Confucian ideal personality traits (Junzi personality): Exploration of psychological measurement

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1041.2021.01321

Abstract

Abstract:

Junzi personality is defined as ideal personality traits in Chinese culture (particularly Confucianism), and is a vital key in understanding Chinese cultural psychology. But there are few empirical researches on this variable. In the current study, we combined the theory analysis of classical texts and empirical analysis of psychological measurement. We collected all the Confucius’ statements about Junzi personality from the Analects of Confucius and utilized them to create a preliminary questionnaire. We conducted an exploratory factor analysis, two confirmatory factor analyses, and criteria-related validity analyses, and the total sample size was 1916. We explored the internal structure of Junzi personality in Confucius’ thought, and established the Inventory of Junzi Personality in Confucius’ Thought, which had good reliability and validity. The findings revealed that Junzi personality is composed of five factors: (A) wisdom, benevolence, and courage, (B) respectfulness and propriety, (C) conversancy with righteousness and cherishment of benign rule, (D) refraining from what should not be done, and (E) self-cultivation rather than contentions with others. Additionally, we examined the correlations of Junzi personality with the Big-Five personality, Chinese values, self-consistency and congruence, cooperative and competitive personality tendencies, and prosocial inclinations.

Key words: Junzi personality, Confucianism cultural psychology, Confucius, the Analects of Confucius, indigenous psychology

GE Xiaoyu, LI Xiaoming, HOU Yubo. (2021). Confucian ideal personality traits (Junzi personality): Exploration of psychological measurement. Acta Psychologica Sinica, 53(12), 1321-1334.

Figures/Tables 5

References 74

[1]	Brindley, E. (2009). “Why use an ox-cleaver to carve a chicken?” The sociology of the Junzi ideal in the Lunyu. Philosophy East and West, 59(1), 47-70. doi: 10.1353/pew.0.0033 URL
[2]	Carlo, G., & Randall, B. A. (2002). The development of a measure of prosocial behaviors for late adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 31(1), 31-44. doi: 10.1023/A:1014033032440 URL
[3]	Chang, S. (2015). On the feelings of original Confucianism from the view of Junzi in the Analects of Confucius. Social Sciences in Ningxia, (3), 186-189.
[4]	Chen, J., Wang, S., & Lu, Y. (2013). Research on correlations of mental health status and personality of post-90s college students. Journal of Shanghai Institute for Youth Management, (4), 36-38.
[5]	Chen, L. (2006). Traditionality and modernity: The vision of humanism. Beijing: Peking University Press.
[6]	Chen, L. (2011a). Reverting to tradition: The philosophy of Confucianism. Beijing: Beijing Normal University Press.
[7]	Chen, L. (2011b). Confucius and modern world. Beijing: Peking University Press.
[8]	Chen, L. (2015). The core values of Chinese civilization: Changes of sinology and traditional values. Beijing: SDX Joint Publishing Company.
[9]	Chen, L. (2017a). The world of thought and culture in ancient China: Religion, ethics and social thought in the Spring and Autumn period. Beijing: Peking University Press.
[10]	Chen, L. (2017b). Confucius, Mencius and Xuncius: The lectures of Pre-Qin Confucianism. Beijing: SDX Joint Publishing Company.
[11]	Chen, L. (2019). The theory of virtue in Confucianism. Beijing: SDX Joint Publishing Company.
[12]	Chen, L., Yang, L., Yang, Z., & Fang, X.(2011) A history of Confucianism in China: Volume of the Song and Yuan dynasties. Beijing: Peking University Press.
[13]	Corr, P. J., & Matthews, G.(2009). The Cambridge handbook of personality psychology. Cambridge University Press.
[14]	Cua, A. S. (2007). Virtues of Junzi. Journal of Chinese Philosophy, 34(s1), 125-142.
[15]	de Bary, W. T.(1991). The trouble with Confucianism. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
[16]	Deng, Q. (2001). The personality theory of Confucius and Mencius: Three great virtues (virtuousness, wisdom and boldness) and great men. Philosophical Research, (12), 50-55.
