Personality Correlates of the Four-Factor Model of Cultural Intelligence

TLDR

Previous studies reported few significant relationships between openness and cultural intelligence, whereas this study finds a different pattern. The study investigates the relationships between the Big Five personality traits and the four‑factor model of cultural intelligence. Hierarchical regression analyses on data from 338 business undergraduates, controlling for age, gender, and intercultural experience, revealed significant links between conscientiousness and metacognitive CQ, agreeableness and emotional stability with behavioral CQ, extraversion with cognitive, motivational, and behavioral CQ, and openness with all four CQ factors. Openness to experience uniquely predicts all four dimensions of cultural intelligence, underscoring its importance for effective functioning in diverse cultural settings.

Abstract

We examine relationships between Big Five personality and the four-factor model of cultural intelligence (CQ)—metacognitive CQ, cognitive CQ, motivational CQ, and behavioral CQ. Hierarchical regression analyses conducted on data from 338 business undergraduates—after controlling for age, gender, and years of experience in interacting with people from other cultures—show significant links between (a) conscientiousness and metacognitive CQ; (b) agreeableness and emotional stability with behavioral CQ; (c) extra version with cognitive, motivational, and behavioral CQ; and (d) openness with all four factors of CQ. The intriguing finding of this study is that openness was the only Big Five that was significantly related to all four aspects of CQ. This differs from prior research on openness that found few significant relationships. Our results show that openness to experience is a crucial personality characteristic that is related to a person’s capability to function effectively in diverse cultural settings (CQ).