David Hope, Timothy Bates, Lars Penke, Alan Gow, John Starr and Ian Deary

Fluctuating asymmetry and personality

Personality and Individual Differences

The relationship between Fluctuating Asymmetry (FA) and personality can cast light on the fitness con sequences and selective benefits underlying personality However few studies have investigated the topic and these have rendered inconsistent findings Theoretically predicted relationships of FA to personality include linear associations and curvilinear associations (with low FA leading to average-not extreme-personality trait levels) Evidence for no association would suggest that personality has no consequences for general fitness We summarise the findings to date adding two new studies testing each of the hypothesised models with well-validated measures of FA and personality traits No consistent associations were found Though it remains possible that low FA is weakly related to conscientiousness and openness to experience the major personality domains seem unrelated to FA (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved