Consensual validation of personality traits across cultures

Cross-observer agreement on personality trait ratings has been interpreted as particularly powerful evidence of the veridicality of personality traits, but cross-cultural studies of consensual validity are relatively rare. In this article we review the available literature on cross-observer agreement on traits of the Five-Factor Model, and provide new data from Russia and the Czech Republic. Russian and Czech versions of the Revised NEO Personality Inventory showed adequate internal consistency and replicated the American factor structure and gender differences. Cross-observer correlations showed moderate to high agreement, especially for Extraversion. Despite cultural differences in individualism/collectivism that affect many psychological processes, these data suggest that personality traits exist and function in much the same way in these cultures. © 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.