Content uploaded by Guven Ordun
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Guven Ordun on Jun 17, 2019
Content may be subject to copyright.
Content uploaded by Guven Ordun
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Guven Ordun on Jun 17, 2019
Content may be subject to copyright.
Journal of Economic and Social Studies
Personality Characteristics and Emotional Intelligence Levels
of Millenials: A Study in Turkish Context
Guven Ordun
Faculty of Business Administration
Istanbul University
Turkey
guven.ordun@gmail.com
Asli Akun
Faculty of Business Administration
Istanbul University
Turkey
akun.asli@gmail.com
Abstract:
The purpose of the study is twofold. The first purpose of the
study is to investigate the relations between personality characteristics
and emotional intelligence of the Millennials. Costa and McCrea’s Big
Five Personality Inventory (IPIP-
NEO) is used to measure the
personality characteristics of the millenials. Emotional intelligence
dimensions are measured by Wong and Law emotional intelligence scale
(WLEIS). Secondary purpose of the study is to find self-evaluations of the
Millenials related with their characteristics. Roger’s Q-Sort Scale is used
to find out Millenials self perceptions. An advantage of the Q-Sort Scale
is that it offers straightforward assumptions about the underlying
structure of a concept within demographical segments. Results reveal that
use of emotion is positively correlated with conscientiousness whereas
regulation of emotion is negatively correlate
d with Neuroticism.
Furthermore, personality characteristics have effects on emotional
intelligence dimensions. The effects are much more significant for
regulation and use of emotions dimensions. These dimensions are
assumed to be important determinants o
f performance within
organizations so it is important to analyze the personality constructs
associated with them. Depending on their self-perceptions, millienials
evaluate themselves relatively high on positive traits (e.g. honest, out-
going, etc.) and low on negative traits (e.g. unhelpful, dishonest, etc.).
Regarding personality characteristics, they evaluated themselves highest in
openness and lowest in neuroticism. Millenials will be the dominating
workforce for the upcoming years, so if they are willing to establish high
performance relations, managers should better understand Millenial
characteristics and perspective.
Keyw or ds:
Millenials, Personality
Characteristics, Emotional
Intelligence
JEL Classification:
J13, M14,
Z13
Article History
Submitted: 21 June 2015
Resubmitted: 11 January 2016
Accepted: 04 February 2016
http://dx.doi.org/10.14706/JECO
SS16614
125
Volume 6 Number 1 Spring 2015
Guven Ordun, Asli Akun
Introduction
Emotions can be explained by psysiological changes in the body, cognitions, learning
processes, personality, social relations, experiences, psychological conditions, cultural
practices, and are grounded in daily life (Strongman, 2003). Emotional intelligence
is described as monitoring and evaluating one’s own emotions, monitoring and
evaluating emotions of others, regulating and using them (Hartel, et al. 2005).
Whereas, cognitive intelligence is associated with the factual information about
people, things, events, time, and place, emotional intelligence deals with the
antecedents and mutual relations between these aspects of life (Terrell & Hughes,
2008). Personality can be defined as distinctive and stable ways of behavior (Ewen,
2010). Emotions and personality are known to be intertwined with each other. Some
researches in the field (e.g. Caruso et al., 2002; Ghiabi & Besharat, 2011) have
revealed that, there are significant relations between personality dimensions and
emotional intelligence dimensions. This study aims to search this relation on
millenials. Twenge (2009) discussed that the generation a person belongs to, can be
slightly more influence on the person than his/her family. She added that it is
essential to recognize the own realities of each and every generation within various
contexts (Twenge, 2009). Millenials in Istanbul, Turkey are subjects of this research.
However; the findings may be relevant in other cultures’s generations within the
limitations of specific historical, social, and economic conditions.
Theoretical Background
Assesment of Personality
Personality has been studied thoroughly throughout the years and researchers have
stated theories about personality. The psychodynamic perspective explains the effect
of the unconscious, below the surface on the structure and development of
personality, whereas the humanistic perspective underlines the positive human
nature and self-actualizing capability on the structure and development of
personality. The trait approach emphasizes the effect of conscious, above the surface
and behavior patterns on the structure and development of personality, whereas the
behaviorist theory focuses on the effect of environment and learning in shaping
personality. Cognitive approach emphasizes the effect of mental processes on the
structure and development of personality (Ewen, 2010). Although these approaches
have some commonalities in themes such as unconscious, psychopathology, etc.,
they explain these themes and personality in different ways which may complement
each other. In this study the contribution of trait approach to personality and
126 Journal of Economic and Social Studies
Personality Characteristics and Emotional Intelligence Levels of Millenials:
A Study in Turkish Context
Roger’s, one of the well known names of humanistic approach, with his Q-sort test,
and the contribution of behaviorist approach with its emphasis of the environment
on human behavior, specifically from the cohort’s effect on personality characteristics
of millenials can be understood. However, the contributions of psychodynamic
perspective and cognitive perspective are not excluded in the sense that although
they can not be measured in this research, they implicitly exist.
Related with trait approach, many researchers in the field have searched for the
personality factors and their measures. Especially the measure of Big Five that is
composed of five factors, namely, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness,
neuroticism, and openness is accepted as valid and reliable in various cultures
(McCrea and Costa, 1997). Personality dimensions show disposition to coherent
patterns of thoughts, feelings, and actions (McCrae, 2002). Revised Neo Personality
Inventory assesses six specific lower level traits (facets) for each of the five function
spheres or combinations of subset of attributes (domains), has been widely used
(Costa & McCrae, 1995). Extraversion refers to being highly active, social and
having positive feelings. Openness to experience represents the tendency to develop
oneself in intellectual ways and to experience new ideas, things, people, etc.
Agreeableness refers to kind, helping and thoughtful behavior. Conscientiousness is
associated with determination, self-control, and achievement orientation.
Neuroticism can be defined as the tendency to feel nervous, touchy, and bad-
tempered (Furnham et al., 2003). In a study, the relationship between NEO-PI-R
and MBTI that is derived from Jung’s types and developed by Myers was examined.
