PERSONALITY VARIATION AND VALUES ENDORSEMENT IN CHINESE UNIVERSITY-STUDENTS

Few empirical studies have addressed the connection between personality traits and value endorsements. In this study it was proposed that people with different personalities have different needs which in turn define what is desirable and should be valued. To evaluate this hypothesis, personality was assessed using Costa and McCrae's (1985, 1989; The NEO Personality Manual (and supplement) Odessa, FL:Psychological Assessment Resources) questionnaire measure of the five basic dimensions of individual variation; values were measured, using Schwartz's (1992; Advances in experimental social psychology, Vol. 25, pp. 1-65. New York: Academic) survey of ten universal domains of desirable goals. All personality traits were related to value domains either alone or in interaction, but Agreeableness was most frequently related. The pattern of these connections provided confirming evidence for the circumplex model of Schwartz's value domains. These results were also discussed in terms of possible cultural influences and similar research in other cultures was encouraged in order to distinguish universal from culture-specific processes.