There is controversy among psychologists over what personality actually means. Most agree that the word “personality” originates from the Latin word “Persona,” which refers to a theatrical mask used by Roman actors in Greek dramas. These classic Roman actors projected a character or false impression by using masks or personas. Over time, this superficial interpretation of personality became inadequate. Psychologists now refer to more than just an individual’s function when they use the term “personality.”
Allport and Odbert were the major pioneers who commenced the study of traits in the 1930s, followed by Cattell in the 1940s, and later by Tupes, Christal, and Norman in the 1960s. The historical overview of the Five-Factor Model, or the Big Five, was further developed by researchers like Costa and McCrae.
History of the Big Five ModelCosta and McCrae constructed intricate taxonomies of personality traits in the late 1970s and early 1980s, primarily focusing on neuroticism and extraversion. They later identified a third factor, openness to experience. The term “Big Five” was first coined by Lewis Goldberg in 1981, referring to the consistent results of factor analyses of personality traits. The three-factor model proposed by McCrae and Costa in 1983 led to the development of the NEO-PI, a new five-factor personality assessment. Their work culminated in the Revised NEO-PI in 1992, which became a significant contribution to personality research, addressing the structure of personality and establishing a common vocabulary across various personality questionnaires. |
Factors Explained
To help you understand what traits and characteristics these factors encompass, we delve deeper into each element below, along with examples and terminology that are relevant. OCEAN is a common acronym used for The Big Five, representing the following five factors:
Openness (O)
The depth and complexity of a person’s mental life and experiences define their openness to experience. It has also been referred to as intellect or imagination at times. People who score high in openness are eager to try new things and think creatively. Those who score low in this trait are often more traditional and struggle with abstract thinking.
Characteristics of Openness to ExperienceHigh Score: Imaginative, Creative, Original, Prefers Variety, Curious, Liberal Low Score: Down-to-Earth, Uncreative, Conventional, Prefers Routine, Uncurious, Conservative |
Conscientiousness (C)
Conscientiousness describes a person’s ability to regulate impulse control to engage in goal-directed behaviors. Individuals with high conscientiousness tend to be well-organized and detail-oriented. In contrast, those with low conscientiousness are often messy, less structured, and may struggle to meet deadlines.
Characteristics of ConscientiousnessHigh Score: Conscientious, Hardworking, Well-Organized, Punctual, Ambitious, Persevering Low Score: Negligent, Lazy, Disorganized, Late, Aimless, Quitting |
Extraversion (E)
Extraversion is characterized by high levels of emotional expressiveness, talkativeness, and assertiveness. Extroverted individuals gain energy from social interactions and feel excited when surrounded by people. In contrast, introverted individuals (who score low on extraversion) find social settings draining and often require time alone to recharge.
Characteristics of ExtraversionHigh Score: Affectionate, Joiner, Talkative, Fun-Loving, Active, Passionate Low Score: Reserved, Loner, Quiet, Sober, Passive, Unfeeling |
Agreeableness (A)
Agreeableness encompasses traits like compassion, trustworthiness, and other prosocial behaviors. It refers to how people tend to treat relationships with others. Individuals with high agreeableness are often seen as kind and cooperative, while those with low agreeableness may be more competitive and manipulative.
Characteristics of AgreeablenessHigh Score: Soft-Hearted, Trusting, Generous, Acquiescent, Lenient, Good-Natured Low Score: Ruthless, Suspicious, Stingy, Antagonistic, Critical, Irritable |
Neuroticism (N)
Neuroticism is the only trait in the Big Five where lower scores are more favorable. High neuroticism is associated with emotional instability, moodiness, and sadness. Those who score low in neuroticism are typically emotionally stable and resilient.
Characteristics of NeuroticismHigh Score: Anxious, Temperamental, Self-Pitying, Self-Conscious, Emotional, Vulnerable Low Score: Calm, Even-Tempered, Self-Satisfied, Comfortable, Unemotional, Hardy |
Takeaway
The psychological study of personality is a complex field with a lengthy history of evolving theories and ideologies. While personality concepts are easy to grasp, conducting reliable scientific research on personality can be challenging.
The Big Five model offers insight into your own personality, helping you identify where to direct your attention and energy. Understanding your strengths is the first step to using them to your advantage.
Author
