Self-conceptions of conscientiousness in individuals high in rigid perfectionism: A comparison of self and informant reports
Normative personality is typically measured through explicit surveys of individuals which are subject to response bias. The mechanism behind observed self-report bias on personality measures has yet to be widely examined. The current study hypothesizes a relationship between self-conceived normative personality traits and psychopathological personality traits. Conscientiousness and rigid perfectionism are used in an exploratory analysis of this hypothesis. Data on 259 undergraduate students were accessed through the Personality Projects and the Development of Virtue Archive (DeYoung et al., 2016). Participants reported on their own personality and nominated closely acquainted others to report on participant personality. Other reports of participant personality were used to approximate observed participant personality. The relationship between other- and self-reported conscientiousness difference score and participant rigid perfectionism was analyzed using a multiple regression model, controlling for purpose in life and withdrawal. Results suggest that there is a significant relationship between maladaptive personality and conceptions of normative personality. However, this relationship is very small; future directions and implications of the current study are discussed.