Perceived Social Desirability and Personal Desirability of the Big Five Personality Traits:Correlations and Their Moderation by Relational Mobility

Abstract

This study examined whether (1) perceived social desirability (PSD) and personal desirability (PD) of each Big Five trait are positively correlated, and (2) perceived relational mobility (PRM) moderates its strength. Participants (Study 1: 224 undergraduate students; Study 2: 558 research firm monitors) reported PSD and PD of the Big Five scale items and PRM. Confirmatory factor analyses revealed that a five-factor structure with a random slope or a method factor fit best for both PSD and PD. Correlations between PSD and PD were positive for all traits (Study 1: rs = .52–.69; Study 2: rs = .59–.67), and their strength differed by high vs. low PRM for some traits: conscientiousness (r = .42 vs. .64 in Study 1 and r = .55 vs. .66 in Study 2) and agreeableness (r = .59 vs. .73 in Study 2). Implications for studies of personality trait desirability were discussed.