Are schizotypal, dissociative, and "odd" behaviors pathological manifestations of openness to experience?

Jarrod Andrew Johnson, Purdue University

Abstract

Researchers have debated the relationships between Five-Factor Model Openness to Experience and "Odd" personality pathology such as schizotypy and dissociation proneness. The current study was undertaken to determine whether oddity traits can be accurately represented as pathological variants of Openness to Experience. Participants (N=298) completed self-report measures of oddity, represented by measures of magical ideation, dissociation, and schizotypy, as well as self-report and interview measures of openness, represented by the NEO Personality Inventory - Revised and the Structured Interview for the Five-Factor Model. Three a priori CFA models were tested: 1) a one-factor model comprising all openness and oddity indicators; 2) a two-factor model with correlated Openness and Oddity factors; and 3) a hierarchical model wherein all indicators loaded on a General O factor as well as separate, uncorrelated factors for Unique Openness and Unique Oddity that were unrelated to the General O factor. The hierarchical model exhibited the best fit. The General O factor produced by this model is saturated with openness and oddity indicators, yet 93% of its variance can be accounted for by SIFFM Openness facets alone. Meanwhile, the Unique Oddity factor bore stronger relations with Neuroticism indicators and DSM-IV personality disorders than did the General O factor. The present results suggest that odd personality generally represents the maladaptive end of Openness to Experience. More severe psychoticism, however, seems to involve pathological elements that extend beyond personality.

Degree

M.S.

Advisors

South, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Clinical psychology|Personality psychology

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