The big five as tendencies in situations: A replication study

Van Heck, Perugini, Caprara and Fröger (1994) report the average generalizability coefficient reflecting the consistent ordering of persons across different situations and different trait markers (items) to be in the order of 0.70. We performed a replication study in which we improved on their selection of Big Five markers and situations. Further, we raised the reliability of the dependent variable by taking the averaged score of the self and one peer rating instead of just self-ratings. Contrary to the authors of the first study we found Persons to be an important variance component and, except for residual (PSI, error), clearly the largest source of variation for Emotional Stability (IV), Conscientiousness (III), and Intellect/Autonomy (V). It is concluded that Big Five traits are as trait-like as the present proponents of the model make us believe. But replication, again, is needed. The paper addresses a problem encountered in making use of an S-R questionnaire in order to investigate the consistency of behavior across situations and trait markers.