We all want to succeed. But it is clear that some have more drive than others. What makes an individual more careful, hard-working and responsible than other people — known as trait conscientiousness — at a fundamental level, largely remains a mystery. There is no one brain region we can point to, and two people brought up in the same environment can possess different levels of the trait. Social and existential psychologist, Jeff Greenberg, outlines the origins of conscientiousness, arguing psychoanalysis and fear of death may be key to explaining this mystery.

If you think about your friends, some of them are probably very careful, responsible, and hard-working. Others may not be. These characteristics comprise a trait known as “conscientiousness,” one of the five basic dimensions of personality. And research confirms that its prominence varies considerably from person to person. Studies also show that conscientiousness helps people achieve their goals, strongly correlates with academic grades, career success, and even health and longevity.

But mysteries regarding this trait have puzzled many for decades. If conscientiousness is so valuable, why isn’t everyone high in it? Why are some more conscientious than others? And if having low conscientiousness is so counterproductive, why was this not selected out by evolution? The answers are somewhat unexpected.

To tackle these questions, we must first consider its origins. Genes promoting this trait were likely selected over the course of evolution because conscientiousness contributes to success in achieving goals, serving one's survival, and the capacity to procreate and care for offspring. Indeed, studies of identical twins reared in separate homes suggest that about 50% of one’s level of conscientiousness is determined by one’s genes.  Specifically, identical twins reared in separate homes develop very similar levels of conscientiousness, while non-identical ones reared in separate homes do not. 

But conscientiousness is only one of a number of traits that can affect evolutionary fitness. Humans get their genes passed on to future generations in various ways. For example, over the course of human history, whilst some males have passed traits on through conscientious pursuit of resources, seeking of mates, and parenting; others have had their genes passed down through boldness, physical strength, and promiscuity. So people low in conscientiousness can get by as well. But it remains unclear whether being low in conscientiousness has been advantageous for some individuals or simply not an impediment because they have other attributes that make up for it.

___

They internalize these conscientious values and goals into what Freud called the superego and George Herbert Mead called the generalized other.

___

Just as genes affect conscientiousness, so does socialization. Children are motivated to stay in the good graces of their parents to sustain their love, protection, and approval. They try to learn how to be good boys and girls as they are taught what their parents view as good vs. bad behavior and worthy goals to pursue in life.

They internalize these conscientious values and goals into what Freud called the superego and George Herbert Mead called the generalized other, so they can be sure they are living up to parental expectations. The superego is an internal judge, based largely on one’s parents, that assesses how well one is meeting learned morals and progressing toward desired goals.

SUGGESTED VIEWING Better left unsaid With Peter York, Theodore Dalrymple, Simon Wessely, Vanessa King