Openness/Intellect in a 50-Item IPIP Instrument

The M5-50 is a five-factor theory instrument based on the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP) that has had difficulties with the five-factor model fitting well. The openness domain's factor structure has a history of concerns that might relate to the connected yet distinguishable facets of openness/intellect. This study explored the factor structure and interdomain correlations within the openness domain of the M5-50 in 255 college students. Results indicate that no significant interdomain correlations exist between Openness and the other M5-50 domains. In addition, results suggest that having one factor convey the aspects of the openness domain construct does not explain the structure of the domain as well as a three-factor solution; the three-factor solution in the M5-50 includes commonalities to the distinct IPIP facets of artistic interests and intellect while the third factor demonstrates less emergent facets of the domain. Implications of the findings include a suggested review of the openness domain in the M5-50 and interpretations of openness/intellect in vocational settings.