Sex differences in the Big Five model personality traits: A behavior genetics exploration

The importance of genetic influences for the Five Factor/Big Five Model (BFM) traits is well established. Relatively understudied, however, are the presence and magnitude of sex differences in genetic and environmental variance of these traits. The current study tested if men and women differ (1) qualitatively in the genetic mechanisms, or (2) quantitatively, on the genetic and environmental variance, contributing to BFM personality domains. Results from a nationally representative U.S. adult twin sample (N = 973 pairs) supported phenotypic (i.e., mean level) sex differences in three of five personality traits (Neuroticism, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness) but did not support genetic or environmental sex differences in any trait.