Differences in the Big Five Personality Traits according to Gender and Need for Cognition

Abstract

The present study aimed to explore differences in the Big Five Personality Traits (BFPT) between males and females, and between students with high and low Need for Cognition (NFC). The study also aimed to examine the relationship between the BFPT and NFC. The sample consisted of 387 students (135 male, 252 female). Two scales were used, one for the BFPT and the other for NFC. Results indicated that males scored higher on the Extraversion subscale than females, whereas females scored higher on the Neuroticism subscale. The results also showed that students with high NFC scored higher on the subscales of Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Openness to Experience than those with low NFC, whereas students with low NFC scored higher on the Neuroticism subscale. Furthermore, it was found that females with high NFC scored higher on the Extraversion subscale than those with low NFC. On the other hand, NFC correlated negatively and significantly with Neuroticism; and positively and significantly with the other personality traits (i.e., Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness and Openness to Experience).