Openness and Intellect: An analysis of the motivational constructs underlying two aspects of personality

•Openness to Experience subsumes two aspects called Openness and Intellect.•We sought to demonstrate the discriminant validity of these aspects for motivations.•Openness was associated with motivations in three studies, Intellect in one study.•Openness predicted Universalism Values, Artistic Interests, and Aesthetic Goals.•Intellect predicted Investigative Interests, Self-Direction and Achievement Values.

Openness to Experience has been shown to subsume two aspects called Openness and Intellect. The aim of this study was to examine the discriminant validity of Openness and Intellect in their relationship to Values, Interests, and Major Life Goals. Participants were 893 adults recruited into three studies who completed an online survey consisting of the Big Five Aspect Scales, Schwartz's Values, Holland's Interests, and Major Life Goals. Openness positively predicted Universalism Values in Study 1, and both Artistic Interests and Aesthetic Major Life Goals in all three samples. In contrast, Intellect was not significantly predictive of Values, Interests and Major Life Goals in any of the three studies. The implications of these findings for the discriminant validity of the two aspects are discussed.