Agency and Communion as Related to “Big Five” Self-Representations and Subsequent Behavior in Small Groups

Abstract

Associations between self-representations and behavior were hypothesized as varying in accordance with the interpersonal meta-concepts of agency and communion (Wiggins, 1991). The NEO-Personality Inventory (Costa & McCrae, 1985) was completed by 250 undergraduates, to address the Big Five factors (Openness, Extraversion, Agree-ableness, Conscientiousness, and Neuroticism) and 18 subscales. Several weeks later, after both 23 and 46 interaction hours in small groups, the same participants rated self and others for self-accepting and other-accepting conduct. Self-accepting conduct ratings from pooled peers and self were consistently correlated more positively (p < .01) with NEO-PI Assertiveness, Openness, Feelings, Extraversion, and Values; ratings of other-acceptance had parallel positive associations with Agreeableness, Warmth, and Positive Emotions, and negative associations with Hostility. All ratings were related only weakly to Conscientiousness and Neuroticism. The findings support Wiggins's views of the relevance of agency and communion.