Personality Traits and Individual Attitude toward the Independence–Unification Issue in Taiwan

Abstract

This study examines the effects of the Big Five personality traits on individual attitude toward the independence–unification issue in Taiwan. Using an original dataset, this study finds that extraversion and openness to experience are significantly associated with individual attitude toward the independence–unification issue. Specifically, a higher level of extraversion is associated with an increased likelihood of support for unification with China, whereas a higher level of openness to experience is associated with an increased likelihood of support for Taiwan independence. Moreover, higher levels of extraversion and openness to experience increase the likelihood of support for change in cross-strait relations. Also, there are no gender-differentiated effects of personality traits on individual attitude toward the independence–unification issue. Overall, this study concludes that personality traits can provide some explanatory power for individual attitude toward the independence–unification issue. Therefore, personality traits merit more serious attention in the analysis of Taiwanese peoples’ positions on cross-strait relations.