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Personality and Character: A Comparative Qualitative Analysis of Trait Descriptions in NEO-PI-3 and Character Strengths and Virtues

Author

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  • James T. Aluri

    (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

  • Kevin C. Li

    (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

Abstract

The theoretical relationship between personality and character, as two approaches to conceptualizing individual differences, remains poorly defined. Attempts to clarify the relationship by analyzing leading personality and character frameworks—NEO-PI-3 and Peterson and Seligman’s Character Strengths and Virtues (CSV)—have yielded divergent, unclear results. In this paper, we use a qualitative thematic analysis method to systematically compare NEO-PI-3 and CSV trait descriptions. Our analysis found 35 overlapping facet-strength trait pairs, including 22 morally-toned facet-strength relationships. For the CSV, the overlap was spread out among the strengths, while the overlap for NEO-PI-3 was mostly located in the factors of Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness. We also found traits that were uniquely evaluated or emphasized by each framework. NEO-PI-3 tended to emphasize traits related to emotions, tasks, and socializing; the CSV tended to emphasize self-management, prosocial, and worldview traits. Our analysis indicates that the two frameworks share substantial description of traits—including moral traits—but are not redundant. Our conceptual results were largely supported by empirical studies. Future research should continue to synthesize conceptual and empirical scholarship to advance understanding of the relationship between these two frameworks for evaluating individual differences.

Suggested Citation

  • James T. Aluri & Kevin C. Li, 2022. "Personality and Character: A Comparative Qualitative Analysis of Trait Descriptions in NEO-PI-3 and Character Strengths and Virtues," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(6), pages 3055-3094, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:23:y:2022:i:6:d:10.1007_s10902-022-00535-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-022-00535-0
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    Cited by:

    1. James Aluri & Margot Kelly-Hedrick, 2023. "50 Years of Character Assessment: A Scoping Review of Psychometric Instruments Measuring Character or Virtues," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 18(4), pages 2107-2129, August.

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