1. Economics and psychology of personality traits Angela Lee Duckworth University of Pennsylvania June 2009

2. Outline What is the conceptual distinction between cognitive and non-cognitive traits (including personality)? Can these two classes of traits be distinguished empirically? How do psychologists organize and measure personality traits? What is the evidence for predictive validity of personality traits? How stable are personality traits over the life course?

3. Conceptual distinctions

4. Empirical distinctions IQ = “Intelligence Quotient” Mental age / chronological age IQ Test motivation Intelligence

5. Meta-analysis 46 samples from 25 random-assignment, between-subjects studies using material rewards vs. no rewards Total N = 2008 Overall effect was g =.64 IQ of sample moderated the effect –Above-100 IQ effect was g =.24 –Below-100 IQ effect was g =.94

6. Personality and motivation Variable1234567 1. Test Motivation-.13*.15*.02-.05.15*.28*** 2. Agreeableness.14*-.41***-.04-.12.16**.01 3. Conscientiousness.10.42***-.08-.35***.22***.19** 4. Extraversion.01-.04.08--.37***.05.02 5. Neuroticism-.01-.12-.34***-.37***--.24***-.12 6. Openness to Experience.05.17**.04-.21***-.34*** 7. IQ-------

7. FactorFacetsDefinition of FactorACL a Marker Items for Factor I. Openness to Experience (Intellect)Fantasy, Aesthetics, Feelings, Actions, Ideas, Values The degree to which a person needs intellectual stimulation, change, and variety. Commonplace, Narrow- interest, Simple- vs. Wide-interest, Imaginative, Intelligent II. ConscientiousnessCompetence, Order, Dutifulness, Achievement striving, Self-discipline, Deliberation The degree to which a person is willing to comply with conventional rules, norms, and standards. Careless, Disorderly, Frivolous vs. Organized, Thorough, Precise III. ExtraversionWarmth, Gregariousness, Assertiveness, Activity, Excitement seeking, Positive emotions The degree to which a person needs attention and social interaction. Quiet, Reserved, Shy vs. Talkative, Assertive, Active IV. AgreeablenessTrust, Straight-forwardness, Altruism, Compliance, Modesty, Tender-mindedness The degree to which a person needs pleasant and harmonious relations with others. Fault-finding, Cold, Unfriendly vs. Sympathetic, Kind, Friendly V. Neuroticism (Emotional Stability)Anxiety, Angry hostility, Depression, Self-consciousness, Impulsiveness, Vulnerability The degree to which a person experiences the world as threatening and beyond his/her control. Tense, Anxious, Nervous vs. Stable, Calm, Contented

9. Multi-method assessment The precision and accuracy of personality measures can be increased using multi-method assessment Predictive validities with superior measurement can rival (or even surpass) those of IQ

10. Rank-order stability of personality

11. Mean-level changes in personality

12. Concluding comments Personality can be distinguished conceptually and empirically from cognitive ability (intelligence) Personality may be more malleable Personality and cognitive ability predict the same economic, social, and health outcomes Economists and psychologists should collaborate