Systematic review of research on the relationships between social intelligence and the BIG FIVE personality traits

Abstract

In this paper we conducted a systematic review of relationships between social intelligence and personality traits. Characteristics of the correlations between indices of social intelligence and personality traits were established based on the analysis of 66 studies, published in journals indexed in the Academic Search Complete, PsycINFO + PsycARTICLES, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, Web of Science and Scopus. The main analyzed variables represented type of publication, study design, type of groups studied and country of the study. First, the dimensions of social intelligence and personality traits of teachers and their influence on educational process were analyzed. Secondly, the role of social intelligence and personality traits in the level of teachers’ leadership, psychological resilience and managerial skills was investigated. Gender differences were also examined. The object of empirical research was found to be predominantly educational (pre-school, primary school, adolescent and youth age categories) and professional (teachers, military, medical personnel, managers and administrators) type of small groups. No studies whose samples represented pre-retirement and retirement age groups were found. Empirical data collection was mostly based on complex psycho-diagnostic methods including questionnaires, expert assessments, and self-reports. Analysis of the results was carried out by means of correlational analysis. A portion of the studies introduced recommendations on the development of social intelligence and effective use of personal characteristics.