Book recommendation – Kibeom Lee, Michael C. Ashton – The H Factor of Personality

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Overview & central idea

In “The H Factor of Personality,” psychologists Kibeom Lee and Michael C. Ashton present their scientifically based HEXACO personality model—an extension of the well-known Big Five model. The focus is particularly on the H factor (honesty-humility), i.e., the dimension of honesty-modesty. The core thesis: This personality trait influences our behavior, our morals, and our interactions with others more than is often assumed.

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Structure & content

The book provides a generally understandable introduction to the six dimensions of the HEXACO model:

Honesty-Humility – Fairness, sincerity, modesty versus manipulation, greed, selfishness.
Emotionality – Anxiety, dependence, empathy.
Extraversion – Sociability, self-confidence, activity.
Agreeableness – Patience, forbearance, willingness to cooperate.
Conscientiousness – Orderliness, sense of duty, diligence.
Openness to Experience – Curiosity, creativity, interest in new ideas.

Key messages:

The H factor is morally decisive: people with a high H value act fairly, modestly, and cooperatively; people with a low H value tend to display narcissistic, manipulative, or Machiavellian traits.
Practical relevance: The H factor affects relationships, professional success, political attitudes, and even social trust.
Research & everyday life: Lee and Ashton combine scientific studies with easy-to-understand examples from everyday life and pop culture.

Style & readability

The book is deliberately not purely academic, but written in a way that is easy to understand. It combines research findings with entertaining illustrations and everyday stories.