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Abstract
Openness to Experience is one of the five core traits comprising the Five Factor Model of personality. However, scholars have yet to agree on a clear definition of Openness, as evidenced by a proliferation of models examining the trait’s lower-level structures (McCrae & Sutin, 2009; Saucier & Iurino, 2020). The goal of this thesis is to reconcile different conceptualizations of Openness and better clarify the structure and core facets of the construct. Participants (N = 669; 57% female; 77% White; Mage = 25-34) completed 334 items from scales measuring Openness and other related constructs. I applied Goldberg’s (2006) Bass-Ackwards factor analytic approach to identify the unfolding facet structure of Openness. A 10-factor solution emerged and was identified as most appropriate. The identified domain and facets of Openness were correlated with a diverse set of external variables (cognitive ability, Need for Cognition, Typical Intellectual Engagement), establishing construct validity across the structure.