Similar Personality Patterns Are Associated with Empathy in Four Different Countries

Empathy is an important human ability associated with successful social interaction. It is currently unclear how to optimally measure individual differences in empathic processing. Although the Big Five model of personality is an effective model to explain individual differences in human experience and behavior, its relation to measures of empathy is currently not well understood. 

Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the relationship between the Big Five personality concept and two commonly used measures for empathy [Empathy Quotient (EQ), Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI)] in four samples from China, Germany, Spain, and the United States of America. This approach was designed to advance the way the Big Five personality model can be used to measure empathy. 

We found evidence of medium effect sizes for associations between personality and empathy, with agreeableness and conscientiousness as the most important predictors of affective and cognitive empathy (measured by the respective IRI subscales) as well as for a one-dimensional empathy score (measured by the EQ). Empathy in a fictional context was most closely related to openness to experience while personal distress was first of all related to neuroticism. In terms of culture, we did not observe any distinct pattern concerning cultural differences. 

These results support the cross-cultural applicability of the EQ and the IRI and indicate structurally similar associations between personality and empathy across cultures.

Full article at:   http://goo.gl/3ZImGe

By:  Martin C. Melchers,1,* Mei Li,2 Brian W. Haas,3 Martin Reuter,1,4 Lena Bischoff,1 and Christian Montag5,*

¹Department of Psychology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany

²Student Counseling Center, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing, China

³Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA

⁴Center for Economics and Neuroscience, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany

⁵Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany

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Associations Between the Big Five Personality Traits and the Non-Medical Use of Prescription Drugs for Cognitive Enhancement

While the number of studies of the non-medical use of prescription drugs to augment cognitive functions is growing steadily, psychological factors that can potentially help explain variance in such pharmaceutical cognitive enhancement (CE) behavior are often neglected in research. 

This study investigates the association between the Big Five personality traits and a retrospective (prior CE-drug use) as well as a prospective (willingness to use CE drugs) measure of taking prescription drugs with the purpose of augmenting one's cognitive functions (e.g., concentration, memory, or vigilance) without medical necessity. We use data from a large representative survey of German employees (N = 6454, response rate = 29.8%). 

The Five Factor Model (FFM) of Personality was measured with a short version of the Big Five Personality Traits Inventory (BFI-S), which includes: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Together with this, demographic variables such as gender, age, education, and income were used as potential confounders in multiple logistic regression models. 

Our results show a 2.96% lifetime prevalence of CE-drug use and a 10.45% willingness to (re)use such drugs in the future. We found that less conscientious and more neurotic respondents have a higher probability of prior CE-drug use and a greater willingness to use CE drugs in the future. 

No significant effects were found for openness, extraversion, or agreeableness. Prior CE-drug use was strongly associated with a greater willingness to take such drugs in the future. 

This study shows that specific personality traits are not only associated with prior enhancement behavior, but also affect the willingness to (re)use such drugs. It helps increase understanding of the risk factors of CE-drug use, which is a health-related behavior that can entail severe side-effects for consumers. The knowledge gathered can thus help improve interventions aimed at minimizing health problems.

Below:  Predicted probabilities of prior use and willingness (both y-axis) estimated using average marginal effects based on multivariate logistic regression models—error bars represent the 95% confidence interval. (A) shows that the predicted probability of prior CE-drug use is higher in case of lower conscientiousness [defined by the mean value (M) − 1 standard deviation (SD)] compared to the M and to higher conscientiousness (M + 1 SD), while the probability (B) is lower for lower levels of neuroticism (M – 1 SD) compared to the M and to higher neuroticism (M + 1 SD) (based on Model 1, Table ​Table2).2). (C,D) show similar effects for the willingness to use CE drugs (based on Model 2, Table ​Table22).

Full article at:   http://goo.gl/tSLn9i

By:  Sebastian Sattler1,* and Reinhard Schunck2

¹Institute of Sociology and Social Psychology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

²Faculty of Sociology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany

Edited by: Ralf Brand, University Potsdam, Germany

Reviewed by: Boris B. Quednow, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland; Lambros Lazuras, Sheffield Hallam University, UK

*Correspondence: Sebastian Sattler ; Email: ed.nleok-inu.osiw@relttas

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Neuroticism and Men’s Sexual Coercion as Reported by Both Partners in a Community Sample of Couples

Compared with other forms of intimate partner violence, very little is known about sexual coercion (SC) and its correlates in intact couples from the general population. Among potential dispositional risk factors for SC, neuroticism has been related to various aspects of couple functioning, including psychological and physical partner abuse. Based on theoretical and empirical evidence, we suggest the existence of two maladaptive profiles on the neuroticism dimension and examine the curvilinear association between neuroticism and men’s SC. 

A total of 299 adult couples completed measures of neuroticism and SC perpetrated by the male partner. Descriptive analyses indicated that SC translated mainly into insistence or partner pressure to engage the other in unwanted sexual activities. Results confirmed the hypothesis that both lower and higher levels of men’s neuroticism predict higher levels of men’s perpetrated SC, while low to moderate levels of neuroticism predict lower levels of men’s SC. 

These findings contribute to the empirical literature on SC in community samples of couples and bear significant clinical implications for the evaluation and treatment of couples experiencing these negative sexual experiences.

Purchase full article at:   http://goo.gl/5npL9z

By:  Marie-Ève Daspe^ab*, Stéphane Sabourin^cb, Natacha Godbout^ab,Yvan Lussier^da & Martine Hébert^ab

• ^a Department of Sexology, Université du Québec à Montréal
• ^b Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse (CRIPCAS)
• ^c School of Psychology, Université Laval
• ^d Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières

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An Online Assessment of Personality, Psychological, and Sexuality Trait Variables Associated with Self-Reported Hypersexual Behavior

"Hypersexual" behavior represents a perceived inability to control one's sexual behavior. To investigate hypersexual behavior, an international sample of 510 self-identified heterosexual, bisexual, and homosexual men and women completed an anonymous online self-report questionnaire battery. 

In addition to age and sex (male), hypersexual behavior was related to higher scores on measures of sexual excitation, sexual inhibition due to the threat of performance failure, trait impulsivity, and both depressed mood and anxiety. 

In contrast, hypersexual behavior was related to lower scores on sexual inhibition due to the threat of performance consequences. Higher neuroticism and extraversion, as well as lower agreeableness and conscientiousness, also predicted hypersexual behavior. 

Interestingly, interactions among the variables assessed did not significantly predict hypersexual behavior, suggesting the possible existence of multiple and predominantly independent taxa for various persons reporting hypersexual behavior. Core personality features may also be present in persons with hypersexual behavior. 

Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed.

Purchase full article at: http://goo.gl/58jQ6x

By: Walton MT1, Cantor JM2, Lykins AD3.

• 1Discipline of Psychology, School of Behavioral, Cognitive, and Social Sciences, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia.
• 2Law and Mental Health Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.
• 3Discipline of Psychology, School of Behavioral, Cognitive, and Social Sciences, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia. alykins@une.edu.au.

  

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