The ability to work and socialise across different cultures is increasingly important in a globalised world. A new study suggests that how people respond to change in general may be a key factor in whether they develop the cultural skills needed to thrive in diverse environments. The research was published in The Journal of Psychology.
Researchers from universities in the United States and Saudi Arabia examined how different personality types relate to cultural intelligence, a term used to describe the ability to function effectively across cultural settings. Rather than relying on the well-known Big Five personality framework, the team focused on a newer model that categorises people according to how they approach change and how much control they seek over their surroundings.
The study identified four personality profiles: proactive, adaptive, passive, and change-resistant. Proactive individuals tend to take charge of new situations, while adaptive people adjust their own behaviour to fit their surroundings. Passive individuals go along with change reluctantly, and change-resistant people actively push back against it.
Across a sample of 261 university students in a multicultural setting in the southern United States, both proactive and adaptive personalities were linked to higher levels of cultural intelligence. Adaptive personality showed the strongest overall relationship, suggesting that people who adjust their thinking and behaviour to fit new contexts are particularly well placed to engage with different cultures. Change-resistant personality, by contrast, showed the most damaging effect on cultural intelligence, with passive personality having a weaker but still negative influence.
The findings build on earlier research that associated broad traits such as openness and extraversion with cultural competence. But the researchers argued that these broad descriptions often fail to capture the specific ways in which people regulate themselves when faced with cultural novelty. What matters, they suggest, is not simply whether someone is generally open-minded, but whether they actively adapt or actively resist when things are unfamiliar.
The team used a range of analytical techniques to explore the data more precisely. One approach, known as Necessary Condition Analysis, revealed that a baseline level of proactive personality appeared to function as a prerequisite for achieving high cultural intelligence. In other words, without some degree of initiative and engagement, even the most adaptable person may struggle to reach the highest levels of intercultural competence.
The study was conducted with students rather than working professionals, which means the findings may not translate directly to high-stakes international work environments such as expatriate assignments or global business roles. The researchers acknowledged this limitation and called for future studies using more diverse and professional samples.
For employers and educators, the findings point to the value of identifying personality profiles when placing people in culturally diverse roles. Encouraging initiative and flexibility, while providing structured opportunities for cultural learning, could help individuals with less adaptive tendencies develop greater cross-cultural competence over time.