The dark side of workplace personality : examining the relationship between Horney's neurotic needs, self-esteem and the High Potential Trait Indicator (HPTI)

Abstract

This exploratory study examined demographic, self-esteem, and work-personality correlates of a measure of Horney's Neurotic Needs : Moving away (Detachment), moving against (Aggression), and moving toward (Compliance) others. In all, 319 adults completed the Horney-Coolidge Tri-dimensional Inventory (HCTI), High Potential Trait Indicator (HPTI), and a short measure of self-esteem. The internal reliability of all main factors was satisfactory. Correlational analysis at the factor level showed that none of the Horney scales were significantly correlated with conscientiousness, but all were negatively correlated with adjustment. With the six HPTI traits as the criterion variable, demographics, self-esteem, and the three Horney factors were entered as predictor variables. All regressions significantly explained between a tenth and a quarter of the variance. The analyses of traits adjustment, risk approach and competitiveness accounted for most of the variance. The analysis was repeated using the nine Horney facets. The results suggested that the three Horney traits could be considered “dark-side” variables and a useful measure of personality in applied settings.