[17]	Du, Z. (1995). The Confucian ideal personality model in pre-Qin period. Guizhou Social Sciences, (6), 40-44.
[18]	Faul, F., Erdfelder, E., Buchner, A., & Lang, A.-G. (2009). Statistical power analyses using GPower 3.1: Tests for correlation and regression analyses. Behavior Research Methods*, 41(4), 1149-1160. doi: 10.3758/BRM.41.4.1149 URL
[19]	Ge, X. (2020). Oriental wisdom for interpersonal life: Confucian ideal personality traits (Junzi personality) predict positive interpersonal relationships. Journal of Research in Personality, 89, 104034. doi: 10.1016/j.jrp.2020.104034 URL
[20]	Ge, X. (2021). Multidimensional psychology of filial piety (xiao): Differences in orientation and changes from ancient to modern times. Acta Psychologica Sinica, 53(3), 306-321. doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2021.00306 URL
[21]	Ge, X., & Hou, Y.(2021). Confucian ideal personality traits (Junzi personality) and mental health: The serial mediating roles of self- control and authenticity. Acta Psychologica Sinica, 53(4), 374-386. doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2021.00374 URL
[22]	Guo, G. (1996). On Confucian ideal personality and its modern value. Jianghai Academic Journal, (4), 91-95.
[23]	Guo, Z. (1989). A preliminary study on Confucius’ view of perfect personality. Journal of Northeast Normal University (Philosophy and Social Sciences), (2), 12-18.
[24]	Hu, J., & Huang, X. (2009). Junzi: The ideal Confucian personality. Journal of Southwest University (Social Sciences Edition), 35(4), 7-11.
[25]	Huang, X. (2017). Thinking on Chinanization of personality research. Journal of Psychological Science, 40(6), 1518-1523.
[26]	Huang, Y., & Wang, F. (2013). “Jun Zi” personality: Traits and the path of cultivation presented by Zhou Yi. Psychological Exploration, 33(2), 99-104.
[27]	Jing, H. (2007). Confucian personality structure and psychological extension. Modern Philosophy, (5), 48-56.
[28]	John, O. P., Naumann, L. P., & Soto, C. J.(2008). Paradigm Shift to the Integrative Big-Five Trait Taxonomy: History, Measurement, and Conceptual Issues. In O. P. John, R. W. Robins, & L. A. Pervin (Eds.), Handbook of personality: Theory and research (pp. 114-158) New York, NY: Guilford Press.
[29]	Li, C. (2011). A new theory on the connotation of Confucian Junzi. Jiangxi Social Sciences, (10), 38-42.
[30]	Li, C. (1996). Connotation and modern value of Confucius Junzi personality. Jiangxi Social Sciences, (3), 8-12.
[31]	Li, H. (2011). Exploration of Confucius’ theory of Junzi. Journal of Sun Yat-sen University (Social Science Edition), 51(1), 132-137.
[32]	Li, K., & Wang, F. (2018). What is the human mind? Views of the mind of the new Confucians. Journal of Psychological Science, (6), 1524-1529.
[33]	Li, L. (1996). The construction of personality in Zhouyi. Studies of Zhouyi, (2), 53-61.
[34]	Liang, G. (2008). Confucius’ opinions on the personality of man of honor. Qilu Journal, (5), 5-11.
[35]	Liang, Q. (2014). Brief history on the studies of Chinese ancient civilization. Beijing: The Commercial Press.
[36]	Liang, S. (2005). Was there ever rural autonomy in China?. In The fifth volume of complete works of Liang Shuming. Ji’nan: Shandong People Press.
[37]	Liu, H. (2005). Elementary Discussion on the Ideal Personality of Confucianism. Social Science Front, (4), 229-233.
[38]	Lu, S. (2008). On the gentleman’s personality and the viliain’s personality (Unpublished master’s thesis). Nanjing Normal University.
[39]	Markus, H., & Kitayama, S. (1998). The cultural psychology of personality. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 29(1), 63-87. doi: 10.1177/0022022198291004 URL
[40]	Meng, Y., Li, C., & Jiang, B. (2008). Implicit Structure of Junzi’s Feature. Psychological Research, 1(5), 36-41.
