Study #2: "The "CEO" of Women's Work Lives: How Big Five Conscientiousness, Extroversion, and Openness Predict 50 Years of Work Experiences in a Changing Sociocultural Context"
A very interesting study was completed in 2011 that examined the role of three factors of The Big Five personality model, in women's work success (George et al. 2011). The three factors specifically examined were conscientiousness, extroversion, and openness (George et al.). This was a longitudinal study that included women that graduated from the same college at the same time. The researchers followed those women from their 20's into their 70’s (George et al. 2011). The researchers used traits of the The Big Five model of personality shown in their young adulthood to predict the effect the personality traits would have on the women’s careers (George et al).
It was found that young women who displayed characteristics of openness at the origin of the study were likely to take non-traditional career routes. Also, more open women began careers earlier than their less open counterparts, as well as were more likely to be promoted to upper level work (George et al.) Other aspects of the women demonstrating openness included their inclination towards expressing themselves creatively and how they were less concerned with their financial security (George et al.).
Young women who demonstrated high conscientiousness developed into women that were devoted to any life responsibilities that were in front of them. For example, these women were dutiful in their family lives, and then later began working in careers. Also, the highly conscientious women were especially cautious when choosing their life partner (George et al.).
The young women who showed a high aptitude for extraversion were particularly successful in their work lives. The energy typical of the extravert was carried into the work world as they were able to excel in their careeers outside the home. After retirement, these women often continued working as volunteers (George et al.).
Overall, this experiment was important because researchers were able to find out how specific personality traits contributed to the type and success of work these women were able to achieve. This is important for the future, because it demonstrates how personality is relevant to work life, an idea that was not heard of at the beginning of this study (George et al.).
It was found that young women who displayed characteristics of openness at the origin of the study were likely to take non-traditional career routes. Also, more open women began careers earlier than their less open counterparts, as well as were more likely to be promoted to upper level work (George et al.) Other aspects of the women demonstrating openness included their inclination towards expressing themselves creatively and how they were less concerned with their financial security (George et al.).
Young women who demonstrated high conscientiousness developed into women that were devoted to any life responsibilities that were in front of them. For example, these women were dutiful in their family lives, and then later began working in careers. Also, the highly conscientious women were especially cautious when choosing their life partner (George et al.).
The young women who showed a high aptitude for extraversion were particularly successful in their work lives. The energy typical of the extravert was carried into the work world as they were able to excel in their careeers outside the home. After retirement, these women often continued working as volunteers (George et al.).
Overall, this experiment was important because researchers were able to find out how specific personality traits contributed to the type and success of work these women were able to achieve. This is important for the future, because it demonstrates how personality is relevant to work life, an idea that was not heard of at the beginning of this study (George et al.).