Key Takeaways
1. Personality Includes Honesty-Humility (H)
We call this personality dimension the H factor.
The H Factor Defined. The H factor, or Honesty-Humility, is a fundamental dimension of personality that distinguishes individuals based on their tendencies toward sincerity, fairness, and modesty versus deceitfulness, greed, and arrogance. It represents a spectrum of behaviors and attitudes related to ethical conduct and interpersonal relationships.
H Factor's Significance. The H factor influences various aspects of life, including financial decisions, social interactions, and political views. Understanding the H factor helps explain why some people are more prone to manipulation, exploitation, and unethical behavior, while others prioritize fairness, cooperation, and integrity.
H Factor's Late Recognition. The H factor was not recognized as a core personality dimension until around 2000, as previous models, such as the Big Five, did not fully capture the nuances of honesty and humility. Its inclusion provides a more comprehensive understanding of human personality.
2. HEXACO Model: Six Dimensions of Personality
There were six major dimensions of personality.
HEXACO's Six Factors. The HEXACO model expands upon the Big Five personality traits by adding Honesty-Humility (H) to the existing factors of Emotionality (E), Extraversion (X), Agreeableness (A), Conscientiousness (C), and Openness to Experience (O). This model provides a more nuanced and complete framework for understanding individual differences in personality.
HEXACO's Dimensions. Each HEXACO dimension represents a continuum of traits, with individuals falling somewhere between the high and low ends of each spectrum. These dimensions influence how people interact with their environment, make decisions, and form relationships.
HEXACO's Contrasting Strategies. Each HEXACO dimension can be seen as a contrast between two opposite strategies for interacting with one's surroundings. Depending on the context, a higher or lower level of a given dimension may be more advantageous.
3. Low-H People Exploit Others
High-H people cooperate with you even when they could get away with exploiting you.
Low-H's Core Trait. The defining characteristic of low-H individuals is their willingness to exploit others for personal gain. They are more likely to engage in manipulative, deceitful, and unethical behaviors to achieve their goals.
Low-H's Lack of Conscience. Low-H people lack a strong sense of moral obligation and are less concerned about the well-being of others. They may feel entitled to take advantage of people, even when there is no risk of detection or retaliation.
Low-H's Impact on Cooperation. Low-H individuals undermine cooperation by taking unfair advantage of others, eroding trust and goodwill. Their actions can have negative consequences for relationships, communities, and society as a whole.
4. Low H + Other Traits = Distinct Personalities
We’ll explore some of the main variations on the low-H personality by exploring the key characteristics of people who combine low H with high or low levels of each of the other personality factors.
Low H's Variations. The expression of low-H traits varies depending on an individual's levels of the other five HEXACO personality factors. Combining low H with high or low levels of E, X, A, C, and O results in distinct personality profiles with unique characteristics and behaviors.
Low H, Low E: Greed without Fear. These individuals are cold, callous, and take big chances for wealth and power.
Low H, High E: Weaseling and Whining. These individuals exploit others in subtle, sneaky ways to avoid confrontation.
Low H, High X: Narcissism Run Wild. These individuals are narcissistic, crave power, and feel entitled to it.
Low H, Low X: The Smug Silent Types. These individuals feel entitled to high status but lack charisma.
Low H, Low A: Just Plain Nasty. These individuals are aggressive, vindictive, and see the world as a hostile place.
Low H, High A: Inoffensive but Insincere. These individuals are greedy but easygoing, using ingratiation to influence people.
Low H, Low C: An Employer’s Worst Nightmare. These individuals are sloppy, lazy, and have no work ethic.
Low H, High C: Selfish Ambition. These individuals are selfish but disciplined, exploiting legal technicalities for personal gain.
Low H, Low O: Shallow and Narrow. These individuals are interested in money and status and not much else.
Low H, High O: Sophisticated Snobbery. These individuals are aggressively nonconformist and enjoy offending community standards.
Understanding Low-H Combinations. By examining these combinations, we gain a deeper understanding of the diverse ways in which low-H traits manifest and the potential consequences for individuals and society.
5. Judging H Requires Acquaintanceship
To be really accurate in judging a person’s level of H, you usually need to know that person very well.
