The role of conscientiousness in meeting psychological needs: A whole trait theory perspective

Abstract

According to whole trait theory (WTT; Fleeson & Jayawickreme, 2021), personality traits serve as a mechanism to fulfill goals, including satisfying basic psychological needs. Conscientiousness may be especially suited for satisfying such needs as it involves task and goal-directed behavior. Given that conscientiousness also includes the avoidance of negative behaviors, it may prevent the frustration of needs as well. Across two studies, we examined the usefulness of conscientiousness in predicting both need satisfaction and frustration. In study 1, we examined whether conscientiousness naturally predicts need satisfaction and need frustration at work, as well as workplace performance. In study 2, we assigned participants a task or a connection goal to determine if these goals would activate the associated personality traits and whether these traits would then increase the chances of satisfying specific psychological needs. Across both studies, conscientiousness was associated with increased need satisfaction and decreased need frustration. In study 1, conscientiousness was also associated with better workplace performance, both directly and indirectly through the needs. In study 2, conscientious goals were more likely to satisfy, and avoid frustrating, competence needs compared to social goals. We discuss the results considering whole trait and self-determination theory.