Solid ground in the wetlands of personality: A reply to Block.
Abstract
The five-factor model (FFM) of personality offers a structural organization of personality traits in terms of 5 broad factors. J. Block's (1995) critique of the FFM failed to recognize the utility of a trait taxonomy and the intent of research designed to test the 5-factor hypothesis. In a number of instances he omitted reference to empirical evidence that addresses concerns he raised; this evidence shows strong support for the FFM beyond the lexical and questionnaire traditions he reviews. Many of his suggestions for improving the quality of personality research are valuable, but are likely to be more fruitful when used in conjunction with established knowledge about the structure of personality traits: the FFM.
Cites (4)
- THE BIG FIVE PERSONALITY DIMENSIONS AND JOB PERFORMANCE: A META‐ANALYSISBARRICK, MURRAY R., MOUNT, MICHAEL K. · 1991 · Personnel Psychology
- An Introduction to the Five‐Factor Model and Its ApplicationsMcCrae, Robert R., John, Oliver P. · 1992 · Journal of Personality
- A contrarian view of the five-factor approach to personality description.Block, Jack · 1995 · Psychological Bulletin
- Extension of the Interpersonal Adjective Scales to include the Big Five dimensions of personality.Trapnell, Paul D., Wiggins, Jerry S. · 1990 · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
Cited by (13)
- Dispositional differences in cognitive motivation: The life and times of individuals varying in need for cognition.Cacioppo, John T., Petty, Richard E., Feinstein, Jeffrey A., Jarvis, W. Blair G. · 1996 · Psychological Bulletin
- A Meta-Analysis of Personality in Scientific and Artistic CreativityFeist, Gregory J. · 1998 · Personality and Social Psychology Review
- Intelligence, personality, and interests: Evidence for overlapping traitsAckerman, Phillip L., Heggestad, Eric D. · 1997 · Psychological Bulletin
- Are measures of self-esteem, neuroticism, locus of control, and generalized self-efficacy indicators of a common core construct?Judge, Timothy A., Erez, Amir, Bono, Joyce E., Thoresen, Carl J. · 2002 · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
- The location of trait emotional intelligence in personality factor spacePetrides, K. V., Pita, Ria, Kokkinaki, Flora · 2007 · British Journal of Psychology
How to cite
Cite CoChat for the checks on this page, and the paper for its own findings.
- This page
- CoChat. (2026). Citation check: Solid ground in the wetlands of personality: A reply to Block. https://app.cochat.ai/papers/10.1037//0033-2909.117.2.216
- The paper
- Costa, P. T., & McCrae, R. R. (1995). Solid ground in the wetlands of personality: A reply to Block. Psychological Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1037//0033-2909.117.2.216
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