Personality and Economic Behaviour

This study investigated the relationship between six self-assessed work personality traits and three self-assessed aspects of economic behaviour: how respondents rate their personal wealth, how financially literate they would rate themselves, and how many credit cards they have. Two separate surveys were conducted at different points in time. Survey 1 (n = 884) contained the personal wealth question, and survey 2 (n = 840) contained the financial literacy and credit card questions. Correlational and regression analyses indicated that individuals with a degree and were higher on Self-esteem, Conscientiousness, and Courage, but lower on Curiosity, and more politically conservative tended to rate their personal wealth higher. Individuals higher on Self-esteem, Conscientiousness, and Courage, who were more politically conservative, tended to rate their financial literacy more highly. Finally, those who were older, with a degree, higher in Self-esteem and Competitiveness, but lower on Conscientiousness, tended to have more credit cards. Implications and limitations are acknowledged.