Are measures of self-esteem, neuroticism, locus of control, and generalized self-efficacy indicators of a common core construct?
Abstract
The authors present results of 4 studies that seek to determine the discriminant and incremental validity of the 3 most widely studied traits in psychology-self-esteem, neuroticism, and locus of control-along with a 4th, closely related trait-generalized self-efficacy. Meta-analytic results indicated that measures of the 4 traits were strongly related. Results also demonstrated that a single factor explained the relationships among measures of the 4 traits. The 4 trait measures display relatively poor discriminant validity, and each accounted for little incremental variance in predicting external criteria relative to the higher order construct. In light of these results, the authors suggest that measures purporting to assess self-esteem, locus of control, neuroticism, and generalized self-efficacy may be markers of the same higher order concept.
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Agreeableness is not related to self-esteem.
“E is strongly related to self-esteem (Kwan, Bond, & Singelis, 1997;Robins, Hendin, & Trzesniewski, 2001;Schmitt & Allik, 2005), but A is not (Graziano, Jensen-Campbell, & Finch, 1997;Judge, Erez, Bono, & Thoresen, 2002;Kwan et al., 1997).”
From Cultural norm fulfillment, interpersonal belonging, or getting ahead? A large-scale cross-cultural test of three perspectives on the function of self-esteem. (2015) · cites this paper as Judge, Erez, Bono, & Thoresen, 2002
Diverse research lines converge in the conclusion that N and self-esteem are functionally related.
“Over and above that, diverse research lines converge in the conclusion that N and self-esteem are functionally related.”
From Cultural norm fulfillment, interpersonal belonging, or getting ahead? A large-scale cross-cultural test of three perspectives on the function of self-esteem. (2015) · cites this paper as Judge, Erez, Bono, & Thoresen, 2002
N and self-esteem belong to the same category of evaluative traits and are less content laden than the other four Big Five traits.
“Specifically, both traits belong to the same category of evaluative traits (Furr & Funder, 1999;Judge, Erez, Bono, & Thoresen, 2002; M.R. Leary & Hoyle, 2009;Leising et al., 2013) and are less content laden than the other four Big Five traits (Paulhus & John, 1998).”
From Cultural norm fulfillment, interpersonal belonging, or getting ahead? A large-scale cross-cultural test of three perspectives on the function of self-esteem. (2015) · cites this paper as Judge, Erez, Bono, & Thoresen, 2002
N and self-esteem are moderately correlated.
“Not surprisingly, then, N and self-esteem are moderately correlated (Judge et al., 2002;Sedikides, Rudich, Gregg, Kumashiro, & Rusbult, 2004).”
From Cultural norm fulfillment, interpersonal belonging, or getting ahead? A large-scale cross-cultural test of three perspectives on the function of self-esteem. (2015) · cites this paper as Judge et al., 2002
Judge and colleagues proposed that locus of control, self-esteem, and Big Five Emotional Stability are indicators of a common construct called core self-evaluations.
“However, Judge and colleagues (Judge, Bono, Erez et al. [2005]; Judge, Erez, Bono et al. [2002]; Judge and Hurst [2007]) have proposed that locus of control, self-esteem, and Big Five Emotional Stability are indicators of a common construct, termed core self-evaluations.”
From Personality Psychology and Economics (2011) · cites this paper as Judge, Erez, Bono et al. [2002]
Measures of locus of control, self-esteem, Big Five Emotional Stability, and generalized self-efficacy demonstrate high convergent validity, poor discriminant validity, and poor incremental predictive validity.
“They point out that measures of these three traits, as well as generalized self-efficacy (the belief that one can act effectively to bring about desired results) demonstrate high convergent validity, poor discriminant validity, and poor incremental predictive validity.”
From Personality Psychology and Economics (2011) · cites this paper as Judge, Erez, Bono et al. [2002]
Locus of control, perceived control, self-efficacy, and sense of coherence are trait-like, as suggested by their high loading on the Big 5 Neuroticism dimension.
“As suggested by their high loading on the Big 5 Neuroticism dimension [108], these constructs are trait-like, even though they were developed by researchers who were less concerned with stable traits.”
From Personality and Longevity: Knowns, Unknowns, and Implications for Public Health and Personalized Medicine (2011) · cites this paper as [108]
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- Authors
- Judge, T. A., Erez, A., Bono, J. E., & Thoresen, C. J.
- Affiliations
- University of Florida (US)
- University of Minnesota (US)
- Tulane University (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
- Published
- 2002-09
- Volume
- 83
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 693-710
- ISSN
- 0022-3514 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1315
- OpenAlex
- W2136289626
- Cited by
- 1,480
- References
- 14
- Citations by year
- 2026: 37 · 2025: 42 · 2024: 44 · 2023: 44 · 2022: 58 · 2021: 81 · 2020: 90 · 2019: 78 · 2018: 86 · 2017: 87 · 2016: 78 · 2015: 95 · 2014: 92 · 2013: 84 · 2012: 80
- FWCI
- 34.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Psychological Testing and Assessment
- Keywords
- self-esteem, neuroticism, locus of control, general self-efficacy, personality traits, discriminant validity, incremental validity, trait measurement
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Factor Analysis, Statistical, Female, Humans, Internal-External Control, Male, Models, Psychological, Personal Satisfaction, Personality, Regression Analysis, Self Concept, Stress, Psychological, United States, Reproducibility of Results, Self Efficacy
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