The HEXACO Model: Clinical Extensions and Universality

Abstract

Ashton and Lee propose eloquent arguments in favour of their HEXACO model of personality. We accept most arguments and suggest two relevant issues that require further work. We argue that there is a need for more work on how the HEXACO model could contribute to clinical psychology, especially the area of dimensional conceptualisations of personality disorders. We also have questions regarding the universality of factor structure and argue that research in personality psychology needs to take into account the full variation of humanity across cultures and time periods. © 2020 European Association of Personality Psychology Ashton and Lee grapple with the fundamental issue in personality psychology: the number of basic factors that underlie all personality differences. They present a compelling defence of and well–articulated arguments in favour of their HEXACO model, thoughtfully engaging with each critique raised by the literature and informal discourse. They argue that their model adds above and beyond the dominant Big Five personality traits and should be adopted as the primary conceptualisation of broad personality variation. We agree with most arguments and here outline two relevant issues that require further investigation. Show more