Is there really a single factor of personality? A multirater approach to the apex of personality

A GFP is controversially debated on regarding the hierarchical structure of personality. Apart from theoretical argumentations, support for the existence of such a factor calls on the intercorrelations repeatedly found between personality domains. The current study used a data set containing one self-rating and two peer-ratings in order to replicate recent methodological approaches in modeling the GFP but also to apply a specific multirater approach able to disentangle method biases and to correct for nested data structure. Results did show the emergence of a GFP when modeled only with peer- or self-ratings, but did not support the idea of a GFP when modeled with multirater nested data. Findings are discussed including an interpretation of the GFP as successful impression management.

► Different methods are compared to model a GFP: self-, peer-, multirater data. ► Same data allows for different results when modeled differently. ► A GFP does not emerge when using more complex methods. ► Variance of what is thought to be GFP could be successful impression management. ► However, biological base for impression management cannot be ruled out.