[41]	Peng, G. (2009). The significance of Junzi and the dilemma of Confucianism. Dushu, (6), 72-79.
[42]	Peng, Q. (1996). On Confucius’ ideal personality design. Journal of Social Science of Hunan Normal University, (1), 42-44.
[43]	Peng, W. (1993). On the core of Confucius’ ideal personality. Nanjing Journal of Social Sciences, (3), 102-104.
[44]	Qian, M. (2002). New interpretation of the Analects of Confucius. Beijing: SDX Joint Publishing Company.
[45]	Qian, M. (2011). Paraphrasis of the Four Books. Beijing: Jiuzhou Press.
[46]	Tang, Q. (2000). On Confucius’ doctrine of morality and personality. Journal of Shanghai Teachers University (Social Science), 29(4), 8-15.
[47]	Tang, Y. (2009). Ten commentaries on Confucianism and other five treatises. Beijing: Peking University Press.
[48]	The Chinese Culture Connection. (1987). Chinese values and the search for culture-free dimensions of culture. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 18(2), 143-164. doi: 10.1177/0022002187018002002 URL
[49]	Tskhay, K. O., Zhu, R., Zou, C., & Rule, N. O. (2018). Charisma in everyday life: Conceptualization and validation of the general charisma inventory. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 114(1), 131-152. doi: 10.1037/pspp0000159 URL
[50]	Tu, Y., & Guo, Y. (2016). Development of Taoism personality item version scale and its rethought. Chinese Social Psychological Review, 11(2), 24-44.
[51]	Wang, B. (2011). A history of Confucianism in China: Volume of pre-Qin period. Beijing: Peking University Press.
[52]	Wang, D. (1994). Establishment of self-consistency and congruence scale. Chinese Journal of Clinical Psychology, (1), 19-22.
[53]	Wang, D., & Cui, H. (2007). A predictive research on psychosomatic symptoms with personality dimensions, self-experience inconsistency, and behavior inhibition. Acta Psychologica Sinica, 39(5), 861-872.
[54]	Wang, D., & Cui, H. (2008). An extension of etic-emic hypothesis of Chinese-Western personality constructs: Evidences from QZPS and NEO PI-R. Acta Psychologica Sinica, 40(3), 327-338. doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2008.00327 URL
[55]	Wang, F., & Zheng, H. (2008). Confucius’ thirteen standards defining personality of Junzi and personality of the mean man. Morality and Civilization, (4), 46-51.
[56]	Wang, G. (1989). On Junzi: Analysis of ideal personality of Confucius, Mencius and Xuncius. Confucius Studies, (4), 49-56.
[57]	Watson, B. (Tran.).(2007). The Analects of Confucius. New York: Columbia University Press.
[58]	Wei, X., & Chen, X. (2010). Prosocial tendencies and its relationship to personalities and family functioning among the left-home kids in junior middle school. Psychological Development and Education, 26(4), 68-74.
[59]	Xiao, Q., & Zhang, Y. (2005). Junzi personality: The soul of the Analects of Confucius. Jianghuai Tribune, 214(06), 148-151.
[60]	Xie, X., Yu, Y., Chen, X., & Chen, X. (2006). The measurement of cooperative and competitive personality. Acta Psychologica Sinica, 38(1), 116-125.
[61]	Xu, S., & Zhang, J. (2010). Exploration on the personality structure of a man of noble character and integrity of Confucianist. Educational Research, (8), 90-96.
[62]	Xu, X. (1995). On the differences of personality thoughts of Confucius and Mencius and their different influences. Seeker, (3), 72-77.
[63]	Yan, G., & Liu, T. (2005). The traditional five-fact or personality theory of ancient China. Journal of Psychological Science, 28(4), 780-783.
[64]	Yang, B. (Translator & annotator).(2006). Translations and annotations of the Analects of Confucius. Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company.
[65]	Yang, L. (2015). Fifteen lectures on Neo-Confucianism in the Song and Ming dynasties. Beijing: Peking University Press.
