ABSTRACT
Most modern concepts in psychology have roots in the past. Where and when can we locate the beginnings of psychological interest in the cluster of meanings associated with the Big Five factor of Conscientiousness? Without being comprehensive, we can cite the phrenologists of the 19th century who drew pictures of the brain with separate locations for such faculties as Cautiousness, Acquisitiveness, Constructiveness, Firmness, and Conscientiousness. Next, we recall Freud’s conception of the anal character as an early formulation of Conscientiousness (Freud, 1908/1941, 1908/1977). To quote from the English translation by Strachey:
The people I am about to describe are noteworthy for a regular combination of the three following characteristics. They are especially orderly, parsimonious and obstinate. Each of these words actually covers a small group or series of interrelated character-traits. “Orderly” covers the notion of bodily cleanliness, as well as of conscientiousness in carrying out small duties, and trustworthiness. Its opposite would be “untidy” and “neglectful.” (Freud, 1908/1977, p. 209)
The editor of the 1977 Pelican edition, Angela Richards, added a footnote to explain her choice of the word “orderly” to translate Freud’s original
ordentlich: “The original meaning of the word (ordentlich) is ‘orderly’; but it has become greatly extended in use. It can be the equivalent of such English terms as ‘correct,’ ‘tidy,’ ‘cleanly,’ ‘trustworthy,’ as well as ‘regular,’ ‘decent,’ and ‘proper,’ in the more colloquial senses of those words” (Freud, 1908/1977, p. 209, footnote).
