 Extraversion -,647,391 -,542 -,058 Openness to Experience -,064,112,025,353 Agreeableness -,482,305 -,366 -,208 Conscientiousness -,321,368 -,036 -,217 10

11 Correlation 1,000 Hofstede with OPQ32i Big 5 SDs: k=31,800,600,400,200,000 -,200 -,400 -,600 -,800 PDI IDV MAS UAI Emotional Stability -,269,445,294,072 Extraversion -,403,452 -,053 -,287 Openness to Experience -,504,552 -,090,085 Agreeableness -,715,754 -,179 -,157 Conscientiousness -,424,537 -,058,154 11

12 Predicting OPQ32i Big 5 means from Hofstede Big 5 Scale R Prediction of Big 5 scales Beta values R Square F Sig PDI IDV MAS UAI Emotional Stability < Extraversion < Openness to Experience ns Agreeableness < Conscientiousness ns K=31 countries 12

13 Global Competitiveness and personality Produced by the World Economic Forum, the 31st GCI covers Covers a wide range of variables: The 12 Pillars of Competitiveness. These include: property rights, institutional corruption, judicial independence, government efficiency, quality of infrastructure, health and education, higher education and training, market efficiency, financial market sophistications, market size business sophistication and innovation. As well as statistical data, it includes data from the WEC Executive Opinion Survey of 13,000 business leaders in 133 countries 13

14 Correlation GCI2010 and OPQ32 Big 5 means,900,800,700,600,500,400,300,200,100,000 -,100 Emotional Stability Extraversion Openness to Experience Agreeableness Conscientiousnes s GCI 2010 Basic Requirements,537,425,171,765,162 GCI 2010 Efficiency,493,374,189,657,147 GCI 2010 Innovation & Sophistication,518,461,237,655 -,032 14

15 GCI2010 from Hofstede & 3 of OPQ32 Big 5 Model R R Square Adjusted R Square R Square Change F Change Sig. F Change Hofstede Hofstede+ 3 of Big 5 means

16 r=

17 Replication and cross-validation with OPQ32r data set 17

18 We can now compare two international data sets: Set A OPQ32i: Collected N= 1,002,253 K=31 Format: Forced-choice quads Data: Ipsative scales [Bartram, 2013 & 2012] Details of OPQ32r are presented in the technical manuals and norm supplements (SHL, 2009, 2012 & 2013) 24 Countries in common Set B OPQ32r: Collected N= 113,480 K=39 Format: Forced-choice triplets Data: Normative scales [Bartram, IJQRE in press] 18

19 % between country variance for Big 5: OPQ32i ipsative, OPQ32r normative and ipsative scores 10% 9% 8% 7% 6% 5% 4% OPQ32i OPQ32r_n OPQ32r_i 3% 2% 1% 0% Emotional Stability Extraversion Openness Agreeableness Conscientiousness 19

20 18,00% Variation in % of between-country variance: Scales sorted by average % 16,00% 14,00% 12,00% Between 3% and 15% of primary scale variance is between countries 10,00% 8,00% 6,00% OPQ32i OPQ32r_n OPQ32r_i 4,00% 2,00% 0,00% 20

21 SUMMARY OF BIG 5 RESULTS AND COMPARISONS WITH OTHER RESEARCH 21

22 Between-country validities : Criteria A large number of independent [country-level] criteria were examined. After analysing relationships between these, a core set of seven was used for examining relationships between country differences on OPQ scales and variance in the criteria: Hofstede scales: PDI, IDV, MAS and UAI World Economic Forum average GCI across three years CPI (Corruption Perceptions Index) average across two years UN HDI (Human Development Index) average across three years Rationale: If large proportions of the observed between country variance can be accounted for by independent country-level criteria, then this supports the scalar equivalence of the instrument across countries. 22

23 Comparison between average OPQ32 Big 5 country mean validities and those obtained from other data sets. OPQ32i and OPQ32r Big5 validities are very similar across the 2 data sets and for the different scoring options within data set B. In what follows will show the average validity of the OPQ32 across the two data sets, A and B (i.e. The mean of OPQ32i and OPQ32r_n validities): AvOPQ32 Emotional stability reversed to equate with Neuroticism. MC02 refers to the McCrae (2002) self-report NEO-PI- R data. MC05 refers to the McCrae, Terracciano et al (2005) NEO-PI-R peer-rating data 23

24 Correlation 0,80 Neuroticsm 0,60 0,40 0,20 0,00-0,20-0,40-0,60-0,80 PDI IDV MAS UAI GCI CPI HDI N_AvOPQ32 0,68-0,48 0,29 0,53-0,49-0,56-0,28 N_MC02 0,37-0,20 0,54 0,59-0,29-0,30-0,02 N_MC05 0,33-0,11-0,31 0,28-0,37-0,34-0,19 24

