Do Early Life Experiences Predict Variation in the General Factor of Personality (GFP)?

Abstract Objective The controversial General Factor of Personality (GFP) has been proposed as an indicator social effectiveness and a slower life history strategy. An alternative hypothesis holds that only meta-trait alpha , comprising agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, is slow indicator. This study tested whether the GFP and/or emerges from both self- stranger-ratings, either predicted by indicators harsh childhood ecologies. Methods U.S. undergraduate participants ( N = 366) completed Big Five instrument, measure socially desirable response bias, brief (thin slice) videotaped interviews. Raters scored interviews using same instrument. Results Structural equation modeling self-report data yielded well-fitting GFP, which was positively associated with father closeness. Meta-trait based on self-report, closeness neighborhood stress, but showed positive loadings for agreeableness stability. Stranger-rating failed to yield or metatrait alpha. Conclusions Our findings are equivocal regarding usefulness specifically, higher-order personality factors generally, in evolutionary science.