Big Five personality traits

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia In contemporary psychology, the "Big Five" factors (or Five Factor Model; FFM) of personality are five broad domains or dimensions of personality which are used to describe human personality. The Big five factors are openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism (common acronyms are OCEAN, NEOAC, or CANOE). The neuroticism factor is sometimes referred by its low pole "emotional stability". Some disagreement remains about how to interpret the openness factor, which is sometimes called "intellect" rather than openness to experience. Beneath each factor, a cluster of correlated specific traits are found; for example, extraversion includes such related qualities as gregariousness, assertiveness, excitement seeking, warmth, activity and positive emotions.[1] The Five Factor Model is a descriptive model of personality; psychologists have developed a number of theories to account for the Big Five.

[edit] The five factors

The Big Five factors and their constituent traits can be summarized as (OCEAN):

Openness to experience (inventive/curious vs. consistent/cautious). Appreciation for art, emotion, adventure, unusual ideas, curiosity, and variety of experience. Conscientiousness (efficient/organized vs. easy-going/careless). A tendency to show selfdiscipline, act dutifully, and aim for achievement; planned rather than spontaneous behaviour. Extraversion (outgoing/energetic vs. solitary/reserved). Energy, positive emotions, surgency, and the tendency to seek stimulation in the company of others. Agreeableness (friendly/compassionate vs. cold/unkind). A tendency to be compassionate and cooperative rather than suspicious and antagonistic towards others. Neuroticism (sensitive/nervous vs. secure/confident). A tendency to experience unpleasant emotions easily, such as anger, anxiety, depression, or vulnerability.

The Big Five model is a comprehensive, empirical, data-driven research finding. Identifying the traits and structure of human personality has been one of the most fundamental goals in all of psychology. The five broad factors were discovered and defined by several independent sets of researchers (Digman, 1990).[2] These researchers began by studying known personality traits and then factor-analyzing hundreds of measures of these traits (in self-report and questionnaire data, peer ratings, and objective measures from experimental settings) in order to find the underlying factors of personality.

The initial model was advanced by Ernest Tupes and Raymond Christal in 1961,[3] but failed to reach an academic audience until the 1980s. In 1990, J.M. Digman advanced his five factor model of personality, which Goldberg extended to the highest level of organization (Goldberg, 1993).[4] These five over-arching domains have been found to contain and subsume most known personality traits and are assumed to represent the basic structure behind all personality traits. These five factors provide a rich conceptual framework for integrating all the research findings and theory in personality psychology. The Big Five traits are also referred to as the "Five Factor Model" or FFM (Costa & McCrae, 1992),[5] and as the Global Factors of personality (Russell & Karol, 1994).[6] At least four sets of researchers have worked independently for decades on this problem and have identified generally the same Big Five factors: Tupes & Cristal were first, followed by Goldberg at the Oregon Research Institute,[7][8][9][10][11] Cattell at the University of Illinois,[12][13][14][15] and Costa and McCrae at the National Institutes of Health.[16][17][18][19] These four sets of researchers used somewhat different methods in finding the five traits, and thus each set of five factors has somewhat different names and definitions. However, all have been found to be highly inter-correlated and factor-analytically aligned.[20][21][22][23][24] Because the Big Five traits are broad and comprehensive, they are not nearly as powerful in predicting and explaining actual behavior as are the more numerous lower-level traits. Many studies have confirmed that in predicting actual behavior the more numerous facet or primary level traits are far more effective (e.g. Mershon & Gorsuch, 1988;[25] Paunonon & Ashton, 2001[26]) When scored for individual feedback, these traits are frequently presented as percentile scores. For example, a Conscientiousness rating in the 80th percentile indicates a relatively strong sense of responsibility and orderliness, whereas an Extraversion rating in the 5th percentile indicates an exceptional need for solitude and quiet. Although these trait clusters are statistical aggregates, exceptions may exist on individual personality profiles. On average, people who register high in Openness are intellectually curious, open to emotion, interested in art, and willing to try new things. A particular individual, however, may have a high overall Openness score and be interested in learning and exploring new cultures but have no great interest in art or poetry. The most frequently used measures of the Big Five comprise either items that are self-descriptive sentences[27] or, in the case of lexical measures, items that are single adjectives.[28] Due to the length of sentence-based and some lexical measures, short forms have been developed and validated for use in applied research settings where questionnaire space and respondent time are limited, such as the 40-item balanced International English Big-Five Mini-Markers[29] or a very brief (10 item) measure of the Big Five domains.[30]
[edit] Openness to experience Main article: Openness to experience

