Relationship between indecisiveness andneuroticism: the moderating effect of a tough-mindedculture

This paper investigated the relationship between the total number of Cant Decide(CD) scores on an extensive (440 item), computer administered personality test (EysenckPersonality Profiler; EPP) and the personality trait scores from that test. Across a diverse rangeof occupational groups, the CD score was moderately, positively correlated with Neuroticism (r = 0.24, P< 0.001) but the size of the correlation varied substantiallyaccording to the occupational group of the test-takers. Moderated regression analysis indicatedthat the average psychoticism score of the group interacted with CDs to predict an individualsneuroticism. This relationship shows how the tough-mindedness of the occupational culture, asdefined by the scores of peers, moderates neuroticism of the participants. The results underpinthe importance of looking at test-taking styles and how they interact with the environment. Thisquasi-experimental study represents a new approach to investigating neuroticism, whilst avoidingthe ethical issues of conducting actual experimental studies.