BIG-5 MODEL OF PERSONALITY

Numerous contemporary personality psychologists consider that there are five indispensable magnitudes of personality that affects a person’s individuality, often referred to as the “Big 5” personality traits. The five expansive personality traits described by the theory are extraversion, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism. It is one of the widely accepted model of personality in which all the personality traits was reduced to 5 major traits.

Trait theory of personality has extended attempts to brooch down precisely how many personality traits subsist. Earlier theories have suggested a various number of possible traits, including Gordon Allport’s list of 4,000 personality traits, Raymond Cattell’s 16 personality factors, and Hans Eysenck’s three-factor theory.

However, many researchers felt that Cattell’s theory was too complicated and Eysenck’s was too limited in scope. As a result, the five-factor theory emerged to describe the essential traits that serve as the building blocks of personality.

Nowadays, numerous researchers believe that they are five core personality traits. Substantiation of this theory has been mounting for many years, commencement with the research of D. W. Fiske (1949) and later expanded upon by other researchers including Norman (1967), Smith (1967), Goldberg (1981), and McCrae & Costa (1987).

It is important to note that each of the five personality factors represents a range between two extremes. For example, extraversion represents a continuum between extreme extraversion and extreme introversion. In the real world, most people lie somewhere in between the two polar ends of each dimension.

The five categories of the big 5 model are described as follows,

Openness

This trait features distinctiveness such as imagination and insight. Individuals who have high in openness trait tend to have a extensive range of interests. They are curious as regards to the world and other people and eager to learn new things and enjoy new experiences.

People who are high in this trait tend to be more adventurous and creative. People low in this trait are often much more traditional and may struggle with abstract thinking.

High

• Very creative
• Open to trying new things
• Focused on tackling new challenges
• Happy to think about abstract concepts

Low

• Dislikes change
• Does not enjoy new things
• Resists new ideas
• Not very imaginative
• Dislikes abstract or theoretical concepts

Conscientiousness

Standard features of this dimension include high levels of thoughtfulness, good impulse control, and goal-directed behaviors. Highly conscientious people tend to be organized and mindful of details. They plan ahead, think about how their behavior affects others, and are mindful of deadlines.

High

• Spends time preparing
• Finishes important tasks right away
• Pays attention to detail
• Enjoys having a set schedule

Low

· Dislikes structure and schedules

· Makes messes and doesn’t take care of things

· Fails to return things or put them back where they belong

· Procrastinates important tasks

· Fails to complete necessary or assigned tasks

Extraversion

Extraversion is characterized by excitability, sociability, talkativeness, assertiveness, and high amounts of emotional expressiveness. People who are high in extraversion are outgoing and tend to gain energy in social situations. Being around other people helps they feel energized and excited.

People who are low in extraversion (or introverted) tend to be more reserved and have to expend energy in social settings. Social events can feel draining and introverts often require a period of solitude and quiet in order to “recharge.”

High

• Enjoys being the center of attention
• Likes to start conversations
• Enjoys meeting new people
• Has a wide social circle of friends and acquaintances
• Finds it easy to make new friends
• Feels energized when around other people
• Say things before thinking about them

Low

· Prefers solitude

• Feels exhausted when having to socialize a lot
• Finds it difficult to start conversations
• Dislikes making small talk
• Carefully thinks things through before speaking
• Dislikes being the center of attention

Agreeableness

This personality dimension includes attributes such as trust, altruism, kindness, affection, and other pro social behaviors. People who are high in agreeableness tend to be more cooperative while those low in this trait tend to be more competitive and sometimes even manipulative.

High

• Has a great deal of interest in other people
• Cares about others
• Feels empathy and concern for other people
• Enjoys helping and contributing to the happiness of other people
• Assists others who are in need of help

Low

• Takes little interest in others
• Doesn’t care about how other people feel
• Has little interest in other people’s problems
• Insults and belittles others
• Manipulates others to get what they want

Neuroticism

Neuroticism is a trait characterized by sadness, moodiness, and emotional instability. Individuals who are high in this trait tend to experience mood swings, anxiety, irritability, and sadness. Those low in this trait tend to be more stable and emotionally resilient.

High

· Experiences a lot of stress

• Worries about many different things
• Gets upset easily
• Experiences dramatic shifts in mood
• Feels anxious
• Struggles to bounce back after stressful events

Low

• Emotionally stable
• Deals well with stress
• Rarely feels sad or depressed
• Doesn’t worry much
• Is very relaxed

References

· Cobb-Clark, DA & Schurer, S. The stability of big-five personality traits. Economics Letters. 2012; 115(2): 11–15.

· Lang, KL, Livesley, WJ, & Vemon, PA. Heritability of the big five personality dimensions and their facets: A twin study. Journal of Personality. 1996; 64(3): 577–591.

· Marsh, HW, Nagengast, B, & Morin, AJS. Measurement invariance of big-five factors over the lifespan: ESEM tests of gender, age, plasticity, maturity, and la dolce vita effects. Developmental Psychology. 2013; 49(6): 1194–1218.

· McCrae, R R, Terracciano, A., and Members of the Personality Profiles of Cultures Project. Universal features of personality traits from the observer’s perspective: Data from 50 different cultures. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 2005; 88: 547–561.

· Kendra Cherry May 20, 2019 retrived from https://www.verywellmind.com/the-big-five-personality-dimensions-2795422