Openness is a general appreciation for art, emotion, adventure, unusual ideas, imagination, curiosity, and variety of experience. The trait distinguishes imaginative people from down-toearth, conventional people. People who are open to experience are intellectually curious,

appreciative of art, and sensitive to beauty. They tend to be, compared to closed people, more creative and more aware of their feelings. They are more likely to hold unconventional beliefs. People with low scores on openness tend to have more conventional, traditional interests. They prefer the plain, straightforward, and obvious over the complex, ambiguous, and subtle. They may regard the arts and sciences with suspicion or even view these endeavors as uninteresting.
[edit] Sample openness items

I have a rich vocabulary. I have a vivid imagination. I have excellent ideas. I am quick to understand things. I use difficult words. I spend time reflecting on things. I am full of ideas. I am not interested in abstractions. (reversed) I do not have a good imagination. (reversed) I have difficulty understanding abstract ideas. (reversed)[31]

[edit] Conscientiousness Main article: Conscientiousness

Conscientiousness is a tendency to show self-discipline, act dutifully, and aim for achievement against measures or outside expectations. The trait shows a preference for planned rather than spontaneous behavior. It influences the way in which we control, regulate, and direct our impulses.
[edit] Sample conscientiousness items

I am always prepared. I pay attention to details. I get chores done right away. I like order. I follow a schedule. I am exacting in my work. I leave my belongings around. (reversed) I make a mess of things. (reversed) I often forget to put things back in their proper place. (reversed) I shirk my duties. (reversed)[31]

[edit] Extraversion Main article: Extraversion and introversion

Extraversion is characterized by positive emotions, surgency, and the tendency to seek out stimulation and the company of others. The trait is marked by pronounced engagement with the

external world. Extraverts enjoy being with people, and are often perceived as full of energy. They tend to be enthusiastic, action-oriented individuals who are likely to say "Yes!" or "Let's go!" to opportunities for excitement. In groups they like to talk, assert themselves, and draw attention to themselves. Introverts lack the social exuberance and activity levels of extraverts. They tend to seem quiet, low-key, deliberate, and less involved in the social world. Their lack of social involvement should not be interpreted as shyness or depression. Introverts simply need less stimulation than extraverts and more time alone. They may be very active and energetic, simply not socially.
[edit] Sample extraversion items

I am the life of the party. I don't mind being the center of attention. I feel comfortable around people. I start conversations. I talk to a lot of different people at parties. I don't talk a lot. (reversed) I keep in the background. (reversed) I have little to say. (reversed) I don't like to draw attention to myself. (reversed) I am quiet around strangers. (reversed) [31]

[edit] Agreeableness Main article: Agreeableness

Agreeableness is a tendency to be compassionate and cooperative rather than suspicious and antagonistic towards others. The trait reflects individual differences in general concern for social harmony. Agreeable individuals value getting along with others. They are generally considerate, friendly, generous, helpful, and willing to compromise their interests with others. Agreeable people also have an optimistic view of human nature. They believe people are basically honest, decent, and trustworthy. Disagreeable individuals place self-interest above getting along with others. They are generally unconcerned with others well-being, and are less likely to extend themselves for other people. Sometimes their skepticism about others motives causes them to be suspicious, unfriendly, and uncooperative.
[edit] Sample agreeableness items

I am interested in people. I sympathize with others' feelings. I have a soft heart. I take time out for others. I feel others' emotions. I make people feel at ease.

