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2/2017-1/2018: Modelli della Mente

Sexual differences in the main dimensions of personality

Submitted
luglio 16, 2018
Published
2018-07-16

Abstract

In this paper, in order to contribute to the ongoing debate on the differences between men and women, in particular in the Italian scientific and cultural panorama, we will highlight how males and females differ on personality characteristics, as they are studied through the main personality questionnaires such as those based on the so-called Big Five (also known as Five Factors Model, FFM, Goldberg, 1993) and the sixteen personality factors of Cattell (1946).
For this purpose, we have reviewed and summarized the main research carried out on personality differences, in order to identify the most recurrent, statistically significant and important results for specific characteristics (eg recurrence in historical periods or in different cultures). From this review it emerged that, undoubtedly, there are differences between males and females, with an overlap between the typical personality profiles ranging between 10% and 24% (Del Giudice, 2012).
These differences are present in various periods and cultural areas and, in particular, are amplified in areas of the world where there is the possibility of greater gender equality and where there is greater well-being.
The characteristics – using as reference dimensions the Big Five – which seem to differentiate more between men and women are Nevroticism and Agreeableness, constantly in different historical periods and cultural areas, and therefore, compared to other characteristics, have a greater chance of being influenced by biology.
Important differences have also emerged for a series of sub-dimensions of the other Big Five personality factors or in other dimensions measured with other assessment tools.

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