Evaluation of the relationship between five-factor personality traits and cognitive aspects

The relationships between cognitive traits and personality have been investigated in different dimensions and with different tools, but consistent results could not be found in the literature. The primary aim of this study is to determine the relationship between examine the relationship between personality and self-control, motivation, cognitive control and cognitive flexibility, creative thinking and emotion regulation. Our secondary aim is to examine the relationship between cognitive traits and gender, age and education level. The study was conducted online with 303 individuals (65 male, 238 female), who are literate and over the age of 18. Sociodemographic form, Big Five Personality Test (BFPT) to assess personality, Self-Control Scale, Adult Motivation Scale, Cognitive Control and Flexibility Scale in Stressful Situations, Marmara Creative Thinking Tendencies Scale, Difficulty in Emotion Regulation (DER) Scale Short Forms to assess for cognitive functions were applied. The relationship between the first of BFPT' s five traits – extraversion- and self-control was positive (r=0.24). Its correlation between Cognitive Control and Resilience in Stressful Situations' subgroup cognitive control over emotions (r=0.27) and assessment and coping were (r=0.20). It was negatively associated with openness (r=-0.15), one of the sub dimensions of DER. Positive correlations were observed with the motivation (r=0.28) and creative thinking (r=0.24). The second BFP trait, agreeableness was positively correlated with self-control (r=0.26); with cognitive control over emotions (r=0.16) and with assessment and coping (r=0.20). The relationship of agreeableness with DER subdimension impulsivity was negative (r=-0.13) and positive with motivation (r=0.28). A positive correlation was observed with creative thinking (r=0.26). The relationship between the third personality trait, conscientiousness Contientiousness and self-control was positive (r=0.53) cognitive control over emotions positive (r=0.33) assessment coping positive (r=0.44) with DER negative (r=-0.18) with motivation positive (r=0.31) with creative thinking positive (r=0.31). The relationships between the Fourth BFP trait, neuroticism was positively correlated with self-control (r=0.50) with cognitive control over emotions (r=0.66) and assessment and coping positive (r= 0.37). It was negatively correlated with openness sub-dimension of DER (r=-0.52) and positively correlated with creative thinking (r=0.22). Finally, fifth BFP trait, openness had a positive correlation between self-control (r=0.37) cognitive control over emotions (r=0.23) creative thinking (r=0.36). It was negatively correlated with DER, strategies subscale (r=-0.13). Cognitive functions were examined in relation to gender. Males scored higher on self-control (p=0.046) and creative thinking compared to women (p=0.049) Women scored higher on DERS 'goals' subdimension compared to men (p=0.015). Motivation Scale was not affected by gender. From cognitive functions, age only had a weak and positive correlation with cognitive control over emotions sub-dimension. Our results may create a ground for future studies by showing the very close relationship between personality and cognitive traits that are crucial aspects of life.