by Shirley M. Mueller, MD
Insights from a Big Five Analysis: Mõttus et al. (2024)
In a study by Mõttus et al. (2024), researchers examined de-identified data from 9,110 Dutch residents, aged 16 to 95, collected over a span of 11 years, from 2008 to 2019. The participants were given the “Big Five” personality test, a widely recognized measure that assesses five core personality traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism (commonly referred to as “OCEAN”). The purpose of this research was to shed light on how personality traits correlate with life satisfaction (LS) in the general population. It revealed some intriguing patterns of personality changes over time.
Findings on Personality Traits and Life Satisfaction
The study uncovered significant correlations between the Big Five personality traits and life satisfaction. The most notable finding was the strong association between low neuroticism and high life satisfaction. Neuroticism, characterized by emotional instability and negative emotions like anxiety and moodiness, was inversely related to LS, meaning that individuals with lower levels of neuroticism reported higher overall life satisfaction.
Conscientiousness, another key trait measured in the study, was closely linked to job or work satisfaction. Individuals who scored higher on conscientiousness, a trait reflecting diligence, reliability, and discipline, tended to be more satisfied with their careers and work-related aspects of their lives. Extraversion and agreeableness were primarily tied to social satisfaction, with extroverted and agreeable individuals reporting better social relationships and a greater sense of connection with others.
Sponsored
To illustrate, imagine an individual like Sarah, who had always been intrigued by vintage jewelry but didn’t have the resources to pursue this interest fully until retirement. Once Sarah began collecting jewelry in her later years, she became more open to new experiences and social circles within her niche community. Over time, her openness grew, and she found herself more satisfied with her life. This example mirrors the broader finding that increased openness later in life can contribute to higher life satisfaction.
Personality and Collecting: Kleine et al. (2021)
In another related study, Kleine et al. (2021) explored the personalities of collectors, specifically analyzing how the Big Five traits manifest among different types of collectors. The researchers examined three distinct groups: consumer collectors, who use the items they collect; pure collectors, who collect without financial gain in mind; and investor collectors, who are driven by profit. Non-collectors were included as a control group for comparison.
Across all types of collectors, high levels of openness and low levels of neuroticism were consistent personality traits. This mirrors the findings of Mõttus et al., where low neuroticism was associated with higher life satisfaction. The high openness seen among collectors is note-worthy, as the earlier study showed that increasing openness over time could enhance life satisfaction.
However, the study revealed some important distinctions among different types of collectors. Investor collectors, who focus on financial gains from their collections, exhibited lower levels of agreeableness and conscientiousness compared to other groups. Low agreeableness, often associated with a more self-centered or competitive approach, correlated with lower social satisfaction, while low conscientiousness, which reflects disorganization or lack of discipline, was linked to lower job satisfaction. This finding suggests that collectors who focus primarily on monetary gain may face less satisfaction in both social and professional aspects of their lives.
Take John, for instance, an investor collector who began collecting rare coins, not because he had a deep passion for numismatics, but because he saw it as a lucrative investment. Over time, John became increasingly dissatisfied with his hobby. His interactions at coin shows felt transactional, lacking the sense of community and camaraderie that other collectors seemed to enjoy. His lower scores in agreeableness and conscientiousness, as described by Kleine et al., may explain why John found less joy in his collecting pursuits and felt stress instead.
Sponsored
Consider the example of Emma, a pure collector of antique dolls. Emma’s meticulous approach to maintaining and preserving her collection, along with her dedication to researching each doll’s history, brings her immense satisfaction. Her high conscientiousness not only enriches her collecting experience but also leads to meaningful connections with others in her field, enhancing her social life as well. Emma’s experience exemplifies how pure collectors, driven by passion rather than profit, may find greater happiness in their hobby.
Conclusion
The studies conducted by Mõttus et al. (2024) and Kleine et al. (2021) both highlight the significant role personality traits play in shaping life satisfaction. In both the general population and among collectors, lower neuroticism and higher openness appear to contribute to greater well-being and fulfillment. However, the motivations behind collecting can further influence these outcomes. Pure collectors, who score high on conscientiousness, are more likely to find joy in their hobby, while investor collectors, who focus on financial gains, may face more challenges in achieving life satisfaction.
Ultimately, understanding these personality traits offers valuable insights for collectors and non-collectors alike. By recognizing how traits like neuroticism, openness, and conscientiousness influence our hobbies and satisfaction, individuals can better align their pursuits with their personalities, leading to a more fulfilling and contented life.
References
Mõttus, R, Realo, A, Allik, J, Ausmees, L, Henry, S, McCrae, RR & Vainik, U 2024, “Most people’s life satisfaction matches their personality traits: True correlations in multi-trait, multi-rater, multi-sample data,” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
Kleine, Jens & Peschke, Thomas & Wagner, Niklas, 2021. “Collectors: Personality between consumption and investment,” Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 32(C).
Shirley M. Mueller, M.D., is known for her expertise in Chinese export porcelain and neuroscience. Her unique knowledge in these two areas motivated her to explore the neuropsychological aspects of collecting, both to help herself and others as well. This guided her to write her landmark book, Inside the Head of a Collector: Neuropsychological Forces at Play. In it, she uses the new field of neuropsychology to explain the often-enigmatic behavior of collectors. Shirley is also a well-known speaker. She has shared her insights in London, Paris, Shanghai, and other major cities worldwide as well as across the United States. In these lectures, she blends art and science to unravel the mysteries of the collector’s mind.
Related posts: