Article
Portrayal of Personality in Victorian Novels Reflects Modern Research Findings but Amplifies the Significance of Agreeableness
Journal of Research in Personality
(2011)
Abstract
All literature embodies an implicit theory of personality and human nature (Hogan, 1976). The research
described here investigates the implicit personality theory embedded in the behavior of 435 characters in
143 canonical Victorian novels. Characters were rated on the Web by 519 scholars and students of 19thcentury
British literature. Ratings included the characters’ goals, success in achieving goals, mate preferences
and strategies, and personality according to the Five Factor Model. Results suggest that novels by
Victorian authors largely reflect personality and human nature as understood by modern personality psychology,
but Victorian authors amplify the significance of agreeableness and thus, whether intentionally
or not, encourage cooperative impulses in readers.
Disciplines
Publication Date
February 1, 2011
DOI
10.1016/j.jrp.2010.11.011
Citation Information
John A. Johnson, Joseph Carroll, Jonathan Gottschall and Daniel Kruger. "Portrayal of Personality in Victorian Novels Reflects Modern Research Findings but Amplifies the Significance of Agreeableness" Journal of Research in Personality Vol. 45 Iss. 1 (2011) p. 50 - 58 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/joseph-carroll/22/