I am not really interested in others. (reversed) I insult people. (reversed) I am not interested in other people's problems. (reversed) I feel little concern for others. (reversed) [31]

[edit] Neuroticism Main article: Neuroticism

Neuroticism is the tendency to experience negative emotions, such as anger, anxiety, or depression. It is sometimes called emotional instability. Those who score high in neuroticism are emotionally reactive and vulnerable to stress. They are more likely to interpret ordinary situations as threatening, and minor frustrations as hopelessly difficult. Their negative emotional reactions tend to persist for unusually long periods of time, which means they are often in a bad mood. These problems in emotional regulation can diminish the ability of a person scoring high on neuroticism to think clearly, make decisions, and cope effectively with stress. At the other end of the scale, individuals who score low in neuroticism are less easily upset and are less emotionally reactive. They tend to be calm, emotionally stable, and free from persistent negative feelings. Freedom from negative feelings does not mean that low scorers experience a lot of positive feelings.
[edit] Sample neuroticism items

I am easily disturbed. I change my mood a lot. I get irritated easily. I get stressed out easily. I get upset easily. I have frequent mood swings. I often feel blue. I worry about things. I am relaxed most of the time. (reversed

16 Personality Factors
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The 16 Personality Factors, measured by the 16PF Questionnaire, were derived using factoranalysis by psychologist Raymond Cattell. Below is a table outlining this model.

Raymond Cattell's 16 Personality Factors

Descriptors of Low Range Primary Factor Descriptors of High Range Warm, outgoing, attentive to others, kindly, easy-going, participating, likes people (Affectothymia) Abstract-thinking, more intelligent, bright, higher general mental capacity, fast learner (Higher Scholastic Mental Capacity)

Impersonal, distant, cool, reserved, Warmth detached, formal, aloof (Schizothymia) (A) Concrete thinking, lower general mental capacity, less intelligent, unable to handle Reasoning abstract problems (Lower Scholastic Mental (B) Capacity) Reactive emotionally, changeable, affected Emotional by feelings, emotionally less stable, easily Stability upset (Lower Ego Strength) (C) Deferential, cooperative, avoids conflict, Dominance submissive, humble, obedient, easily led, (E) docile, accommodating (Submissiveness) Serious, restrained, prudent, taciturn, Liveliness introspective, silent (Desurgency) (F)

Emotionally stable, adaptive, mature, faces reality calmly (Higher Ego Strength)

Dominant, forceful, assertive, aggressive, competitive, stubborn, bossy (Dominance) Lively, animated, spontaneous, enthusiastic, happy go lucky, cheerful, expressive, impulsive (Surgency)

Expedient, nonconforming, disregards RuleRule-conscious, dutiful, conscientious, rules, self indulgent (Low Super Ego Consciousness conforming, moralistic, staid, rule bound Strength) (G) (High Super Ego Strength) Shy, threat-sensitive, intimidated (Threctia) timid, hesitant, Social Boldness Socially bold, venturesome, thick skinned, (H) uninhibited (Parmia) Sensitive, aesthetic, sentimental, tender minded, intuitive, refined (Premsia) Vigilant, suspicious, skeptical, distrustful, oppositional (Protension)

Utilitarian, objective, unsentimental, tough Sensitivity minded, self-reliant, no-nonsense, rough (I) (Harria) Trusting, unsuspecting, unconditional, easy (Alaxia) accepting, Vigilance (L)

Grounded, practical, prosaic, solution Abstractedness Abstract, imaginative, absent minded, oriented, steady, conventional (Praxernia) (M) impractical, absorbed in ideas (Autia) Forthright, genuine, artless, open, guileless, Privateness Private, discreet, nondisclosing, shrewd, polished, worldly, astute, diplomatic

naive, unpretentious, involved (Artlessness) (N)

(Shrewdness)

Self-Assured, unworried, complacent, Apprehensive, self doubting, worried, guilt Apprehension secure, free of guilt, confident, self satisfied prone, insecure, worrying, self blaming (O) (Untroubled) (Guilt Proneness) Traditional, attached to familiar, Openness conservative, respecting traditional ideas Change (Conservatism) (Q1) Group-oriented, affiliative, a joiner and Self-Reliance follower dependent (Group Adherence) (Q2) Tolerates disorder, unexacting, flexible, undisciplined, lax, self-conflict, impulsive, Perfectionism careless of social rules, uncontrolled (Low (Q3) Integration) Relaxed, placid, tranquil, torpid, patient, Tension composed low drive (Low Ergic Tension) (Q4) to Open to change, experimental, liberal, analytical, critical, free thinking, flexibility (Radicalism) Self-reliant, individualistic, Sufficiency) solitary, resourceful, self-sufficient (Self-