[66]	Yang, L. (2017). Solving the problem of philosophy and times: On Neo-Confucianism in the Northern Song dynasty. The Forum of Leadership Science, (6), 56-68.
[67]	Yang, L. (2018). One origin and endless changes: Essentials of monism of principles. Beijing: ESDX Joint Publishing Company.
[68]	Yang, L. (2019a). Character of this-worldliness and civilization of knowing the point where to rest. Journal of the Central Institute of Socialism, (2), 77-80.
[69]	Yang, L. (2019b). Fifteen lectures on Chinese philosophy. Beijing: Peking University Press.
[70]	Yu, C., & Bian, L. (1997). The view of Junzi in the Book of Changes. Studies of Zhouyi, (4), 62-65.
[71]	Yu, F. (1999). On Junzi personality cultivation in Confucius’ thought. Qilu Journal, (4), 51-53.
[72]	Zhang, H. (1987). In Academic Committee of Confucius Foundation of China (Ed.), Selected treatises of researches on Confucius in the past forty years (pp. 289-330). Jinan,China: Shandong Qilu Press.
[73]	Zhou, H., & Long, L. (2004). Statistical remedies for common method biases. Advances in Psychological Science, 12(6), 942-950.
[74]	Zhu, X. (Compiler). (2011). The Chapter Variorum of the Four Books. Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company.

Object	Benevolence	Righteo-usness	Propriety	Wisdom	Self- improvement	Moderat-ion	Honesty	Loyalty and filial piety	Courage	Humility	Balance of outward grace and solid worth	Words and deeds	Harmony in diversity	Others	Researc-hers	Year
Perfect personality (Confucius)	Benev-olence	Righteo-usness	Return to propriety and benevolence			Moderat-ion									Guo	1989
Junzi personality (Confucianism)		Righteo-usness			Making unremitting efforts to perfect the self			Filial piety and loyalty						Daily examining the self on three points	Wang	1989
Ideal personality (Confucius)	Benev-olence	Righteo-usness	Propriety												Peng	1993
Junzi personality (pre-Qin Confucianism)	Benev-olence				Perseverance and self-improvement	Moderat-ion		Loyalty and forgiveness			Balance of outward grace and solid worth			Unconquerable will; governing and benefiting the people; dedication	Du	1995
Junzi personality (Confucius)										Humility				Kindliness; carefulness; docility	Xu	1995
Ideal personality (Confucius)						Moderat-ion								Will of benevolence and righteousness; the combination of benevolence, wisdom, and courage	Peng	1996
Junzi personality (Confucianism)		Righteo-usness			Making unremitting efforts to perfect the self									Being contented in poverty and devoted to things spiritual; magnanimity and toleration	Guo	1996
Junzi personality (Confucius)		Righteousness	Propriety and abiding by the law		Making unremitting efforts to perfect the self	Moderation						Diligent in duties and careful in speech		Concern consciousness; disciplining oneself and supporting others; sticking to moral integrity	Li	1996
Junzi personality (the Book of Changes)					Making unremitting efforts to perfect the self					Humility		Not empty in speech, but steadfast in action		Beshame-sensitive; repressing evil and encouraging good	Li	1996
Junzi personality (the Book of Changes)				Knowing the subtle signs that things are changing	Self-improvement	Moderation and justice				Humility					Yu & Bian	1997
Junzi personality (Confucius)	Benevolence	Righteousness	Propriety											Setting mind on truth	Yu	1999
Moral personality (Confucius)				Wisdom			Honesty	Loyalty and filial piety							Tang	2000
Perfect personality (Confucius)	Benevolence			Wisdom					Courage						Deng	2001
Object	Benevolence	Righteo-usness	Propriety	Wisdom	Self- improvement	Moderat-ion	Honesty	Loyalty and filial piety	Courage	Humility	Balance of outward grace and solid worth	Words and deeds	Harmony in diversity	Others	Researc-hers	Year