According to the results, NEO-PI-R’s extraversion was correlated positively with
MBTI’s extraversion and negatively correlated with introversion. MBTI’s sensing-
intuition type explains how people perceive information and openness was negatively
associated with achieving information through senses and MBTI’ sensing and
positively associated with discovering possibilities that are unobvious and MBTI’s
intuition. MBTI’s thinking-feeling type describes how people judge information.
Agreeableness was found out negatively related with analyzing and MBTI’s thinking
and positively related with experiencing emotions and MBTI’s feeling. MBTI’s
judging-perceiving type signifies how people comprehend and work with
information. Conscientiousness was positively correlated with reaching conclusions
and MBTI’s judging and negatively correlated with becoming aware and MBTI’s
perceiving. MBTI’s extraversion-introversion type describes how mental orientation
toward life is. Neuorticism was negatively related with MBTI’s extraversion and
positively related with MBTI’s introversion (Furnham et al., 2003). Lately, The
Revised Neo, modified in a more readable way, has been called as NEO-PI-3. It was
127
Volume 6 Number 1 Spring 2016
Guven Ordun, Asli Akun
found out to be psychometrically better even than sound NEO-PI-R and applicable
to adolescent sample (McCrae, Costa & Martin, 2004). In this study, IPIP-NEO
with 120 statements is used. This short verison of IPIP-NEO has been found out
valid and reliable (Johnson, 2014).
Emotional Intelligence
Emotions and motivation have the same Latin root of “move”. Not suprisingly,
emotions influence people’s behaviors, choices, etc. People generally decide between
moving toward to pleasure, moving away from pain, moving against obstacles, and
stopping as focusing on and giving attention to what one is doing. Stopping is also a
tactic that animals such as rabbits use to survive. Stopping requires a high degree of
emotional intelligence to control automatic responses and impulses. People may
develop stopping through meditation (Terrell & Hughes, 2008). Approaching from
another perspective, deriving from the basics of relational emotive theraphy
emotions are cognitions derived from one’s assessments of social environment that
lead to certain feelings (Strongman, 2003).
Deutschendorf (2009) provided historical background of emotional intelligence
research. Researchers have worked on the types of intelligence since 1900s. BarOn
developed one of the first valid tests in the field. In 1990 John Mayer, Peter Salovey,
and David Caruso developed ability based emotional intelligence test. In 1995
Daniel Goleman published his book “Emotional Intelligence” that gained public
interest and became a bestseller. In 1998, Goleman published his second book
“Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace” which strenghtened the success and
understanding of the concept (Deutschendorf, 2009).
Salovey and Mayer (1990) view emotions as organized responses, crossing the
boundaries of many psychological subsystems, including the physiological, cognitive,
motivational, and experiential systems. Emotions typically arise in response to an
event, either internal or external, that has a positively or negatively valenced meaning
for the individual. Emotions can be distinguished from the closely related concept of
mood in that emotions are shorter and generally more intense. Emotional
intelligence is not about behaving in good manner or behaving accordingly only to
one’s own intentions (Goleman, 1998). Emotional intelligence refers to recognizing
one’s own emotions, emotions of others and managing emotions in social relations
(Goleman, 1998). Goleman mentioned five main emotional and social abilities as
self-awareness, self-regulation, internal motivation, empathy, and social skills
(Goleman, 1998).
128 Journal of Economic and Social Studies
Personality Characteristics and Emotional Intelligence Levels of Millenials:
A Study in Turkish Context
Emotional intelligence has also been researched in Turkish literature. Sahin et.al
(2009) analyzed relations between emotional intelligence, stress tolerance and Type
A Personality. Findings revealed that emotional intelligence is negatively correlated
with Type A personality and positively correlated with stress tolerance. İsmen (2001)
analyzed the relations between emotional intelligence and self evaluated problem-
solving skills and specified a positive correlation between these concepts. Erkus and
Gunlu (2008) found positive relations between emotional intelligence and
dimensions of transformational leadership. Karahan and Yalcin (2009) examined the
effect of emotional intelligence skills training program on emotional intelligence
skills improvement by pretest-posttest design. Emotional intelligence was measured
by Hall’s self-evaluation scale including emotional awareness, managing emotions,
self-motivation, empathy, and coaching other people’s emotions dimensions. The
study revealed that the program was indeed useful for developing emotional
intelligence skills both in short and long-terms (Karahan & Yalcin, 2009).
Personality and Emotional Intelligence
In literature, there have been studies that investigated the relationships between
personality dimensions and emotional intelligence. Ghiabi and Besharat (2011)
found that emotional intelligence is positively related with extraversion, openness,
agreeableness, and conscientiousness, negatively related with neuroticisim.
Furthermore, emotional intelligence was positively predicted by extraversion and
negatively predicted by neuroticism. Extraversion is explained as an attribute, which
eases experiencing pleasure and having positive emotions, with the effect of
emotional intelligence, and it will lead to high quality relationships (Ghiabi and
Besharat, 2011). Caruso, Mayer, and Salovey (2002) mentioned that ability based
emotional intelligence measures are distinguishable from the personality measures in
the sense that they measure an ability, a kind of intelligence. In their study they used
multi factor emotional intelligence scale and 16 PF. The results showed that
emotional intelligence positively correlated with sensivity primary factor and
extraversion global factor (Caruso et al., 2002). Sudak and Zehir (2013) analyzed the
relations between emotional intelligence, personality types and job satisfaction. Their
findings have represented significant correlations between all dmiensions of
personality and emotional intelligence. Highest positive correlation was between
agreeableness and other emotional appraisal. Although personality and emotions
have been investigated in literature, integration of the generation cohort to these
dimensions is relatively few. Petrides et al. (2007) investigated the relation between
personality characteristics and emotional intelligence. Their sample mean age was 25
129
Volume 6 Number 1 Spring 2016
Guven Ordun, Asli Akun
and considered to be within the millennial cohort. They found significant relations
between personality characteristics and emotional intelligence. Bergman et al. (2011)
analyzed the relation between narcissism and social network usage of the millennial
generation. Narcissism was not found to be as the main predictor of social network
usage and discussed that millennials’ social network usage was not solely about
attention seeking or maintaining self-esteem (a common stereotype for “Generation
Me”), but also a means of connecting and communicating. Despite all common
beliefs a comprehensive investigation is needed for milennial generation.