Perfectionistic, organized, compulsive, selfdisciplined, socially precise, exacting will power, control, self-sentimental (High SelfConcept Control) Tense, high energy, impatient, driven, frustrated, over wrought, time driven. (High Ergic Tension)

Primary Factors and Descriptors in Cattell's 16 Personality Factor Model (Adapted From Conn & Rieke, 1994). Personality does not evolved by a single factor. It is a mixture of a lot of things. Some of those factors are psychological, some are physical, some are biological and some are even hereditary. So, I have compiled some of the basic factors that hold great importance when we talk about PERSONALITY DETERMINANTS:

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1. Brain
Brain is one of the most important factors of personality determinant. It is generally believed that the father and the child adopt almost the same type of brain stimulation and the later differences are the result of the environment in which the child has been grown up.

Electrical Stimulation of the Brain (ESB) and Split Brain Psychology (SBP) and the outcomes of genetic transmissions and are the tools that are used by the management of any organization to mould and amend the employees behavior to a more positive and proper one.

Doesn't size matter? ;)

2. Physical Factors

One of the most important factors in determining personality is the Physical Characteristics of an individual. It is believed that this factor plays a vital role in determining ones behavior in any organization. Physical features may involve the height of a person (short or tall), his color (white or black), his health status (fat or skinny) and his beauty (handsome or ugly). These factors are involved when interacting with any other person and thus contribute in the personality development in many ways.

3. Social Factors
Social factors also play a vital role in determining ones personality. The things that revolve and evolve around us on a regular basis determine our personality. The society that we live in, the cultural environment that we face daily, the community we get interacted to, all are included in this factor. Relationships, co-ordination, co-operation, interaction, environment in the family, organizations, workplaces, communities, societies all contribute in way or another as personality determinants.

4. Cultural and Religious Factors:

The culture in which one lives in, that may involve traditional practices, norms, customs, procedures, rules and regulations, precedents and values, all are important determinants of personality. Moreover, the creed, religion and believes are also very important factors of personality determinants.

5. Heredity Factor:
Perhaps, the most surprising and astonishing factor (at least in my eyes) is the Heredity Factor. When I first read about that, I was quite stunned and really gave a bow to nature. The example which I read was really interesting, and I am writing the same extract that I read. What is Psychosexual Development? According to Sigmund Freud, personality is mostly established by the age of five. Early experiences play a large role in personality development and continue to influence behavior later in life. Freud's theory of psychosexual development is one of the best known, but also one of the most controversial. Freud believed that personality develops through a series of childhood stages during which the pleasure-seeking energies of the id become focused on certain erogenous areas. This psychosexual energy, or libido, was described as the driving force behind behavior. If these psychosexual stages are completed successfully, the result is a healthy personality. If certain issues are not resolved at the appropriate stage, fixation can occur. A fixation is a persistent focus on an earlier psychosexual stage. Until this conflict is resolved, the individual will remain "stuck" in this stage. For example, a person who is fixated at the oral stage may be over-dependent on others and may seek oral stimulation through smoking, drinking, or eating.
The Oral Stage Age Range: Birth to 1 Year Erogenous Zone: Mouth

During the oral stage, the infant's primary source of interaction occurs through the mouth, so the rooting and sucking reflex is especially important. The mouth is vital for eating, and the infant derives pleasure from oral stimulation through gratifying activities such as tasting and sucking. Because the infant is entirely dependent upon caretakers (who are responsible for feeding the child), the infant also develops a sense of trust and comfort through this oral stimulation. The primary conflict at this stage is the weaning process--the child must become less dependent upon caretakers. If fixation occurs at this stage, Freud believed the individual would have issues with dependency or aggression. Oral fixation can result in problems with drinking, eating, smoking or nail biting.
The Anal Stage