Junzi personality (the Analects of Confucius)	Benevolence		Propriety					Loyalty and forgIveness				Action concurrent with words			Xiao & Zhang	2005
Junzi personality (Confucianism)												Prioritizing deeds		Setting mind on truth; prioritizing morality; prioritizing responsibility	Liu	2005
Traditional five- factor personality	Benevolence	Righteousness	Propriety	Wisdom			Honesty								Yan & Liu	2005
Junzi personality (Confucianism)	Benevolence		Propriety	Wisdom											Jing	2007
Junzi personality (Confucius)	Benevolence	Righteousness	Propriety	Wisdom	Self-improvement	Moderat-ion	Honesty	Loyalty and forgiveness	Courage	Humility	Balance of outward grace and solid worth		Harmony in diversity		Wang & Zheng	2008
Junzi personality (Confucius)	Benevolence	Righteousness	Propriety	Wisdom	Making unremitting efforts to perfect the self	Moderat-ion	Loyalty and honesty		Courage		Balance of outward grace and solid worth		Harmony in diversity		Liang	2008
Junzi personality (Confucius)	Benevolence	Righteousness	Propriety	Wisdom	Making unremitting efforts to perfect the self	Moderation	Honesty								Hu & Huang	2009
Junzi personality (the Analects of Confucius)		Righteousness	Respectfulness and propriety								Balance of outward grace and solid worth	Action concurrent with words	Harmony in diversity	Willingness to learn; self- esteem; broad-minded; holding on even to death in order to perfect one’s virtue; being adaptable to changing circumstances	Li	2011
Junzi personality (the Book of Changes)	Benevolence	Justice	Propriety	Knowing the subtle signs that things are changing	Self-improvement		Honesty		Courage	Humility				Perseverance; carefulness	Huang & Wang	2013
Junzi personality (the Analects of Confucius)	Benev-olence	Righteousness	Propriety											Being content with what one is	Chang	2015
Counts	14	13	13	10	10	8	6	5	5	5	4	5	3

Object	Benevolence	Righteo-usness	Propriety	Wisdom	Self- improvement	Moderat-ion	Honesty	Loyalty and filial piety	Courage	Humility	Balance of outward grace and solid worth	Words and deeds	Harmony in diversity	Others	Researc-hers	Year
Perfect personality (Confucius)	Benev-olence	Righteo-usness	Return to propriety and benevolence			Moderat-ion									Guo	1989
Junzi personality (Confucianism)		Righteo-usness			Making unremitting efforts to perfect the self			Filial piety and loyalty						Daily examining the self on three points	Wang	1989
Ideal personality (Confucius)	Benev-olence	Righteo-usness	Propriety												Peng	1993
Junzi personality (pre-Qin Confucianism)	Benev-olence				Perseverance and self-improvement	Moderat-ion		Loyalty and forgiveness			Balance of outward grace and solid worth			Unconquerable will; governing and benefiting the people; dedication	Du	1995
Junzi personality (Confucius)										Humility				Kindliness; carefulness; docility	Xu	1995
Ideal personality (Confucius)						Moderat-ion								Will of benevolence and righteousness; the combination of benevolence, wisdom, and courage	Peng	1996
Junzi personality (Confucianism)		Righteo-usness			Making unremitting efforts to perfect the self									Being contented in poverty and devoted to things spiritual; magnanimity and toleration	Guo	1996
Junzi personality (Confucius)		Righteousness	Propriety and abiding by the law		Making unremitting efforts to perfect the self	Moderation						Diligent in duties and careful in speech		Concern consciousness; disciplining oneself and supporting others; sticking to moral integrity	Li	1996