Millenials as a Generation Cohort
According to researchers, macro-level social, political and economic events that occur
during the pre-adult years of a cohort result in a generational identity comprising a
distinctive set of values, beliefs, expectations and behaviors. These values, beliefs,
expectations and behaviors remain constant throughout a generation’s lifetime
(Jackson et al., 2011).
As generally accepted in the literature four major cohorts exist: Veterans were born
between 1920 and 1945; Baby Boomers between 1946 and 1964; Generation X
members were born between 1965 and 1980 and Generation Y between 1981 and
2000. Each generation has its own characteristics due to different economic, social,
and political world events of their times. Great Depression and World War II in
veteran’s generation, Civil Rights Movements and Cold War in baby boomers’
generation, Challenger explosion and Fall of Berlin Wall in Xers generation, and
intense use of computers and multiculturalism in Y generation are among the
striking events of their times (Zemke, et al., 2000). Regarding the general
characteristics of Millenial generation, the most striking is that they are globally
connected through Internet and social media (Ordun, 2015).
When the literature about millennial cohort is analyzed, it seems that in different
continents different aspects of the millenials’ attributes gained more attention for
studying.
In US the researches on millenials have concentrated on topics such as
social media (e.g. Nusair et al., 2013), consumers (e.g. Wolf et al., 2005);
in Europe
main topics of research mostly focused on culture (e.g. Mihelcea et al. 2013) and
communication and multilingualism (e.g. Sundberg, 2013);
in Asia studies mostly
focused on negotiation (e.g. Vieregge & Quick, 2010) and hospitality management
(e.g. Kong et al., 2015);
in Australia, domestic tourism (e.g.
Gardiner et al., 2014);
in Africa, technology (e.g. Dlodlo & Mahlangu, 2013).
130 Journal of Economic and Social Studies
Personality Characteristics and Emotional Intelligence Levels of Millenials:
A Study in Turkish Context
Turkey is a transcontinental country between Europe and Asia. According to the
historical perspective, post Republican era in Turkey witnessed important socio
political events. Taking its roots from 1960s onwards, the political crisis and
instability resulted in 1980 military coup (Kaya Ozcelik, 2011). Being sensitive to
changes and developments in the world and specifically in Western societies, Turkish
science and philosophy has also been affected. After 1980s, poverty, development,
diversity and identity have mostly been emphasized. After 1990s globalization and
postmodernity started to determine the sociologic agenda (Ozcan, 2009). Thus, the
desired and undesired effects of the historical conditions on that current generation
and the following generations have become inevitable. Depending on the
problematic situations before 1980s upcoming generations were thought to be not
interested in politics however recent events signified that Y generation university
students have expressed their sociopolitical preferences through social media (Cakar
Mengu, et al., 2015). Yuksekbilgili (2013) investigated the characteristics of
millenials revealed in Turkey. The sample consisted of 603 millenials in Turkey and
the findings revealed that they trust their technological abilities more than listening,
effective communication, teamwork, and time management abilities. Millenails
thought that they don’t have skills for managing communication with difficult
people especially as they define themselves as impatient. Although they were not
highly committed to their organizations they were willing to work more in order to
get an early promotion. They also favor online shopping (Yuksekbilgili, 2013).
Another study with a sample of 1247 people, aimed to identiy the age interval of Y
generation in Turkey. The birth dates have ranged from 1983 to 1995 for millenials
in Turkey, different from the generally accepted 1980-2000 interval. The difference
was explained with the latency in dispersion of technological advances and internet
use in Turkey (Yuksekbilgili, 2015).
The millenials in Bosnia and Herzegovina have had different historic, socio
economic conditions and so experiences than rest of Europe. Röper and Gavranidou
(2003) mentioned that after the Bosnian War (1991-1995), healing trauma,
providing trainings, and counseling for coming generations have become important
issues.
Eder (2014) also stated the war’s negative socioeconomic consequences such
as forced migration and financial difficulties and negative effects on youth education.
All in all, Y generation is expected to be involved in a diverse working environment.
Diversity refers to varied attributes regarding demographics, psychological
conditions, knowledge, values, skills, interests, and experiences (Landy and Conte,
2007). Deriving from generational diversity, the clash of values and views are more
131
Volume 6 Number 1 Spring 2016
Guven Ordun, Asli Akun
visible in workplaces where multigenerations work together. Being aware of the fact
that people may have different generational backgrounds, this may serve as barriers
regarding stereotypes. Especially when there is uncertainity and crisis, conflict shows
itself as tension and understanding generational differences may bridge the gaps
(Zemke, et al., 2000).
Hypotheses of the Study
The main assumption of the study focuses on the intercorrelations of the
dimensions. Dimensions of Emotional Intelligence and their correlates with Big 5
personality traits are investigated. In addition, millenials’ self-perception is explored
by Roger’s Q-Sort scale. As it was mentioned before, some personality traits (i.e.
extraversion, neuroticism) have been found closely associated with emotional
intelligence. Accordingly, the hypotheses are stated below:
H1.
Emotional intelligence dimensions of Millennials are correlated with main
personality attributes.
The main dimensions of emotional intelligence defined as self-emotional appraisal,
other emotional appraisal, regulation of emotions and use of emotions. Regression
analysis has been computed to find out personality determinants of each emotional
intelligence dimension.
H2.
Emotional intelligence dimensions are influenced by personality traits.
In addition, Millenials self-perception was explored by Roger’s Q-Sort scale.
Methodology
Sample
The sample consists of 237 undergraduate students in Turkey, Istanbul. Since
Istanbul has a cosmopolit structure, it is to a certain extent representative for Turkey.
According to the demographics 118 females and 119 males answered the
questionnaires. The participants are from three public universities in Istanbul;
Bogazici University, Marmara University, and Istanbul University.
132 Journal of Economic and Social Studies
Personality Characteristics and Emotional Intelligence Levels of Millenials:
A Study in Turkish Context
Measures
Emotional intelligence is measured using the 16 items self-report Wong and Law
(2002) Trait Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS). Emotional intelligence measure
has 4 dimensions and 4 items for each as self emotional appraisal dimension (I have a
good sense of why I have certain feelings most of the time) others’ emotional
appraisal (I am a good observer of others’ emotions), regulation of emotions (I am
able to control my temper and handle difficulties rationally), and use of emotions (I
set goals for myself and then try my best to achieve them) (Wong & Law, 2002).
