Associations between openness and intergroup attitudes: A facet level analysis

Openness is consistently linked with intergroup attitudes. However, research gaps (e.g., overreliance on the NEO facet structure and samples from the USA) suggest that current evidence might not generalize across different structures of openness and cultures. This paper addresses key gaps in existing research by examining how three structures of openness (NEO, SFOS, and HEXACO) predict intergroup attitudes (prejudice and social tolerance) within two distinct cultural contexts (Singapore and the United States). Through two online surveys (n = 318 for Study 1 and n = 526 for Study 2), multiple regression analyses reveal a consistent pattern: (a) the NEO openness factor more strongly predicts both prejudice and social tolerance compared to HEXACO and SFOS in these cultural contexts; (b) the facet of tolerance shows a marked association with higher social tolerance and reduced affect-based prejudice, exceeding the predictive strength of other facets; and (c) the facet of liberalism predicts cognitive-based prejudice more significantly than the other facets of openness. Our findings informed the current theoretical understanding of intergroup attitudes and improved future predictive modelling of prejudice and social tolerance. Limitations of the research design and implications of the results are discussed.

Personality and Individual Differences

Personality and Individual Differences

236

1873-3549

N/A

N/A

11