Predicting the Big Two of Affect from the Big Five of Personality

This article reports a study (N = 217) predicting self-reported momentary affect from personality. Affect was described with a two-dimensional space that integrates various affect models including the valence/arousal and the positive affect/negative affect models. Three models of personality were compared: Extraversion and Neuroticism, the Five Factor Model (which adds Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Openness to Experience), and Digman's Alpha and Beta. Both linear and nonlinear (interaction and quadratic) effects were examined. Results favored the Five Factor Model. Nonlinear effects were small. Personality was not linked to affect in a way consistent with the claim that certain dimensions (Positive Affect and Negative Affect) are more basic; indeed, neuroticism was maximally correlated with the Pleasant versus Unpleasant axis rather than with Negative Affect.