Examining reversal theory measures in relation to NEO personality dimensions and consideration of future consequences

While the Paratelic Dominance Scale and the Motivational Style Profile have been widely used as dominance measures in a number of reversal theory investigations, there is a continuing need to examine them in relation to other established personality measures. Two conceptually related measures are the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO) and the Consideration of Future Consequences Scale (CFC). These measures were administered to a sample of 136 undergraduate students enrolled in a psychology department personality course. Consistent with our predictions, telic dominance as measured by both instruments emerged as a significant predictor of both NEO conscientiousness and CFC. In addition, a number of other theoretically consistent relations emerged between telic/paratelic dominance, CFC, and NEO dimensions. Findings from the present study lend support to the construct validity of both reversal theory measures.