Paper Title
Towards Understanding Assessments of the Big Five: Multitrait-Multimethod Analyses of Convergent and Discriminant Validity Across Measurement Occasion and Type of Observer
Keywords
- Big Five Personality Traits
- Multitrait-Multimethod Analyses (MTMM)
- Convergent Validity
- Discriminant Validity
- Self-Reports
- Peer Reports
- Parent Reports
- Measurement Occasion
- Informant Assessments
- Orthogonal Structure
- Personality Assessments
- Three-Factor Model
- Five-Factor Model
- Personality Measurement
- Methodological Considerations
- Personality Structure
Article Type
Research Article
Journal
Research Impact Tools
Publication Info
Volume: 72 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 845-876
Published On
August, 2004
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Abstract
Multitrait-multimethod analyses were used to examine the degree of convergent and discriminant validity of the Big Five. Phase 1 examined self-reports of the Big Five across three measurement occasions. Self-reports of the Big Five traits were stable, but were moderately intercorrelated. Phase 2 examined assessments of the Big Five across different types of informants (self, peer, and parent). Assessments converged across types of informants and, importantly, there was no evidence of correlation between the Big Five traits across the perspectives of different types of informants. The present results suggest that the degree of orthogonality of the Big Five traits depends on the source of the data. A single informant produces Big Five traits that are intercorrelated, whereas diverse informants tend to produce a much more orthogonal structure. Discussion focuses on methodological considerations in examining levels of convergent and discriminant validity and the theoretical implications for understanding personality assessments and the relationship between three-and five-factor models of personality.
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