Junzi personality (the Book of Changes)					Making unremitting efforts to perfect the self					Humility		Not empty in speech, but steadfast in action		Beshame-sensitive; repressing evil and encouraging good	Li	1996
Junzi personality (the Book of Changes)				Knowing the subtle signs that things are changing	Self-improvement	Moderation and justice				Humility					Yu & Bian	1997
Junzi personality (Confucius)	Benevolence	Righteousness	Propriety											Setting mind on truth	Yu	1999
Moral personality (Confucius)				Wisdom			Honesty	Loyalty and filial piety							Tang	2000
Perfect personality (Confucius)	Benevolence			Wisdom					Courage						Deng	2001
Object	Benevolence	Righteo-usness	Propriety	Wisdom	Self- improvement	Moderat-ion	Honesty	Loyalty and filial piety	Courage	Humility	Balance of outward grace and solid worth	Words and deeds	Harmony in diversity	Others	Researc-hers	Year
Junzi personality (the Analects of Confucius)	Benevolence		Propriety					Loyalty and forgIveness				Action concurrent with words			Xiao & Zhang	2005
Junzi personality (Confucianism)												Prioritizing deeds		Setting mind on truth; prioritizing morality; prioritizing responsibility	Liu	2005
Traditional five- factor personality	Benevolence	Righteousness	Propriety	Wisdom			Honesty								Yan & Liu	2005
Junzi personality (Confucianism)	Benevolence		Propriety	Wisdom											Jing	2007
Junzi personality (Confucius)	Benevolence	Righteousness	Propriety	Wisdom	Self-improvement	Moderat-ion	Honesty	Loyalty and forgiveness	Courage	Humility	Balance of outward grace and solid worth		Harmony in diversity		Wang & Zheng	2008
Junzi personality (Confucius)	Benevolence	Righteousness	Propriety	Wisdom	Making unremitting efforts to perfect the self	Moderat-ion	Loyalty and honesty		Courage		Balance of outward grace and solid worth		Harmony in diversity		Liang	2008
Junzi personality (Confucius)	Benevolence	Righteousness	Propriety	Wisdom	Making unremitting efforts to perfect the self	Moderation	Honesty								Hu & Huang	2009
Junzi personality (the Analects of Confucius)		Righteousness	Respectfulness and propriety								Balance of outward grace and solid worth	Action concurrent with words	Harmony in diversity	Willingness to learn; self- esteem; broad-minded; holding on even to death in order to perfect one’s virtue; being adaptable to changing circumstances	Li	2011
Junzi personality (the Book of Changes)	Benevolence	Justice	Propriety	Knowing the subtle signs that things are changing	Self-improvement		Honesty		Courage	Humility				Perseverance; carefulness	Huang & Wang	2013
Junzi personality (the Analects of Confucius)	Benev-olence	Righteousness	Propriety											Being content with what one is	Chang	2015
Counts	14	13	13	10	10	8	6	5	5	5	4	5	3

Items	Wisdom, benevolence, and courage	Respectfulness and propriety	Conversancy with righteousness and cherishment of benign rule	Refraining from what should not be done	Self-cultivation rather than contentions with others	Communalities
1. I can handle people and things in life with wisdom and do not feel confused.	0.87	-0.10	0.02	0.05	-0.06	0.64
2. I can face the challenges from people and things in life with courage and do not feel scared.	0.83	0.01	-0.04	-0.05	-0.10	0.59
3. I always know what I should do no matter what difficulty I am confronting.	0.74	0.04	-0.01	-0.05	-0.07	0.54
4. I am broad-minded and composed and can handle various people and things at ease.	0.66	-0.08	-0.04	-0.04	0.19	0.50
5. Because I am sincere and always conduct myself with dignity, I am respected in the group I belong to.	0.64	0.06	0.08	0.08	-0.13	0.43
6. I can feel the positive factors in life and do not feel worried.	0.59	0.02	0.14	0.13	-0.04	0.44
