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Original Article

On the Dimensional Structure of Personality, Ideological Beliefs, Social Attitudes, and Personal Values

Published Online:March 30, 2009https://doi.org/10.1027/1614-0001.30.2.107

Abstract

In this paper, the common dimensional-structure of measures of Big Five personality, social attitudes, personal values, conservatism, and ideological beliefs (right-wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation) was investigated in two convenience samples of adults (Study 1, paper-and-pencil, N = 302; Study 2, Internet, N = 154). A principal components analysis resulted in a three-factor solution in both samples. In particular, a strong ideology factor emerged that can be interpreted as representing an ideological belief system. It is characterized by a right-wing, conservative orientation, social prejudice, ideological beliefs, the value orientations of self-enhancement, low self-transcendence, and the personality trait of low Openness to Experience. The other two factors comprised socially desirable personality traits and values, and a blend of personality and personal-value orientations characterized by energy, activity, openness, and curiosity, respectively. The results are interpreted in relation to recent structural and process models of personality, ideological beliefs, and social attitudes.

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