Personality characteristics were assessed by the IPIP-NEO-120, which is the short
form of IPIP-NEO by Goldberg and based on Costa and McCrea’s NEO-PI-R
(1992) (Johnson, 2014). IPIP-NEO-120 has 5 domains, which consist of 6 facets
with 4 items for each facet. Neuroticism domain includes anxiety, anger, depression,
self-consciousness, immoderation, and vulnerability facets. Extraversion domain
consists of friendliness, gregariousness, assertiveness, activity level, excitement
seeking, and cheerfulness facets. Openness to experience domain includes
imagination, artistic interests, emotionality, adventurousness, intellect, and
liberalism facets. Agreeableness domain consists of trust, morality, altruism,
cooperation, modesty, and sympathy facets. Conscientiousness domain includes self-
efficacy, orderliness, dutifulness, achievement-striving, self-discipline, and
cautiousness facets. The scale has showed strong psychometric properties (Johnson,
2014). Q Sort is a test of congruence between perceived and ideal self and Rogers,
one of the well known names of humanistic perspective, (1961) used this test in
psychotheraphy process of their clients. 24 adjectives have been used in order to
reveal out only their self-evaluations. The scales are measured on a 5-point Likert-
type scale ranging from 1 (totally disagree) to 5 (totally agree). The short definitions
of the dimensions are presented in the table 1.
133
Volume 6 Number 1 Spring 2016
Guven Ordun, Asli Akun
Table 1: Definitions
Emotional Intelligence Dimensions
Definition
Self Emotional Appraisal
Understanding one’s emotions
Other Emotional Appraisal
Observation & sensitivity to others’ emotions
Regulation of Emotions
Control, adjust emotions & soothe oneself
Use of Emotions
Use emotions in constructive ways
Big Five Personality Traits
Definition
Neuroticism
Have negative feelings & feel threatened
Extraversion
Feel enthusiasm in most relationships
Openness
Feel pleasure with various experiences
Agreeableness
Have kind & understanding relationships
Conscientiousness
Be persistent & control impulses
*i
*ii
Analysis and Results
Mean scores and standart deviations are calculated for either of the inventory
dimensions.
Table 2: Mean Scores and Std. Deviations of Emotional Intelligence Dimensions
Emotional Intelligence Dimensions
Mean
Std. Deviation
Self Emotional Appraisal
3,71
0,71
Other Emotional Appraisal
3,72
0,68
Regulation of Emotions
3,37
0,86
Use of Emotions
3,58
0,71
Self-emotional appraisal and other emotional appraisal have the highest mean scores.
While self-emotional appraisal is related with awareness of one’s self-emotions, other
emotional appraisal is related with feeling empathy for others. While regulation of
emotions is mostly related with controlling the urges instead of driven by them, use
of emotions is associated with motivation and self-efficacy. The lowest mean score
that millennials ranked themselves among all dimensions is the regulation of
emotions.
134 Journal of Economic and Social Studies
Personality Characteristics and Emotional Intelligence Levels of Millenials:
A Study in Turkish Context
Table 3: Mean Scores and Std. Deviations of Big Five Personality Traits
Big Five Personality Traits
Mean
Std. Deviation
Neuroticism
2,78
0,50
Extraversion
3,46
0,44
Openness
3,57
0,45
Agreeableness
3,42
0,46
Conscientiousness
3,51
0,52
Neuroticism is related with the tendency to experience unpleasant emotions such as
anger, worry or depression; it also refers to the degree of emotional instability and
impulsivity. Extraversion refers to the positive feelings and good social relations.
Those individuals with high levels of extraversion experience positive emotions and
have high levels of energy, assertiveness and sociability. Openness is associated with
the appreciation of new and unfamiliar. It is also related with the imaginative
capacity of the individidual. Agreeableness is about having the tendency to cooperate
rather than being suspicious towards others. It is also related with one’s trusting and
helping nature. Conscientiousness is associated with self-discipline, dutifulness and
aim for achievement (McCrae & Costa, 1989). In this research, openness has the
highest and neuroticism has the lowest mean score.
Table 4: Mean Scores and Std. Deviations of Personality Facets
Main Traits
Facets
Mean
Std. Deviation
Neuroticism
Anxiety
3.07
0.85
Anger
3.08
0.97
Depression
2.44
0.71
Self-Consciousness
2.72
0.67
Immoderation
2.76
0.73
Vulnerability
2.56
0.77
Extraversion
Friendliness
3.50
0.67
Gregariousness
3.03
0.87
Assertiveness
3.73
0.61
Activity
3.28
0.70
Excitement
3.39
0.80
Cheerfulness
3.79
0.72
Openness
Imagination
3.96
0.77
Artistic
3.63
0.77
Emotionality
3.82
0.63
135
Volume 6 Number 1 Spring 2016
Guven Ordun, Asli Akun
Adventurousness
3.16
0.69
Intellect
3.63
0.79
Liberalism
3.18
0.68
Agreeableness
Trust
3.28
0.86
Morality
3.78
0.87
Altruism
3.96
0.65
Cooperation
3.13
0.75
Modesty
2.60
0.65
Sympathy
3.74
0.73
Conscientiousness
Efficacy
3.74
0.64
Orderliness
3.23
0.95
Dutifulness
3.97
0.65
Achievement
3.47
0.75
Discipline
3.30
0.70
Cautiousness
3.32
0.82
Although anxiety and anger facets are slighty positive, every other facet in
neuroticism domain is under mean score of neuroticism. Among all, depression has
the lowest mean score. Anxiety can be defined as fear for the worst possibility, worry
for things and low resistance to stress. Low resistance to irritation and being quick-
tempered characterize anger. Depression, which has the lowest mean score, signifies
feeling dislike and uncomfort for self (Johnson, 2014). Cheerfulness has the highest
and gregariousness has the lowest mean scores among extraversion domain. Having
and radiating joy and loving life in a bright perspective describe cheerfulness. The
lowest scored facet gregariousness signifies preferring crowds and talking with many
different people in social gatherings (Johnson, 2014). Imagination has the highest
and adventurousness has the lowest mean score in openness domain. Having new
ideas and enjoying fantasies characterize imagination. Adventurouness signify
orientation to change and variety (Johnson, 2014). Among the domain
agreeableness, altruism has the highest and modesty has the lowest mean score. Low
scorers in modesty believe they are superior and may be considered arrogant by
others. Altruism can be defined as manifest in an active concern for the welfare of
others (Johnson, 2014). Dutifulness has the highest and orderliness has the lowest
mean score in conscientiousness domain. Dutifulness can be described by adherence
to truth, rules, and promises. Orderliness can be characterized by putting things back
in their place and tidying up (Johnson, 2014). In addition, among all facets
dutifulness has the highest and vulnerability has the lowest mean scores.
