Openness to Experience, Fluid Intelligence and Secondary Psychopathology

Abstract

The present study tests the idea that individuals high on both trait Openness-to-Experience and fluid intelligence can suffer from an overactive mental state that depletes cognitive capability and leads to restless and impulsive behavior. In all, 118 participants (58 females, 59 males) were tested using the multidimensional assessment of fluid intelligence (GIA), an Open-to-Experience trait measure (HEXACO), and Levenson's secondary psychopathy questionnaire. Although analysis of variance (ANOVA) analyses revealed no interaction between Openness and fluid intelligence, an examination of the lower-order items of Openness and GIA revealed significant interactions in the female sample, particularly with esthetic appreciation. The results also suggest Openness as a unique predictor of secondary psychopathy, however the same does not hold true for fluid intelligence. The findings are discussed in relation to personnel selection procedures. Key considerations for attention capacity and activation theory are proposed. Sample size limitations are acknowledged.