Big Five Personality Traits and Locus of Control: Challenges and Uses in the Global South

Arnaud Natal and Christophe Nordman
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Arnaud Natal: BSE (University of Bordeaux, CNRS, and INRAE), French Institute of Pondicherry (IFP)

No DT/2026/03, Working Papers from DIAL (Développement, Institutions et Mondialisation)

Abstract: This paper examines the role of personality traits-specifically the Big Five and locus of control-in shaping economic outcomes in countries of the Global South. While such traits have been extensively studied in OECD contexts, they remain underexplored in Global South settings where most of the world’s population resides. The article reviews how personality traits are measured in diverse cultural contexts, their associations with economic outcomes, and the structural and individual-level factors that shape them. It also evaluates evidence on the effectiveness of interventions aimed at altering personality traits. Findings suggest that traits like conscientiousness, emotional stability, and an internal locus of control are positively linked to improved economic performance and adaptive behaviours, and that these traits are malleable to varying degrees. The paper concludes by highlighting policy implications and research priorities, including the need for longitudinal studies, culturally valid measurement tools, and integrated development strategies that address both psychological and structural determinants of well-being.

Keywords: Personality traits; Human capital; Labour market; Programmes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D14 D91 E24 J24 O12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 26 pages
Date: 2026-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-neu
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Working Paper: Big Five Personality Traits and Locus of Control: Challenges and Uses in the Global South (2026)
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