136 Journal of Economic and Social Studies
Personality Characteristics and Emotional Intelligence Levels of Millenials:
A Study in Turkish Context
Table 5: Correlations between Dimensions of Emotional Intelligence and Big Five
Personality Traits
Correlations
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
1.self emotional
appraisal
1
2.other emotional
appraisal
.333** 1
3.use of emotions .157* .162* 1
4.regulation of
emotions .054 .050 .232** 1
5.neuroticism -.115 .049 -.216**
-
.451
**
1
6.extraversion .252** .236** .255** .164* -.304** 1
7.openness .204** .170** .144* .152* -.190** .330** 1
8.agreeableness -.005 .130* .053 .323** -.107 .037 .370** 1
9.conscientiousness .074 .167* .595** .334** -.351** .194** .308** .389** 1
**. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).
*. Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (2-tailed).
According to the correlation results, one of the most powerful relations is between
use of emotions and conscientiousness (r=.60, p<.01). The facets of
conscientiousness are self-efficacy, orderliness, dutifulness, achievement striving, self-
discipline, and cautiousness (Johnson, 2014). Use of emotions refers to the ability to
utilize one’s own emotions to increase one’s performance (Bitmis & Ergeneli, 2014).
Thus, it is understandable that people’s abilities to employ their emotions are
significantly and positively related with their efficacy, goal-attainment, discipline,
and care. Furthermore, one of the other most powerful relations is found between
regulation of emotions and neuroticism. Accordingly, regulation of emotions has
negative and significant correlation with neuroticism (r=-.45, p<.01). The facets of
neuroticism are anxiety, anger, depression, self-consciousness, immoderation, and
vulnerability (Johnson, 2014). Regulation of emotions refers to one’s ability to adjust
one’s emotions (Bitmis & Ergeneli, 2014). It is coherent that people’s abilities to
137
Volume 6 Number 1 Spring 2016
Guven Ordun, Asli Akun
regulate their emotions will be negatively related with their worry, bad-temper,
unbalanced acts, and fragility.
In addition, there are other significant relations between variables however they are
not as strong as the relations that was explained in previous paragraphs. Self
emotional appraisal is related significantly and positively with extraversion (r=.25,
p<.01) and openness (r=.20, p<.01). Other emotional appraisal is correlated with
significantly and positively with extraversion (r=.24, p<.01), openness (r=.17, p<.01),
agreeableness (r=.13, p<.05), and conscientiousness (r=.17, p<.05). Use of emotions
is significantly and negatively associated with neuroticism (r=-.22, p<.01), whereas it
is significantly and positively associated with extraversion (r=.26, p<.01) and
openness (r=.14, p<.05). Regulation of emotions is found to have significant and
positive correlations with extraversion (r=.16, p<.05), openness (r=.15, p<.05),
agreeableness (r=.32, p<.01), and conscientiousness (r=.33, p<.01).
Table 6: The Impact of Big Five Personality Traits on Self Emotional Appraisal by
Regression Analysis
Model Summary
ANOVA
R
R Square
Adjusted R
Square
F
Sig.
.305
.093
.073
4.606
.001
Correlations
Unstandardized
Coefficients
Standardized
Coefficients
B
Std. Error
Beta
t
Sig.
(Constant)
.027
.063
.427
.670
Neuroticism
-.044
.070
-.044
-.626
.532
Extraversion
.195
.070
.196
2.788
.006
Openness
.156
.073
.157
2.140
.033
Agreeableness
-.082
.072
-.083
-1.136
.257
Conscientiousness
.033
.074
.032
.439
.661
All in all, in addition to the powerful correlations between use of emotions and
conscientiousness and regulation of emotions and neuroticism, extraversion is found
to have significant and positive relations with all dimensions of emotional
intelligence. It is meaningful that people who feel comfortable with people, have
control in relationships, are socially active, and enjoy adventure may also
138 Journal of Economic and Social Studies
Personality Characteristics and Emotional Intelligence Levels of Millenials:
A Study in Turkish Context
comprehend one’s own emotions and emotions of others around and they may
adjust their emotions in social life and make use of them constructively.
The model summary table shows that big five personality traits can explain the % 7
of change in self emotional appraisal significantly (p<.01). From the coefficients
table, it can be seen that only extraversion (p<.01) and openness (p<.05) have
positive and significant effects on self emotional appraisal. It is coherent that
extraverted people, who experience themselves in social situations and people who
are open to experience, being interested in ideas, discussions, and arts, are likely to
realize their emotions much more.
Table 7: The Impact of Big Five Personality Traits on Other Emotional Appraisal by
Regression Analysis
Model Summary
ANOVA
R
R Square
Adjusted R
Square
F
Sig.
.333
.111
.091
5.594
.000
Correlations
Unstandardized Coefficients
Standardized
Coefficients
B
Std. Error
Beta
t
Sig.