Judging H is Difficult. Accurately assessing someone's level of H is challenging, as it requires observing a wide range of behaviors across diverse situations over time. First impressions can be misleading, and it's easy to misdiagnose someone based on limited information.
Observer Reports. Observer reports from close acquaintances are more reliable than self-reports or brief encounters. People who know someone well have a better understanding of their true character and are less likely to be fooled by superficial charm or deception.
Workplace Limitations. The workplace often provides limited opportunities to observe H-related behaviors, as people tend to manage their impressions and conform to professional norms. As a result, it can be difficult to accurately judge a coworker's level of H based solely on workplace interactions.
6. Friends Share H and Openness Values
People prefer to associate with those who have similar values, and this is probably because these values are so important to one’s sense of identity.
Friends' Similarities. People tend to form friendships with those who share similar levels of H and O, as well as similar values related to those traits. This suggests that honesty, humility, openness, and intellectual curiosity are important factors in social bonding.
Perceived Similarity. Friends often perceive themselves as being more similar in H and O than they actually are. This may be due to a desire to maintain harmonious relationships and reinforce shared values.
Values and Identity. The link between personality and values helps explain why friends tend to be similar in H and O. These traits underlie our choices regarding which goals are worth pursuing throughout one's life, and these values are important to one’s sense of identity.
7. Politics Reflect H and Openness
In this chapter, we discuss the role of personality in shaping our political attitudes.
RWA and SDO. Political attitudes are strongly influenced by Right-Wing Authoritarianism (RWA) and Social Dominance Orientation (SDO). RWA reflects a preference for conformity and obedience to authority, while SDO reflects a desire for social hierarchy and group dominance.
O and RWA. Low levels of O are associated with high RWA, meaning that people who are less open to new experiences and ideas tend to be more socially conservative. This link becomes stronger as people get older, as their political views become more aligned with their underlying personality traits.
H and SDO. Low levels of H are associated with high SDO, meaning that people who are less honest and humble tend to favor social inequality and group dominance. This link is consistent across different age groups and cultures.
8. Religion and H are Intertwined
In this chapter, we’ll consider the role of personality in explaining which people will be religious and how they will express their religiosity.
H and Supernatural Beliefs. Higher levels of H, A, and E are modestly associated with belief in the supernatural. This suggests that nicer, more soft-hearted people are more likely to believe in souls, spirits, and an afterlife.
O and Religious Style. The O factor influences the style or form of religious expression. Low-O people tend to have traditional religious beliefs, while high-O people tend to have mystically spiritual beliefs.
H and Religious Motivation. The H factor is involved in the reasons people have for expressing their religious beliefs. High-H people are more likely to have genuine religious devotion, while low-H people may be motivated by social status or personal gain.
9. Low-H People Seek Money, Power, and Sex
The behaviour of low-H people is expressed in many aspects of life.
Money. Low-H people are more likely to engage in theft, fraud, and tax evasion to acquire wealth. They may also engage in conspicuous consumption to display their status and impress others.
Power. Low-H people crave power and are more likely to abuse it. They may engage in Machiavellian tactics to climb the corporate ladder or seek positions of political authority.
Sex. Low-H people are more likely to engage in sexual exploitation, infidelity, and quid pro quo harassment. They may view sex as a tool for manipulation and personal gain.
10. Identifying and Avoiding Low-H People
To be able to identify low-H people is a useful skill.
Invalid Signs of High H. Be wary of relying on superficial indicators such as respectability, anti-conformity, religious piety, championing the underdog, blunt criticism, or publicly displayed generosity, as these can be misleading.
Valid Signs of Low H. Look for signs of "beating the system," instrumental ingratiation, gambling and financial speculation, sexual infidelity, conspicuous consumption, an "above the law" mentality, and contempt of other groups.
Living with Low-H People. Limit your interaction with low-H people, and avoid forming close relationships with them. If you must interact with them, try to align your interests with theirs and be prepared to protect yourself from exploitation.
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FAQ
1. What is "The H Factor of Personality" by Kibeom Lee and Michael C. Ashton about?
- Focus on Honesty-Humility: The book introduces the "H factor," which stands for Honesty-Humility, as a crucial dimension of human personality.
- Expansion of Personality Models: It challenges the traditional "Big Five" personality model by presenting the HEXACO model, which includes six dimensions, with H as a key addition.
