The Adaptability of Cross-Cultural Personality with Big Five Traits

This report aims to discuss the effectiveness of the Five Factor model (Big Five) regarding the adaptability of cross-cultural personality in the development of questionnaires. Whilst analysing how the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP) contributes towards the development of the questionnaires within the Inuit Culture. Numerous of empirical findings, regarding the development of personalities have shown varying levels of Neuroticism, Extraversion, Conscientiousness, Openness to experiences and Agreeableness during the transition between adolescence and adulthood (McCrae and Costa, 2003). McCrae et al. (2000) findings discovered that data collected from longitudinal and cross-sectional age comparison studies from a number of countries reveals similarities in personality traits within age groups. Beyond the age of 30, similar dispositions have been cited however with regards to personality features 30 years of age have been more similar to 70 years of age than 20 years of age as the elements that make up the Five Factor model showing a heavier weighting toward Neuroticism, Extraversion Openness to experiences. Suggesting that the younger age groups across the countries studied tends to show selfishness, lack of enthusiasm and motivation (McCrae et al. 2008).

Across these multiple cross country studies, it has been shown that the culture and geographic location of each different country heavily influences an individual’s behaviour, such as family life and parenting styles (Ho, Bluestein, & Jenkins, 2008). Looking at the Inuit culture, parents pass on previous experiences and values making up the cultural identity with overlapping the development of personality traits (Briggs, 1997). Meaning that the succession of the continuation of the Inuit culture, would have been imbedded since childhood (Rushton & Jensen, 2005). However, it is also important to understand the challenges the Inuit identity faces as globalization takes place (Rushton & Jensen, 2005). Stangor & Walinga (2018) believes that by evaluating the personality of early adolescences provides valuable information in order to facilitate the study of personality using the Five Factor model.

Due to the complicity of the Inuit social structure, it provides and reinforces a sense of belonging for individuals, however, we must acknowledge the negative connotations that runs alongside it. Richmond & Ross (2008) found significant negative health and social issues within the Inuit community conformity pressures and social obligation builds, consequently leading on to heath damaging behaviours in addition to the restricted access to resources such as health services and food. As Westernised practices continue to grow, it is likely that adolescent Inuits will experience social conflict regarding socioeconomic status and understanding of identity (Browning, 2013).