Gender differences in the nature and linkage of higher-order personality factors to trait and ability emotional intelligence

Amidst accumulating support for higher-order personality factors (the big two) and a general factor of personality (GFP), researchers theorize about their unique evolutionary and social underpinnings (Rushton, Bons, & Hur, 2008). In the current study, these efforts were extended by (a) examining the relevance of a set of intra and interpersonal skills, which form what is more commonly known as trait or ability Emotional Intelligence (EI), to GFP and (b) exploring gender differences in the pattern of these relationships. Consistent with prior research findings, a series of exploratory factor analyses in the current study supported the GFP in both female and male samples. Moreover, EI dimensions dominated these GFPs, though the precise pattern and strength of loadings differ across gender. Specifically, trait Intrapersonal EI loaded highest on the GFP for the male sample. In the female sample, on the other hand, the GFP contributed to all EI ability-based (MSCEIT) dimensions positively, albeit weakly, while trait Interpersonal EI was most relevant to a GFP. Discussion centers on the role of EI as a biologically and socially adaptive, as well as socially-desirable, trait, given its empirical connection with the GFP.