Where is ambition in factor models of personality?

Ambition is a personality construct with important implications for individual differences in educational and career success and status attainment. Although the best-known factor models of personality-the Five Factor Model (FFM) and the HEXACO-are widely regarded as comprehensive, they seem not to include ambition. The current study concerns whether ambition can be found in the HEXACO and FFM. Using data from the Eugene-Springfield Community Sample, our results indicate that ambition can be partially captured with a combination of HEXACO (or FFM) facets, especially Social Boldness and Liveliness (eXtraversion) and Diligence and Prudence (Conscientiousness), none of which, however, concern competitiveness, a key component of ambition. Overall, these findings suggest that important personality constructs are not found in conventional factor models of personality.