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Searching for the Prosocial Personality: A Big Five Approach to Linking Personality and Prosocial Behavior
Meara M Habashi1, William G Graziano2, Ann E Hoover3
1University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA meara-habashi@uiowa.edu.
Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin
|July 13, 2016
Summary
This study links personality traits to prosocial behavior. Agreeableness, a key personality trait, strongly predicts emotional responses and helping decisions towards those in need.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Personality Psychology
Background:
- The concept of a "prosocial personality" has been debated.
- Understanding the drivers of prosocial behavior is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore general patterns in prosocial decisions.
- To link personality, emotion, and prosocial behavior.
Main Methods:
- Employed a multimethod approach.
- Investigated links between the Big Five personality dimensions and prosocial responding across three studies.
Main Results:
- Agreeableness was the strongest predictor of emotional reactions to victims.
- Agreeableness also predicted decisions to help those in need.
- Prosocial processes appear linked to a general personality-driven motivational process.
Conclusions:
- Personality, particularly agreeableness, plays a significant role in prosociality.
- Emotions and cognitions mediate the link between personality and prosocial behavior.
- Prosociality may stem from a general motivational system tied to personality traits.
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