7. I am the same as the others in dealing with trivial matters, but I can better shoulder responsibilities when it comes to big deals.	0.57	0.15	-0.04	-0.03	0.02	0.44
8. My inner world is identical with how I behave.	0.45	0.17	-0.05	0.03	0.12	0.38
9. I behave in accordance with the social norms.	-0.10	0.95	-0.07	0.09	-0.07	0.63
10. I respect the social norms when handling things.	0.08	0.81	-0.01	0.15	-0.18	0.53
11. I am always humble and respectful to others.	0.05	0.56	-0.03	-0.01	0.22	0.54
12. I think that the maxims of the ancient sages are worth our awe.	0.05	0.53	-0.01	0.06	0.07	0.34
13. I can always maintain a kind and benevolent attitude toward others.	0.06	0.48	0.20	-0.03	0.11	0.54
14. I can get along with others.	0.23	0.44	-0.14	-0.09	0.15	0.44
15. I always settle affairs with an honest attitude.	0.17	0.40	0.13	-0.17	0.07	0.52
16. I am better at making decisions based on what is righteous rather than on what would profit me.	-0.16	-0.10	0.83	0.03	0.13	0.59
17. I value more abstract things such as morality and virtue than wealth and interests.	0.04	-0.10	0.81	0.04	-0.07	0.55
18. I would prioritize the pursuit of a virtuous life over that of a fixed settlement.	0.02	0.00	0.59	-0.03	-0.02	0.36
19. Righteousness is my tenet when I am dealing with things.	0.06	0.08	0.54	0.01	0.08	0.44
20. I focus more on morality and justice than on food and clothing.	0.17	0.05	0.52	0.08	0.02	0.43
21. I adhered to my loyalty toward morality, even in the midst of hardship.	0.13	0.12	0.41	-0.24	0.00	0.44
22. I Would be happy even if people who work for me please me in an improper way. (Reversed.)	0.03	-0.04	-0.07	0.71	0.15	0.49
23. When confronted with a choice of interest, I would not be concerned if I violate the law, as long as I am benefited. (Reversed.)	0.25	-0.26	-0.05	0.66	0.05	0.57
24. I Think problems in life are often caused by others. (Reversed.)	0.00	0.09	0.18	0.63	-0.16	0.42
25. If someone tries to do something bad, I think it is acceptable to unconditionally let him or her accomplish the goal. (Reversed.)	0.03	-0.19	-0.03	0.63	0.08	0.47
26. I would think of someone as a nice person if he or she makes good remarks. (Reversed.)	0.04	0.23	-0.04	0.59	0.03	0.33
27. I would change my opinion to be consistent with those of others and cater to others. (Reversed.)	-0.24	0.35	0.04	0.58	-0.01	0.30
28. I am humble, respectful, and dislike having contentions with others.	-0.20	-0.01	0.08	0.13	0.86	0.61
29. I would rather place stricter standards on myself than make comparisons with others in terms of competence.	0.13	-0.04	0.02	-0.08	0.62	0.50
30. I am calm, composed, and never become arrogant.	0.20	0.16	-0.03	-0.01	0.41	0.41
Rotated Eigenvalue	6.64	6.59	5.29	2.99	4.96
Variance Explained	29.5%	10.8%	6.5%	5.6%	3.9%	56.3%
Cronbach’s α	0.88	0.86	0.82	0.78	0.71

Items	Wisdom, benevolence, and courage	Respectfulness and propriety	Conversancy with righteousness and cherishment of benign rule	Refraining from what should not be done	Self-cultivation rather than contentions with others	Communalities
1. I can handle people and things in life with wisdom and do not feel confused.	0.87	-0.10	0.02	0.05	-0.06	0.64
2. I can face the challenges from people and things in life with courage and do not feel scared.	0.83	0.01	-0.04	-0.05	-0.10	0.59
3. I always know what I should do no matter what difficulty I am confronting.	0.74	0.04	-0.01	-0.05	-0.07	0.54
4. I am broad-minded and composed and can handle various people and things at ease.	0.66	-0.08	-0.04	-0.04	0.19	0.50
5. Because I am sincere and always conduct myself with dignity, I am respected in the group I belong to.	0.64	0.06	0.08	0.08	-0.13	0.43
