An Integrative Approach to the Prediction of Argumentativeness

Abstract

This study explored the extent to which demographics (age and level of education), the “Big Three,” (extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism), cognitive dispositions (locus of control and resilience), and social personal dispositions (Machiavellianism) combine to predict argumentativeness. Based on a representative sample of 877 participants from the United States, the results revealed that when taken together, previously established effects of some of these variables on attitude toward arguing are verified, although some are not consistent. Level of education and locus of control did not affect attitude toward approaching an argument as in the previous research. Implications for future research are discussed, with an emphasis on future research taking a more comprehensive approach to the study of communication.