Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 21, 2025
09:07
Protocol for Studying Extinction of Conditioned Fear in Naturally Cycling Female Rats
Published on: February 23, 2015
13.8K
Sex differences in HEXACO personality characteristics across countries and ethnicities
Kibeom Lee1, Michael C Ashton2
1Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Journal of Personality
|May 13, 2020
Summary
Women score higher in Emotionality and Honesty-Humility across 48 countries. National sex differences in Emotionality were larger in wealthier, gender-equal nations, suggesting societal influences on personality traits.
Area of Science:
- Cross-cultural psychology
- Personality psychology
- Sex differences research
Background:
- The HEXACO model of personality is a six-factor structure: Honesty-Humility, Emotionality, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Openness to Experience.
- Understanding sex differences in personality is crucial for both individual and societal contexts.
- Previous research indicates variations in personality traits between genders, but cross-cultural comparisons require extensive data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sex differences in the HEXACO Personality Inventory-Revised (HEXACO-PI-R) at factor and facet levels.
- To examine the relationship between national sex differences in personality and national characteristics like wealth and gender equality.
- To explore the influence of societal factors on the magnitude of sex differences in personality traits.
Main Methods:
- Collected online HEXACO-PI-R self-reports from 347,192 individuals across 48 countries.
- Analyzed sex differences at both the factor and facet levels of the HEXACO-PI-R.
- Correlated national-level sex differences with national indicators of wealth and gender equality.
Main Results:
- Women scored significantly higher than men in Emotionality (d=0.84) and Honesty-Humility (d=0.37).
- Multivariate sex differences in HEXACO-PI-R factors were substantial (D>1), exceeding those found with the Big Five model by approximately 19%.
- National sex differences in Emotionality were positively associated with national wealth and gender equality, while this trend was less clear for Honesty-Humility.
Conclusions:
- The HEXACO personality structure offers valuable insights into understanding sex differences at both individual and national levels.
- Societal characteristics, such as wealth and gender equality, appear to influence the magnitude of sex differences in specific personality traits like Emotionality.
- The findings highlight the importance of cross-cultural research in personality psychology and the nuanced nature of sex differences.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Cultural Influences on Personality
610
Individualist and collectivist cultures emphasize different core values, shaping personality in distinct ways. In individualist cultures, such as those in the United States, England, and Australia, people prioritize independence, competition, and personal achievement. These societies tend to promote self-focused traits, with individuals often reporting higher levels of self-esteem. In contrast, collectivist cultures, commonly found in regions like Asia, Africa, and South America, emphasize...
610
01:29Personality Theory by Eysenck and Eysenck
1.1K
Hans and Sybil Eysenck developed a widely recognized theory of personality, which emphasizes the role of temperament and genetically based differences in shaping individual traits. Their theory posits that biological factors primarily determine personality and can be understood through two main dimensions: extroversion/introversion and neuroticism/stability.
In the extroversion/introversion dimension, highly extroverted people are sociable, outgoing, and easily connect with others. In contrast,...
In the extroversion/introversion dimension, highly extroverted people are sociable, outgoing, and easily connect with others. In contrast,...
1.1K
01:23Factors Influencing Attraction VI: Personality Traits
155
Personality traits are fundamental in shaping social perception and influencing interpersonal relationships. Certain traits, such as agreeableness and extraversion, contribute positively to social interactions, whereas others, such as narcissism, have complex and often contradictory effects on how individuals are perceived over time.The Role of Agreeableness and ExtraversionAgreeableness and extraversion are associated with higher levels of interpersonal attractiveness and likability.
155
01:26Desirable Characteristics in Others
87
Various factors, including the type of relationship, gender, and duration of the relationship, influence the perception of desirable characteristics in others. While certain traits such as trustworthiness, cooperativeness, agreeableness, and extraversion are universally valued across all relationships, other characteristics are context-dependent and gain prominence based on specific relational dynamics.Universal and Context-Dependent TraitsTrustworthiness and cooperativeness are fundamental...
87
01:24Cattell's 16 Personality Factors
2.1K
Raymond Cattell's trait theory offers a structured framework for understanding personality by distinguishing between two critical traits: surface and source traits. Surface traits are observable patterns of behavior, such as indecisiveness, anxiety, and irrational fears. These traits are less stable, varying across situations and over time. This means that they are less helpful in understanding the deeper aspects of an individual's personality.
In contrast, source traits are the...
In contrast, source traits are the...
2.1K
01:30Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
212
Social-emotional experiences and cultural influences play significant roles in shaping gender development. During middle childhood, from ages 6 to 11, peer groups become dominant in reinforcing gender norms. Children in this age group often align with same-gender peer groups, which actively encourage behaviors that conform to traditional gender roles. For instance, boys may be discouraged from engaging in activities perceived as feminine, reinforcing culturally dictated norms about masculinity...
212