- Real-Life Implications: The authors explore how the H factor influences behavior in areas like money, power, sex, politics, religion, and relationships.
- Identifying and Managing Low-H People: The book provides practical advice on recognizing and dealing with manipulative, self-entitled, and exploitative individuals.
- Scientific and Accessible: Written for both lay readers and professionals, it combines research findings with relatable examples and actionable insights.
2. Why should I read "The H Factor of Personality" by Kibeom Lee and Michael C. Ashton?
- Understand Manipulative Behavior: The book helps readers recognize why some people are deceitful, greedy, or exploitative, and how to protect themselves.
- Improve Relationships: By understanding the H factor, readers can make better choices in friends, partners, and colleagues.
- Broaden Personality Knowledge: It introduces the HEXACO model, offering a more complete framework than the Big Five for understanding human nature.
- Practical Applications: The book provides tools for identifying low-H individuals and strategies for interacting with them in daily life.
- Societal Relevance: Insights from the book apply to politics, business, religion, and social issues, making it relevant for anyone interested in human behavior.
3. What are the key takeaways from "The H Factor of Personality" by Kibeom Lee and Michael C. Ashton?
- Honesty-Humility Matters: The H factor is a major predictor of ethical, fair, and cooperative behavior.
- Six-Factor Model: The HEXACO model (Honesty-Humility, Emotionality, eXtraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Openness) better captures personality differences than the Big Five.
- Low-H People Are Risky: Individuals low in H are more likely to cheat, manipulate, and exploit others for personal gain.
- Personality Is Largely Genetic: Most personality differences are due to genetics, not upbringing, but conscious effort can still influence behavior.
- Recognizing and Avoiding Exploitation: The book offers practical signs to spot low-H people and advice on minimizing harm from them.
4. What is the HEXACO model of personality described in "The H Factor of Personality" by Kibeom Lee and Michael C. Ashton?
- Six Dimensions: The HEXACO model includes Honesty-Humility (H), Emotionality (E), eXtraversion (X), Agreeableness (A), Conscientiousness (C), and Openness to Experience (O).
- Honesty-Humility Defined: H captures traits like sincerity, fairness, modesty, and lack of greed, which were missing from the Big Five.
- Broader Coverage: The model is based on cross-cultural research and better explains behaviors like ethical decision-making and exploitation.
- Distinct from Big Five: While similar to the Big Five, HEXACO separates Emotionality and Agreeableness and adds H as a unique factor.
- Practical Assessment: The book includes the HEXACO Personality Inventory for self- and observer-reporting.
5. How does the Honesty-Humility (H) factor work, and why is it important according to "The H Factor of Personality"?
- Core Traits: High H individuals are sincere, fair, modest, and avoid manipulating or exploiting others; low H individuals are deceitful, greedy, and self-important.
- Predicts Ethical Behavior: H is strongly linked to honesty, law-abidingness, and resistance to corruption or cheating.
- Social and Personal Impact: The H factor influences choices in money, power, sex, relationships, and even political and religious attitudes.
- Evolutionary Perspective: High H promotes cooperation and trust, while low H can lead to short-term gains but long-term social costs.
- Not Captured by Big Five: The H factor explains behaviors that the traditional Big Five model misses, making it essential for understanding personality.
6. What are the other five factors in the HEXACO model, and how do they interact with Honesty-Humility in "The H Factor of Personality"?
- Emotionality (E): Involves fearfulness, anxiety, empathy, and attachment; high E promotes kin altruism.
- eXtraversion (X): Covers sociability, liveliness, and assertiveness; high X amplifies the effects of H, making high-H people more likable and low-H people more dangerous.
- Agreeableness (A): Relates to patience, forgiveness, and tolerance; high A supports cooperation, while low A increases conflict, especially when combined with low H.
- Conscientiousness (C): Involves organization, diligence, and self-control; high C can restrain low-H impulses, while low C with low H predicts delinquency.
- Openness to Experience (O): Reflects creativity, curiosity, and appreciation for new ideas; interacts with H to shape attitudes toward tradition, conformity, and even snobbery.
7. How can someone identify low-H people, according to "The H Factor of Personality" by Kibeom Lee and Michael C. Ashton?