25 Correlation 0,80 Extraversion 0,60 0,40 0,20 0,00-0,20-0,40-0,60-0,80 PDI IDV MAS UAI GCI CPI HDI E_AvOPQ32-0,60 0,31-0,36-0,06 0,23 0,36 0,39 E_MC02-0,54 0,65-0,28-0,09 0,09 0,32 0,25 E_MC05-0,49 0,44-0,15 0,06 0,16 0,43 0,35 25

26 Correlation 0,60 Conscientiousness 0,40 0,20 0,00-0,20-0,40-0,60 PDI IDV MAS UAI GCI CPI HDI C_AvOPQ32-0,27 0,33 0,00-0,24-0,05 0,13-0,03 C_MC02 0,47-0,29 0,12-0,19-0,42-0,48-0,48 C_MC05 0,18-0,37 0,06 0,08-0,14-0,18-0,29 26

27 Correlation 0,80 Openness 0,60 0,40 0,20 0,00-0,20-0,40-0,60 PDI IDV MAS UAI GCI CPI HDI O_AvOPQ32-0,20 0,10 0,03 0,36 0,01 0,10 0,22 O_MC02-0,44 0,35 0,43 0,29 0,20 0,26 0,31 O_MC05-0,52 0,39 0,06-0,10 0,56 0,51 0,41 27

28 Correlation 0,80 Agreeableness 0,60 0,40 0,20 0,00-0,20-0,40-0,60 PDI IDV MAS UAI GCI CPI HDI A_AvOPQ32-0,52 0,34-0,39-0,29 0,67 0,74 0,62 A_MC02 0,10-0,13-0,53-0,49 0,36 0,28 0,13 A_MC05-0,25 0,17-0,37-0,04 0,19 0,26 0,06 28

29 Comparisons with the literature Consistent results for Extraversion and Emotional stability with previous research. Present research shows small positive relationships with Conscientiousness whereas McCrae finds negative correlations. Present research finds much stronger relationships with Agreeableness than previous research but less with Openness. Generally OPQ results more consistent with McCrae 02 [self-report] than McCrae 05 [peer report]. OPQ32 based Big 5, in general correlate more highly with external country level criteria than NEO studies report. 29

30 WHAT ABOUT THE 32 SCALES? 30

31 Double cross validation - method Best fitting Multiple Regressions computed with the OPQ32 scale country means as the dependent variables and the seven country level criteria as the independent (predictor) variables. These are computed separately for each sample A (OPQ32i, ipsative scores) and B (OPQ32r, normative scores) for all 32 scales. The equations produced from data set A are then applied to the data from set B and vice versa. The two cross-validated correlation coefficients are averaged to determine the final variance accounted for by the 7 criterion measures The same process was applied to the 32 scale country SDs to see how much variations in variance can be accounted for. 31

Cross validated Rs for prediction of OPQ32 32 primary scale means from the 7 criterion measures OPQ32 primary scales A B predicted predicted from B from A Mean R Mean % of

32 Cross validated Rs for prediction of OPQ32 32 primary scale means from the 7 criterion measures OPQ32 primary scales A B predicted predicted from B from A Mean R Mean % of betweencountry variance Minimum % Average % Maximum % Conscientious shows the lowest R values and Vigorous the highest 32

33 0,90 Scales 0rdered by cross-validated R values for scale means. 0,80 0,70 0,60 0,50 0,40 0,30 A predicted from B B predicted from A Mean R 0,20 0,10 0,00 33

34 Decisive Modest Emotionally Controlled Vigorous Variety Seeking Adaptable Detail Conscious Rule Following Worrying Innovative Outspoken Trusting Evaluative Forward Thinking Independent Minded Socially Confident Affiliative Relaxed Democratic Optimistic Conscientious Achieving Data Rational Outgoing Controlling Persuasive Behavioural Conceptual Caring Conventional Tough Minded Competitive Scales 0rdered by cross-validated R values for scale SDs. 0,80 0,70 0,60 0,50 0,40 0,30 0,20 A predicted from B B predicted from A Mean R 0,10 0,00 34

35 Patterns of validity To minimise sampling effects, criterion measures were correlated with each of the 32 OPQ scales across countries for each of the three measures OPQ32i ipsative and OPQ32r normative and OPQ32r ipsative. In addition to the 7 used above, country PISA performance measures and Cultural Tightness ratings were added. 35

36 Similar validity profiles for each criterion across the 32 scales Very similar pattern of validities for normative and ipsative scale measures on OPQ32r [0.943]. Similar patterns for the two between data set comparisons: & Criterion scale OPQ32i with OPQ32r_n OPQ32i with OPQ32r_i OPQ32r_n with OPQ32r_i PDI IDV MAS UAI GCI average CPI average HDI average Tightness PISA average Average

37 Other effects: Predicting country suicide rates from OPQ scales Suicide rates are per 100,000 of the population. OECD 2011 data. OPQ prediction equation correlates with country suicide rate. Low Controlling, Data rational, Evaluative, Behavioural, Innovative and Achieving. High Adaptable (cf. self-monitoring) 37