Age Range: 1 to 3 years Erogenous Zone: Bowel and Bladder Control

During the anal stage, Freud believed that the primary focus of the libido was on controlling bladder and bowel movements. The major conflict at this stage is toilet training--the child has to learn to control his or her bodily needs. Developing this control leads to a sense of accomplishment and independence. According to Freud, success at this stage is dependent upon the way in which parents approach toilet training. Parents who utilize praise and rewards for using the toilet at the appropriate time encourage positive outcomes and help children feel capable and productive. Freud believed that positive experiences during this stage served as the basis for people to become competent, productive and creative adults. However, not all parents provide the support and encouragement that children need during this stage. Some parents' instead punish, ridicule or shame a child for accidents. According to Freud, inappropriate parental responses can result in negative outcomes. If parents take an approach that is too lenient, Freud suggested that an anal-expulsive personality could develop in which the individual has a messy, wasteful or destructive personality. If parents are too strict or begin toilet training too early, Freud believed that an anal-retentive personality develops in which the individual is stringent, orderly, rigid and obsessive.
The Phallic Stage Age Range: 3 to 6 Years Erogenous Zone: Genitals

During the phallic stage, the primary focus of the libido is on the genitals. At this age, children also begin to discover the differences between males and females. Freud also believed that boys begin to view their fathers as a rival for the mothers affections. The Oedipus complex describes these feelings of wanting to possess the mother and the desire to replace the father. However, the child also fears that he will be punished by the father for these feelings, a fear Freud termed castration anxiety. The term Electra complex has been used to described a similar set of feelings experienced by young girls. Freud, however, believed that girls instead experience penis envy. Eventually, the child begins to identify with the same-sex parent as a means of vicariously possessing the other parent. For girls, however, Freud believed that penis envy was never fully resolved and that all women remain somewhat fixated on this stage. Psychologists such as Karen Horney disputed this theory, calling it both inaccurate and demeaning to women. Instead, Horney proposed that men experience feelings of inferiority because they cannot give birth to children.

The Latent Period Age Range: 6 to Puberty Erogenous Zone: Sexual Feelings Are Inactive

During the latent period, the libido interests are suppressed. The development of the ego and superego contribute to this period of calm. The stage begins around the time that children enter into school and become more concerned with peer relationships, hobbies and other interests. The latent period is a time of exploration in which the sexual energy is still present, but it is directed into other areas such as intellectual pursuits and social interactions. This stage is important in the development of social and communication skills and self-confidence.
The Genital Stage Age Range: Puberty to Death Erogenous Zone: Maturing Sexual Interests

During the final stage of psychosexual development, the individual develops a strong sexual interest in the opposite sex. This stage begins during puberty but last throughout the rest of a person's life. Where in earlier stages the focus was solely on individual needs, interest in the welfare of others grows during this stage. If the other stages have been completed successfully, the individual should now be well-balanced, warm and caring. The goal of this stage is to establish a balance between the various life areas.
Psychoanalytic Theory of personality The Psychoanalytic Theory of personality has held the interest of psychologists and psychiatrists for a long time. Sigmund Freud, its formulator, was quite an influence. The psychoanalytic position is that early experiences influence all human behavior. It attends to -- emphasizes -- three main issues: the id, the ego and the superego. Psychoanalysts say that all human personality is comprised of these closely integrated functions. The id is considered as mostly biological or physical in function -- unfettered, compelling and lacking morality, selfish and intolerant of tension. It functions on the principle of pleasure before anything else. Psychoanalysts consider the id the basic psychic energy and the seat of instincts. It always functions on the unconscious level. Its main quirk is "pleasure before everything, and at any cost." The ego is the rationally functioning element of human personality. It exerts conscious control, trying always to be the mediator between the id and the superego. Though the id seeks pleasure blindly, based on the pleasure principle, the ego seeks pleasure using rationality instead of irrationality. Its main quirk is rationality, and is always conscious. The superego represents our moral system. It strives to put a right or wrong tag on our behavior, often triggering conflict among the three divisions. Its main quirk is morality. The ego is that aspect we present to the "outside" -- it is our persona our celebrity. Psychoanalysts treat humanity as a dismal breed -- irrational, materialistic and mechanistic. Human beings, according to Freud and his ardent followers, are mere energy systems -- and the