6. I can feel the positive factors in life and do not feel worried.	0.59	0.02	0.14	0.13	-0.04	0.44
7. I am the same as the others in dealing with trivial matters, but I can better shoulder responsibilities when it comes to big deals.	0.57	0.15	-0.04	-0.03	0.02	0.44
8. My inner world is identical with how I behave.	0.45	0.17	-0.05	0.03	0.12	0.38
9. I behave in accordance with the social norms.	-0.10	0.95	-0.07	0.09	-0.07	0.63
10. I respect the social norms when handling things.	0.08	0.81	-0.01	0.15	-0.18	0.53
11. I am always humble and respectful to others.	0.05	0.56	-0.03	-0.01	0.22	0.54
12. I think that the maxims of the ancient sages are worth our awe.	0.05	0.53	-0.01	0.06	0.07	0.34
13. I can always maintain a kind and benevolent attitude toward others.	0.06	0.48	0.20	-0.03	0.11	0.54
14. I can get along with others.	0.23	0.44	-0.14	-0.09	0.15	0.44
15. I always settle affairs with an honest attitude.	0.17	0.40	0.13	-0.17	0.07	0.52
16. I am better at making decisions based on what is righteous rather than on what would profit me.	-0.16	-0.10	0.83	0.03	0.13	0.59
17. I value more abstract things such as morality and virtue than wealth and interests.	0.04	-0.10	0.81	0.04	-0.07	0.55
18. I would prioritize the pursuit of a virtuous life over that of a fixed settlement.	0.02	0.00	0.59	-0.03	-0.02	0.36
19. Righteousness is my tenet when I am dealing with things.	0.06	0.08	0.54	0.01	0.08	0.44
20. I focus more on morality and justice than on food and clothing.	0.17	0.05	0.52	0.08	0.02	0.43
21. I adhered to my loyalty toward morality, even in the midst of hardship.	0.13	0.12	0.41	-0.24	0.00	0.44
22. I Would be happy even if people who work for me please me in an improper way. (Reversed.)	0.03	-0.04	-0.07	0.71	0.15	0.49
23. When confronted with a choice of interest, I would not be concerned if I violate the law, as long as I am benefited. (Reversed.)	0.25	-0.26	-0.05	0.66	0.05	0.57
24. I Think problems in life are often caused by others. (Reversed.)	0.00	0.09	0.18	0.63	-0.16	0.42
25. If someone tries to do something bad, I think it is acceptable to unconditionally let him or her accomplish the goal. (Reversed.)	0.03	-0.19	-0.03	0.63	0.08	0.47
26. I would think of someone as a nice person if he or she makes good remarks. (Reversed.)	0.04	0.23	-0.04	0.59	0.03	0.33
27. I would change my opinion to be consistent with those of others and cater to others. (Reversed.)	-0.24	0.35	0.04	0.58	-0.01	0.30
28. I am humble, respectful, and dislike having contentions with others.	-0.20	-0.01	0.08	0.13	0.86	0.61
29. I would rather place stricter standards on myself than make comparisons with others in terms of competence.	0.13	-0.04	0.02	-0.08	0.62	0.50
30. I am calm, composed, and never become arrogant.	0.20	0.16	-0.03	-0.01	0.41	0.41
Rotated Eigenvalue	6.64	6.59	5.29	2.99	4.96
Variance Explained	29.5%	10.8%	6.5%	5.6%	3.9%	56.3%
Cronbach’s α	0.88	0.86	0.82	0.78	0.71

Samples	Models	χ²	df	χ²/df	GFI	RMSEA	RMR	CFI	NFI	NNFI	TLI	IFI	Minimum of standardized loadings	Minimum of AVE
Sample 1	Five-factor model	859.86^***	395	2.18	0.85	0.06	0.07	0.93	0.88	0.92	0.92	0.93	0.75	0.59
Sample 1	Four-factor model	1469.17^***	399	3.68	0.77	0.09	0.14	0.84	0.79	0.82	0.82	0.84	0.21	0.50
Sample 1	Three-factor model	2632.28^***	402	6.55	0.56	0.13	0.24	0.66	0.62	0.63	0.63	0.66	0.21	0.30
Sample 2	Five-factor model	1415.47^***	395	3.58	0.88	0.06	0.12	0.93	0.90	0.92	0.92	0.93	0.72	0.57
Sample 2	Four-factor model	2592.85^***	399	6.50	0.78	0.09	0.38	0.84	0.82	0.83	0.83	0.84	0.04	0.52
Sample 2	Three-factor model	3820.89^***	402	9.51	0.64	0.11	0.40	0.75	0.73	0.73	0.73	0.75	0.04	0.51