Conscientiousness: A Structural Assessment and Development of the Facets of Control Scales

Through a series of four studies, this research addresses two specific questions: what is the most accurate facet structure of Conscientiousness and, given that previous research indicates self-control should most likely be considered a facet of the trait, can a measure be created that captures a multidimensional assessment of self-control? Data were collected from a total of 827 undergraduate students at the University of California, Riverside as well as 299 community participants who completed an online survey that measured aspects of their personalities. While this dissertation relied heavily on established Big Five personality inventories, measures of constructs similar to Conscientiousness, including Grit and Determination, were also included. Until now, these were infrequently tested within the Big Five framework. Finally, a new Facets of Control measure is created, refined and tested against established scales. Exploratory factor analytic methods revealed a facet structure of Conscientiousness that included a proactive aspect defined by Grit, Determination, Industriousness and Productiveness. Models also revealed a robust and consistent facet of Order and Organization in all four studies. Finally, an inhibitory aspect of the trait was identified which was captured by Self-Control measures from the Chernyshenko Conscientiousness Scales, Prudence from the HEXACO and Impulse Control from the Facets of Control measure. This specific aspect of the new scale proved useful in establishing the importance of not only adding an inhibitory feature to the understanding of Conscientiousness, but also making a compelling case for including Self-Control within the larger Five Factor Model framework of personality