What Do Cross-National Comparisons of Personality Traits Tell Us?

@article{Heine2008WhatDC,
  title={What Do Cross-National Comparisons of Personality Traits Tell Us?},
  author={Steven J. Heine and Emma E. Buchtel and Ara Norenzayan},
  journal={Psychological Science},
  year={2008},
  volume={19},
  pages={309 - 313}
}
Much research contrasts self-reported personality traits across cultures. We submit that this enterprise is weakened by significant methodological problems (in particular, the reference-group effect) that undermine the validity of national averages of personality scores. In this study, behavioral and demographic predictors of conscientiousness were correlated with different cross-national measures of conscientiousness based on self-reports, peer reports, and perceptions of national character… 
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