(Constant)
.000
.064
.003
.997
Neuroticism
.189
.070
.188
2.711
.007
Extraversion
.246
.070
.243
3.506
.001
Openness
.061
.073
.060
.827
.409
Agreeableness
.064
.072
.064
.888
.375
Conscientiousness
.150
.075
.147
2.008
.046
The model summary table shows that Big Five Personality traits can explain %9 of
change in other emotional appraisal significantly (p< .001). From the coefficients
table, it can be seen that neuroticisim (p<.01), extraversion (p<.01), and
conscientiousness (p<.05) have significant effects on other emotional appraisal. It is
understandable that neurotic people, who worry about things easily, are likely to be
sensitive to the clues in their social environment such as others’ emotions although
the appraisal of it will probably be negative. In addition, it is meaningful that
extraverted people, who are busy with social contacts and conscientiousness people,
who give importance to integrity and discipline, are likely to be more sensitive to the
emotions of others. The question may come to the mind that agreeableness which is
related with concern and feel sorry for problems of others why not came up as
139
Volume 6 Number 1 Spring 2016
Guven Ordun, Asli Akun
statistically significant for its effect on understanding emotions’s of others. This
might be explained by the meaning, content of agreeableness is related with
sempathy (Johnson, 2014) rather than empathy.
Table 8: The Impact of Big Five Personality Traits on Regulation of Emotions by
Regression Analysis
Model Summary
ANOVA
R
R Square
Adjusted R
Square
F
Sig.
.538
.290
.274
18.288
.000
Correlations
Unstandardized Coefficients
Standardized
Coefficients
B
Std . Error
Beta
t
Sig.
(Constant)
.000
.056
.003
.998
Neuroticism
-.384
.062
-.384
-6.211
.000
Extraversion
.042
.062
.042
.670
.504
Openness
-.074
.065
-.074
-1.145
.253
Agreeableness
.272
.064
.273
4.246
.000
Conscientiousness
.103
.066
.102
1.559
.120
The model summary table shows that big five personality traits can explain %27 of
change in regulation of emotions significantly (p<.001). From the coefficients table,
it can be understood that neuroticisim (p<.001) and agreeableness (p<.001) have
significant effects on regulation of emotions. Neurotics, who are bad-tempered and
get owerhelmed easily, are less likely to control anger and cope with difficulties
rationally. Agreeable people, who prefer cooperation and modesty, are more likely to
have good control of their emotions and be calm in difficult situations.
The model summary table indicates that big five personality traits can explain % 41
of change in use of emotions significantly (p<.001). From the coefficients table, it
can be seen that only extraversion (p<.01), agreeableness (p<.01), and
conscientiousness (p<.001) have significant effects on use of emotions. It is coherent
that extraverted people who are socially active and take charge and conscientious
people, who strive for achievement, actualize plans, think and decide cautiously, are
likely to be motivated to do the best for their goals. It is also found out that
agreeable people, who trust others and like to help others, are less likely to set self-
oriented goals and concern more for other-oriented goals.
140 Journal of Economic and Social Studies
Personality Characteristics and Emotional Intelligence Levels of Millenials:
A Study in Turkish Context
Table 9: The Impact of Big Five Personality Traits on Use of Emotions by Regression
Analysis
Model Summary
ANOVA
R
R Square
Adjusted R
Square
F
Sig.
.653
.426
.413
33.278
.000
Correlations
Unstandardized
Coefficients
Standardized
Coefficients
B
Std. Error
Beta
t
Sig.
(Constant)
.003
.051
.062
.951
Neuroticism
.031
.056
.031
.561
.575
Extraversion
.165
.056
.163
2.920
.004
Openness
-.038
.059
-.038
-.655
.513
Agreeableness
-.190
.058
-.189
-3.266
.001
Conscientiousness
.684
.060
.672
11.433
.000
Table 10: Self-Appraisals of Millennials on Roger’s Q-Sort List of Attributes
Adjective
Mean
Std. Dev.
Rank
Adjective
Mean
Std. Dev.
Rank
Anxious
3,03
1,14
18
Optimistic
3,77
1,09
7
Attractive
3,24
1,15
14
Organized
3,70
1,13
8
Careless
3,09
1,44
16
Out-Going
4,06
0,88
2
Depressed
2,53
1,24
21
Plain
3,62
1,19
9
Dishonest
2,19
1,25
23
Relaxed
3,91
1,16
6
Energetic
4,00
0,94
5
Sad
2,65
1,16
20
Funny 3,54 1,21 11 Serious 3,41 1,10 13
Happy
3,54
1,20
11
Shy
3,16
1,35
15
Honest
4,24
0,78
1
Sloppy
3,01
1,34
19
Intelligent
4,05
0,87
3
Strong
3,61
1,03
10
Kind
4,03
0,94
4
Unhelpful
1,95
1,16
24
Lazy
3,07
1,35
17
Weak
2,24
1,17
22
In Roger’s self assessment inventory, the adjective “honest” has the highest mean
value and “unhelpful” has the lowest mean value that means most millenials perceive
themselves as honest and only some perceive themselves as unhelpful. In addition to
the self-assessment results, as can be seen in the aforementioned paragraphs, the two
hypotheses of the study are supported.
141
Volume 6 Number 1 Spring 2016
Guven Ordun, Asli Akun
Conclusions and Discussion
Early millennials are about to gradute from faculties and this might be the best
chance to identify their characteristics
,
preferences, needs and values as they are
supposed to have a say on world issues soon. In the scope of this research, the
personality characteristics and their impact on emotional intelligence were studied.
In addition, since every one else seems to say something about them; some with
positive connotations (innovative, smart, well-educated, organized, social, ambitious
etc) and some with negative connotations (lazy, irresponsible, impatient, selfish,
disrespectful, etc), this study aims to understand their self-perception from their
point of views.
According to the correlation results, personality constructs have significant relations
with emotional intelligence dimensions as indicated in the aforementioned analysis
part in detail. By the evaluation of the regression analyses, the prediction capacity of
personality construct especially on regulation and use of emotion dimensions is
identified. As those dimensions are considered to be important on the level of
performance and advancement, the importance of personality assessment in
personnel selection might need to be reevaluated. Both hypotheses proposing
significant relations between the dimensions of emotional intelligence and
personality traits are accepted. Depending on the mean scores of Roger’s Q-sort list
it can also be identified that positive traits are evaluated more than negative traits.
Honest, out-going, intelligent, and kind have the highest mean scores while
unhelpful, dishonest, weak and depressed have the lowest mean scores.
Although there have been studies that have examined the relationship between
personality and emotional intelligence in many contexts, this study has a different
aim, model, and measured the concepts differently. In addition, the results can be
useful for millenials’ retention in work life adaptively, contributing their success to
organizational performance, and decreasing youth unemployment as much as
possible within the limitations of socioeconomic framework.