summation of that energy is the psychic energy. Anxiety occurs when there is conflict among the three divisions. Humans use defense mechanisms to control the anxiety. Many are listed. Psychoanalysts also put considerable importance on their defined stages through which each proceeds toward maturity -- the oral stage, the anal stage and the phallic stage in particular -- and later the latent stage. They also put much stock in two processes called positive and negative transference (and the "counter-transference" of each) -- positive: likening it to love for the therapist as he/she represents or substitutes for one or the other parent (or other significant person -- surrogate) in their patient's maturing life; negative: likening it to dislike/hate for the therapist as he/she represents or substitutes for one or the other parent (or other significant person in their patient's maturing life) whom the patient considers the cause of their problem(s). Complicating the psychoanalytic theory of personality, Freud introduced concepts such as the Oedipus complex and, to balance it with a feminine touch, the Electra complex (although, some who write of Freud's theory say that this wasn't of Freud's thinking.) Despite these noble attempts to balance the genders, the psychoanalytic theory of personality is very chauvinistic, giving the male gender much more attention than the female. From my perspective, Freud's greatest contribution to understanding human personality was his exquisite development of his concepts of human conscious and unconscious (and conscience.) Although not being the first to make this division, his concepts make more sense. And his concepts remain the basis for most other theories of personality. Treating patients, using the psychoanalytic theory, is complex, time consuming and costly. And, however it is viewed, and by whoever views it, it must be considered a closed system. Its main energy is that of the id. It lacks concern for any other outside energy -outside the self, that is. It is a self-centered model, closed and lacking any interest in a spiritual part that is invested in each person. I take issue with Freud's theory for this reason. Later in Freud's work, two of his most ardent followers bolted, Alfred Adler and Carl Gustov Jung. Jung developed a most interesting -- and every bit as complex -- a theory of personality as Freud; perhaps more complex. More modern theorists, Otto Rank (who emphasized separation anxiety as the main issue with which to deal in understanding human personality), and Karen Horney (who believed that Freud's theory was too mechanistic, which it is, and who further believed that to understand human personality, it was necessary to extend its study to include social pressures and stressors.) She developed a long list of needs that each had to fulfill to feel comfortable with themselves as well as with society. Yet, no matter what additional theories were developed, using Freud's ideas as their basis -- with the exception of Jung -- they continued to exclude the spiritual part of each individual, adding to my belief, that being closed systems, none could possibly bring the wholeness and completeness that each individual seeks in his living and his life after he dies.

Locus of control in social psychology refers to the extent to which individuals believe that they can control events that affect them. Understanding of the concept was developed by Julian B. Rotter in 1954, and has since become an important aspect of personality studies. One's "locus" (Latin for "place" or "location") can either be internal (meaning the person believes that they control their life) or external (meaning they believe that their environment, some higher power, or other people control their decisions and their life). Individuals with a high internal locus of control believe that events result primarily from their own behavior and actions. Those with a high external locus of control believe that powerful others, fate, or chance primarily determine events. Those with a high internal locus of control have better control of their behavior, tend to exhibit more political behaviors, and are more likely to attempt to influence other people than those with a high external (or low internal respectively) locus of control. Those with a high internal locus of

control are more likely to assume that their efforts will be successful. They are more active in seeking information and knowledge concerning their situation. A simple division of preference or personality type is into Type A and Type B, which is based broadly on anxiety and stress levels.

Type A
The Type A personality generally lives at a higher stress level. This is driven by

They enjoy achievement of goals, with greater enjoyment in achieving of more difficult goals. They are thus constantly working hard to achieve these. They find it difficult to stop, even when they have achieved goals. They feel the pressure of time, constantly working flat out. They are highly competitive and will, if necessary create competition. They hate failure and will work hard to avoid it. They are generally pretty fit and often well-educated (a result of their anxiety).

Type B
The Type B personality generally lives at a lower stress level and are typically:

They work steadily, enjoying achievements but not becoming stressed when they are not achieved. When faced with competition, they do not mind losing and either enjoy the game or back down. They may be creative and enjoy exploring ideas and concepts. They are often reflective, thinking about the outer and inner worlds.