38 Predicting country suicide rates from OPQ scales 38

39 Summary Very high correlations between the country level criteria and some of the OPQ 32 scales. These relationships concern both soft criteria, such as rated country culture, and hard criteria, such as GDP, suicide rate, and life expectancy. OPQ32r findings replicate and extend those found for OPQ32i. Patterns of correlation very consistent across data sets A and B and across measurement scale types within data set B. 39

40 What does it all mean? There are some differences in personality between cultures. These differences are meaningful but small in relation to the differences between people within countries. Most are less than 0.5 SD, a few up to nearly 1 SD. However, we need to consider if different cultures attach different values to the same traits. A characteristic that is seen as good on one culture may be seen as neutral or even undesirable in another (e.g. GLOBE study). Supports claims for scalar equivalence and the use of multinational norms. 40

41 Why do these difference occur? Do country cultures moderate the expressions of people s personality? (Including their expression in responding to personality assessments). Do people take on attributes of country cultures? (i.e. Is you personality shaped by your culture?) Are country differences a reflection of more deepseated population genotypic differences? 41

42 THANK YOU 42

43 REFERENCES 43

44 References Bartram, D. (in press). A cross-validation of between country differences in personality using the OPQ32. International Journal of Quantitative Research in Education. Bartram, D. (2013). Scalar equivalence of OPQ32: Big Five profiles of 31 countries. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology. 44 (1), Bartram, D. (2012). Stability of OPQ32 personality constructs across languages, culture and countries. In A.M. Ryan, F.T.L. Leong & F.L. Oswald (Eds). Conducting Multinational Research: Applying Organizational Psychology in the Workplace. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association. Chapter 3, pp Bartram, D., & Brown, A. (2005). Five Factor Model (Big Five) OPQ32 Report: OPQ32 Technical Manual Supplement. Thames Ditton, UK: SHL Group Ltd. Brown, A., & Maydeu-Olivares, A. (2011). Item Response Modeling of Forced-Choice Questionnaires. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 71, Gelfand, M.J. & 44 others (2011) Differences between tight and loose cultures: A 33-nation study. Science, 332, Hofstede, G. (1980). Culture s consequences: International differences in work-related values. Beverley-Hills, CA: Sage. Hofstede, G. (2001). Culture s Consequences: Comparing Values, Behaviors, Institutions, and Organizations Across Nations (2 nd ed.). London, England: Sage. Lynn, R. & Martin, T. (1995). National differences for thirty-seven nations in extraversion, neuroticism, psychoticism and economic, demographic and other correlates. Personality and Individual Differences, 19, McRae, R.R. (2002). NEO-PI-R data from 36 cultures: Further intercultural comparisons. In R.R. McCrae & J. Allik. (Eds.), The five-factor model of personality across cultures (pp ). New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum. McRae, R.R., Terracciano, A., & 78 Members of the Personality Profiles of Cultures Project. (2005a). Universal features of personality traits from the observer s perspective: Data from 50 cultures. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 88,

45 References - continued McRae, R.R., Terracciano, A., & 79 Members of the Personality Profiles of Cultures Project. (2005b). Personality profiles of cultures: Aggregate personality traits. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 89, OECD (2010). PISA 2009 Results What students know and can do: Student performance in Reading Mathematics and Science (Volume 1). Downloaded February 2012 from: Schmitt, D.P., Allik, J., McCrae, R.R., & Benet-Martinez, V. (2007). The geographic distribution of Big Five personality traits: Patterns and profiles of human self-description across 56 nations. Journal of Cross Cultural Psychology, 38, SHL. (1999). OPQ32 Manual. Thames Ditton, England: SHL Group plc. SHL. (2005). OPQ32 User Manual. Thames Ditton, England: SHL Group Ltd SHL. (2006). OPQ32 Technical Manual. Thames Ditton, England: SHL Group Ltd SHL. (2009). OPQ32 Development and Psychometric Properties of OPQ32r (Supplement to the OPQ32 Technical Manual). Thames Ditton, England: SHL Group Ltd. Transparency International (2009). The Corruption Perceptions Index for Downloaded from: Transparency International (2010). The Corruption Perceptions Index for Downloaded from: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP, 2009). Human Development Report Overcoming Barriers: Human Mobility and Development. Statistical Annex. New York: UNDP. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP, 2010). Human Development Report The real wealth of nations: Pathways to human development. Statistical Annex. New York: UNDP. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP, 2011). Human Development Report Sustainability and equity: A better future for all. Statistical Annex. New York: UNDP. World Economic Forum (WEF, 2009). The Global Competitiveness Report Geneva, Switzerland: World Economic Forum. World Economic Forum (WEF, 2010). The Global Competitiveness Report Geneva, Switzerland: World Economic Forum. World Economic Forum (WEF, 2011). The Global Competitiveness Report Geneva, Switzerland: World Economic Forum. 45

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