In further researches, the effect of cultural context on this relationship can also be
taken into consideration. The research topic can be investigated in other geographies
in Turkey rather than Istanbul or in different countries. Also, in further studies when
adequate numbers of millennials have significant roles in work life, relation between
personality characteristics and performance scores need to be investigated with the
mediator role of emotional intelligence.
142 Journal of Economic and Social Studies
Personality Characteristics and Emotional Intelligence Levels of Millenials:
A Study in Turkish Context
In addition, in one of the interviews that was published in a business and economics
journal, Guler Sabanci, one of the most well-known and successful woman in
Turkey, talked about understanding Y generation. Deriving from her experiences,
she mentioned that it is important for all people to read the changing world
comprehensively. She added that instead of market share millenials care about share
of heart, they give importance to the universal values such as equality, sustainability
and social responsibility and they have the long-term perspective. She stated that
these factors could be important for their loyalty (Capital, 2015). In future, the
researches regarding the practical implications of the values and preferences of
millenials can be examined in social and business context.
It is also crucial to make sense of present and future socioeconomic conditions by
considering history and what it has tought. This is valid not only for countries but
also for individuals and groups as well. In this regard, youth as a sample who is at the
intersection of past and future, who are affected by past, write today, and shape
future conditions although bounded by the world’s circumstances, is a vital source of
research.
References
Bergman, S. M., Fearrington, M. E., Davenport, S. W., & Bergman, J. Z. (2011).
Millennials, Narcissism, and Social networking: What Narcissists do on Social
Networking Sites and Why? Personality and Individual Differences, 50 (5), 706-711.
Bitmis, M. G. & Ergenali, A. (2014). Emotional Intelligence: Reassessing the
Construct Validity. Procedia Social and Behavioral Studies, 150, 1090-1094. Doi:
10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09.123.
Cakar Mengu, S., Gucdemir, Y., Erturk, D., & Canan, S. (2015). Political
Preferences of Generation Y University Students with Regards to Governance and
Social Media: A Study on March 2014 Local Elections. Procedia Social and
Behavioral Sciences, 174, 791-797.
Capital (2015). Journal of Business and Economics, 23 (6).
143
Volume 6 Number 1 Spring 2016
Guven Ordun, Asli Akun
Caruso, D. R, Mayer, J. D., & Salovey, P. (2002). Relation of an Ability Measure of
Emotional Intelligence to Personality. Journal of Personality Assessment, 79 (2), 306-
320. Doi: 10.1207/S15327752JPA7902_12.
Costa, P. T. Jr. & McCrae, R. R. (1992). Revised NEO Personality Inventory
(NEO-PI-R) and NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) Professional Manual.
Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.
Costa, P.T. Jr. & McCrae, R.R. (1995). Domains and Facets: Hierarchical
Personality Assessment Using the Revised NEO Personality Inventory. Journal of
Personality Assessment, 64 (1), 21-50.
Deutschendorf, H. (2009). The Other Kind of Smart: Simple Ways to Boost Your
Emotional Intelligence for Greater Personal Effectiveness and Success. American
Management Association
Dlodlo, N. & Mahlangu, H. B. (2013). Using Mobile Devices for Recreation among
the Millenial Generation. African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation
and Dance, 19 (4: 2), 874-890.
Eder, C. (2014). Displacement and Education of the Next Generation: Evidence
from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Iza Journal of Labor and Development, 3 (12), 1-24,
http://www.izajold.com/content/3/1/12.
Erkus, A. & Gunlu, E. (2008). Duygusal Zekânın Donusumcu Liderlik Uzerine
Etkileri. Dokuz Eylul Universitesi Isletme Fakultesi Dergisi, 9(2).
Ewen, R. B. (2010). An Introduction to Theories of Personality. 7th Edition,
Psychology Press.
Furnham, A., Moutafi, J., & Crump, J. (2003) The Relationship between the
Revised Neo-Personality Inventory and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Social
Behavior and Personality, 31 (6), 577-584. Doi: 10.2224/sbp.2003.31.6.577.
Gardiner, S., Grace, D., & King, C. (2014). The Generation Effect: The Future of
Domestic Tourism in Australia. Journal of Travel Research, 53 (6), 705-720, Doi:
10.1177/0047287514530810.
144 Journal of Economic and Social Studies
Personality Characteristics and Emotional Intelligence Levels of Millenials:
A Study in Turkish Context
Ghiabi, B. & Besharat, M. A. (2011). An Investigation of the Relationship Between
Personality Dimensions and Emotional Intelligence. Procedia Social and Behavioral
Sciences, 30, 416-420.
Goleman, D. (1998). Isbasinda Duygusal Zekâ. 3. Basim. Varlik Yayinlari.
Hartel, C. E. J., Zerbe, W. J., & Ashkanasy, N. M. (2005). Emotions in
Organizational Behavior. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc., Publishers.
Ismen, A. E. (2001). Duygusal Zekâ ve Problem Cozme, M.U. Ataturk Egitim
Fakultesi Egitim Bilimleri Dergisi, 13, 111-124.
Jackson, V., Stoel, L., & Brantley, A. (2011). Mall Attributes and Shopping Value:
Differences by Gender and Generational Cohort. Journal of Retailing and Consumer
Services, 18(1), 1-9.
Johnson, J. A. (2014). Measuring Thirty Facets of the Five Factor Model with a
120-Item Public Domain Inventory: Development of the IPIP-NEO-120. Journal of
Research in Personality, 51, 78-89. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2014.05.003.
Karahan, T. F. & Yalcin, B. M. (2009). The Effects of an Emotional Intelligence
Skills Training Program on the Emotional Intelligence Levels of Turkish University
Students. Egitim Arastirmalari-Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 36, 193-
208.
Kaya Ozcelik, P. (2011). 12 Eylul'u Anlamak. A.U. SBF Dergisi, 66 (1), 73-93.
Kong, H., Wang, S., & Fu, X. (2015). Meeting Career Expectation: Can It Enhance
Job Satisfaction of Generation Y? International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality
Management, 27 (1), 147-168.
