Investigating the Relationships Between Basic Emotions and the Big Five Personality Traits and Their Sub-Traits

Most research investigating relationships between the Big Five and emotional states has focused on how emotional attributes relate to Extraversion and Neuroticism. However, the potential for discrete emotional states to enable a richer understanding of the emotive nature of all Big Five traits and their subtraits has been neglected.

Participants (N = 203) completed the Big Five Aspects Scale, watched six emotionally stimulating video clips, and self-reported their experience of basic emotions before (Baseline) and after (Reaction) each video. Spearman correlations identified state-trait relationships, followed by regression analyses to assess the unique contribution of each trait to emotional experiences.

Conscientiousness negatively correlated with Baseline Sadness, while Agreeableness positively correlated with Reaction Disgust, Fear, and Sadness. Extraversion predicted higher Joy, and Neuroticism was linked to greater Fear and Sadness.

Findings reinforce Extraversion and Neuroticism's links to positive and negative emotionality, respectively, while also showing that Agreeableness predicts heightened sensitivity to negative affect. Conscientiousness, particularly Orderliness, appears protective against Baseline Sadness, and Openness to Experience, especially Intellect, is linked to lower sensitivity to Surprise. Potential mechanisms underlying these relationships are discussed.