- Valid Signs: Look for behaviors like bragging about beating the system, instrumental ingratiation, gambling/speculation, sexual infidelity, conspicuous consumption, and an "above the law" mentality.
- Invalid Signs: Outward respectability, anti-conformity, public religiosity, or public generosity are not reliable indicators of high H.
- Subtle Manipulation: Low-H people may use flattery, fake friendliness, or selective politeness to get what they want.
- Attitudes Toward Others: Contempt for outgroups, cynicism, and a tendency to exploit those seen as different are red flags.
- Observation Over Time: Accurate assessment requires observing a person in varied situations over time, as H is hard to judge quickly.
8. What are the real-life consequences of being low or high in Honesty-Humility, as described in "The H Factor of Personality"?
- Low H Consequences: Increased risk of criminal behavior, workplace misconduct, infidelity, unethical business practices, and social conflict.
- High H Benefits: Greater trust, cooperation, and satisfaction in relationships; less likelihood of being exploited or exploiting others.
- Societal Impact: Societies with more high-H individuals are more egalitarian, less corrupt, and more peaceful.
- Personal Well-being: High-H people tend to have more stable, fulfilling lives, while low-H people may achieve short-term gains but face long-term social costs.
- Influence on Politics and Religion: H shapes attitudes toward equality, authority, and the treatment of outsiders.
9. How does "The H Factor of Personality" by Kibeom Lee and Michael C. Ashton explain the role of personality in politics and religion?
- Politics: Low H predicts support for social dominance and hierarchy (SDO), while low O predicts right-wing authoritarianism (RWA); both shape political attitudes and party preferences.
- Religion: High H, A, and E are modestly linked to religiosity, but O determines whether beliefs are traditional or mystical/spiritual.
- Motivations for Belief: High-H people are more sincere in religious observance, while low-H people may use religion for status or manipulation.
- Group Boundaries: Some religions promote high-H behavior only within the group, while others (like Quakers) extend it universally.
- Personality and Values: H and O are the main personality factors underlying personal values, which in turn influence political and religious choices.
10. What practical advice does "The H Factor of Personality" by Kibeom Lee and Michael C. Ashton offer for dealing with low-H people?
- Limit Interaction: Avoid close personal, romantic, or business relationships with low-H individuals whenever possible.
- Align Interests: If avoidance isn't possible, try to align your interests with theirs to minimize exploitation.
- Don't Expect Change: It's unrealistic to expect low-H people to develop a conscience or change fundamentally.
- Use Caution in Trust: Be wary of trusting people based on superficial signs of respectability or generosity.
- Seek High-H Environments: Choose to associate with high-H individuals and communities for more cooperative and trustworthy relationships.
11. How does "The H Factor of Personality" by Kibeom Lee and Michael C. Ashton address the origins and changeability of personality traits?
- Genetic Basis: About two-thirds of personality differences are due to genetics, with little influence from family upbringing.
- Stability Over Time: Personality traits are highly consistent across the lifespan, though some maturation occurs in adulthood.
- Limited Environmental Effects: Peer groups and birth order have small effects, but major changes are rare.
- Free Will and Growth: While natural levels are stable, conscious effort and self-awareness can help individuals act more ethically and increase their effective H.
- Personality Assessment: The book provides the HEXACO-PI-R inventory for self- and observer-assessment, emphasizing the value of combining both perspectives.
12. What are the best quotes from "The H Factor of Personality" by Kibeom Lee and Michael C. Ashton, and what do they mean?
- "Power corrupts, but power also attracts the corrupt." — Highlights the danger of low-H individuals seeking and abusing positions of authority.
- "The essence of the low-H personality is a willingness to gain by exploiting others." — Summarizes the core of what makes low-H people risky in society.
- "Your level of H doesn’t just depend on your genes and on your childhood—it also depends on your own free
Review Summary
The H Factor of Personality receives mostly positive reviews for its exploration of the honesty-humility trait in personality psychology. Readers appreciate its insights into human behavior, practical applications, and accessible writing style. Many find it helpful for understanding and identifying low-H individuals. Some criticize the political analysis and outdated data. The book is praised for its introduction to the HEXACO model and its potential to improve relationships and decision-making. Overall, it's considered a valuable read for those interested in personality psychology.
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