Landy, F. J. & Conte, J. M. (2007). Work in the 21st Century an Introduction to
Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Blackwell Publishing. Second Edition.
Libbrecht, N., Lievens, F. & Schollaert, E. (2010). Measurement Equivalence of the
Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale Across Self and Other Ratings.
Educational and Psychological Measurement, 70 (6), 1007-1020. Doi:
10.1177/0013164410378090.
145
Volume 6 Number 1 Spring 2016
Guven Ordun, Asli Akun
Mayer, J. D., Salovey, P., & Caruso, D. R. (2004). Emotional intelligence: Theory,
Findings, and Implications. Psychological Inquiry, 197-215.
McCrae, R. R. (2002). Cross Cultural Research on the Five-Factor Model of
Personality. Cross-Cultural Research on the Five-Factor Model of Personality.
Online Readings in Psychology and Culture, 4 (4), 1-12.
http://dx.doi.org/10.9707/2307-0919.1038.
McCrae, R. R. & Costa, Jr, P. T. (1989). Reinterpreting the Myers-Briggs Type
Indicator from the Perspective of the Five-Factor Model of Personality. Journal of
Personality, 57 (1).
McCrae, R. R. & Costa Jr, P. T. (1997). Personality Trait Structure as a Human
Universal. American psychologist, 52 (5), 509.
McCrae, R. R. & Allik, J. (2002) The Factor Model of Personality Across Cultures.
Springer Science Business Media. Doi: 10.1007/978-1-4615-0763-5.
McCrae, R.R., Costa, P.T. Jr., & Martin, T. A. (2004). The NEO-PI-3: A More
Readable Revised NEO Personality Inventory. Journal of Personality Assessment, 84
(3), 261-270.
Mihelcea, A., Sãvulescu, R., & Vitelar, A. (2013). Generation Y: Between a Civic
and a Cultural European Identity. Romanian Journal of Communication and Public
Relations, 15, 2 (29), 61-75.
Nusair, K. K., Bilgihan, A., Okumus, F., & Cobanoglu, C. (2013). Generation Y
Travelers’ Commitment to Online Social Network Websites. Tourism Management,
35, 13-22.
Ordun, G. (2015). Millenial (Gen Y) Consumer Behavior, Their Shopping
Preferences and Perceptual Maps Associated with Brand Loyalty. Canadian Social
Science, 11 (4), 40-55, Doi: 10.3968/6697.
Ozcan, U. (2009). Some Observations on Changing Topics in Turkish Sociology
after 1980. Sosyoloji Dergisi, 3 (19), 227-236.
146 Journal of Economic and Social Studies
Personality Characteristics and Emotional Intelligence Levels of Millenials:
A Study in Turkish Context
A Self-Assessment Test for Congruence, Q Sort. Retrived from
http://www.ryerson.ca/~glassman/Qsort.html
Petrides, K. V., Pita, R., & Kokkinaki, F. (2007). The Location of Trait Emotional
Intelligence in Personality Factor Space. British Journal of Psychology, 98 (2), 273-
289.
Rogers, C. R. (1961). On Becoming a Person. A Therapist’s View of
Psychotheraphy. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Roper, G. & Gavranidou, M. (2003). Capacity Building in Trauma Therapy and
Trauma Research in Bosnia-Herzegovina. New Directions for Youth Development,
Wiley Periodicals Inc., 98, 99-110.
Salovey, P., & Mayer, J. D. (1990). Emotional Intelligence. Imagination, Cognition
and Personality, 9 (3), 185-211.
Strongman, K. T. (2003). The Psychology of Emotion. 5th Edition. John Wiley and
Sons, Ltd.
Sudak, M. K., & Zehir, C. (2013). Kisilik Tipleri, Duygusal Zekâ, Is Tatmini Iliskisi
Uzerine Yapilan Bir Arastirma. Yönetim Bilimleri Dergisi, 11 (22).
Sundberg, G. (2013). Language Policy and Multilingual Identity in Sweden
Through the Lens of Generation Y. Scandinavian Studies, 85 (2), 205-233.
Sahin, N. H., Guler, M., & Basim, H. N. (2009). A Tipi Kisilik Oruntusunde
Bilissel ve Duygusal Zekânın Stresle Basa Cikma ve Stres Belirtileri ile Iliskisi. Türk
Psikiyatri Dergisi, 20(3), 243-254.
Terrell, J. B. & Hughes, M. (2008). A Coach’s Guide to Emotional Intelligence.
Strategies for Developing Succesful Leaders. Pfeiffer Publish.
Twenge, J. M. (2009). Ben Nesli. 2. Baski. Kaknus Psikoloji. Translated by Esra
Ozturk.
Vieregge, M. & Quick, S. (2011). Cross-Cultural Negotiations Revisited. Cross
Cultural Management: An International Journal, 18 (3), 313-326.
147
Volume 6 Number 1 Spring 2016
Guven Ordun, Asli Akun
Wolf, M. M., Carpenter, S., & Qenani-Petrela, E. (2005). A Comparison of X, Y,
and Boomer Generation Wine Consumers in California. Journal of Food Distribution
Research 36(1), 186-191.
Wong, C. S., & Law, K. S. (2002). The Effects of Leader and Follower Emotional
Intelligence on Performance and Attitude: An Exploratory Study. Leadership
Quarterly, 13, 243-274.
Yuksekbilgili, Z. (2013). Turkish Type Y Generation. Electronic Journal of Social
Sciences, 12 (45), 342-353.
Yuksekbilgili, Z. (2015). The Age of Interval of Y Generation in Turkey. Electronic
Journal of Social Sciences, 14 (53), 259-267.
Zemke, R., Raines, C., & Filipczak, B. (2000). Genarations at Work. Managing the
Clash of Veterans, Boomers, Xers, and Nexters in Your Workplace. Performance
Research Associates, Inc.
i Libbrecht, N., Lievens, F. &Schollaert, E. (2010). Measurement Equivalence of the Wong
and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale Across Self and Other Ratings. Educational and
Psychological Measurement, 70 (6), 1007-1020.
ii McCrae, R. R. &Allik, J. (2002) The Factor Model of Personality Across Cultures. Springer
Science Business Media.
148 Journal of Economic and Social Studies
