Costa & McCrae (2003) have developed the Big Five or Five-Factor Theory as an influential perspective on personality structure. Building upon Eysenck’s work, it identifies five dimensions of personality that appear robustly measured across populations; additionally, these traits often accurately predict behavior: for example, a pattern with high conscientiousness and low neuroticism is often linked with leadership success.
1. Extraversion
Extraversion, the broad personality trait associated with extroverts, encompasses socialization, liveliness, activity level, and positive emotions. First identified by Hans Eysenck as a combination of two major tendencies (sociability and impulsivity) more recent research suggests additional aspects such as high energy level and an enhanced mesolimbic dopamine sensitivity response to potential rewarding stimuli as part of this trait.
Extroverts typically lead a fast-paced lifestyle, filling their social calendar with events and meeting new people. When they achieve goals – such as getting promoted, meeting someone special, or winning a contest – they experience an immense sense of fulfillment; by contrast, introverts may feel less satisfied when celebrating personal victories because they tend not to seek external acknowledgment of these victories.
People’s levels of extraversion often change during their lives, due to being an ongoing spectrum. You might, for instance, switch between being more introverted in college and more extroverted while working on projects requiring interaction among colleagues.
Eysenck and Gray’s Arousal Theory of Personality suggests that extraversion and introversion can be explained by one’s response to reward-seeking stimuli and ability to manage or inhibit arousal during such stimuli. Unfortunately, however, this theory has proven unfailingly in producing results while often contradicting other personality theories.
2. Agreeableness
Agreeableness refers to an individual’s tendency to see the best in others and be kind, warm, sympathetic, and generous with them. People high in agreeableness tend to be peacemakers; they find it easy to connect emotionally with people while understanding others’ needs and emotions, leading them to be well-liked friends who negotiate to keep everyone contented with each other’s company. While those low in this trait might use threats and intimidation tactics to attain their goals; those high will typically negotiate to maintain harmony among participants.
People high in this trait tend to be trusting and forgiving toward those close to them, particularly family and friends. They sincerely want to help others and believe it’s their duty. These individuals tend to have soft hearts who care deeply for others without considering their own needs first.
While research on Extraversion and Conscientiousness is extensive, researchers are only just beginning to appreciate that Agreeableness plays a vital role in healthy prosocial behaviors, happiness, and well-being.
Becoming more agreeable can be as easy as practicing mindfulness during conversations, by paying close attention to both parties involved and their perspective. Focusing on building empathy will increase empathy and open you up more readily to compromise; also practice being aware when you start acting argumentatively or aggressively and pausing before reacting automatically, to prevent autopilot reactions. Learning more about your actions’ impacts will deepen sensitivity towards others while increasing agreeableness – or try working together on projects that require social harmony to become even more agreeable!
3. Conscientiousness
One understanding of conscience sees it as a tool to evaluate and motivate us to act morally. For example, someone might feel compelled to assist a fallen friend or report corrupt politicians who have wronged the public due to religious or secular experiences that instill a sense of moral responsibility – this understanding of conscience provides both motivations as well as a source of personal pride (Sulmasy 2008: 142).
One definition of conscience is as the receptor of knowledge transmitted from God or higher powers, often religious in origin but also found among agnostics such as Quakers or philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724-1804). According to this understanding of conscience, information comes into our mind through five-step processes; sense perception, imagination processing emotion processing judgement judgment storage memory storage. Although conscience does not always provide accurate advice; instead it serves as a source of mediated knowledge that assists moral decisions (Sulmasy 2008: 152).
Conscience emphasizes the significance of routine and structure for individuals. Conscientiousness has long been considered a reliable indicator of good grades at school or university as well as successful work performance; those scoring highly tend to comply with rules and regulations, follow diet and treatment plans closely, and prioritize health concerns over other activities; conversely, those scoring lower are associated with juvenile delinquency or lack of impulse control.
4. Openness to Experience
Openness to Experience, one of the Big Five personality traits, encompasses various loosely connected characteristics such as tolerance of ambiguity, low dogmatism, need for variety, and aesthetic sensitivity. It has strong correlations with sensation seeking but also with self-transcendence and intellectual curiosity (Costa and McCrae 1992).
People rated highly for openness to experience tend to thrive in challenging jobs that force them out of their comfort zones. These individuals possess an unquenchable thirst for new experiences and their fluid style of consciousness allows them to make unexpected connections between seemingly distant ideas – traits often linked with creativity and imagination that play key roles in work environments.
Conversely, those with lower openness to experience tend to prefer predictable workplaces that follow strict procedures and routines. They may find it challenging to adapt to unfamiliar circumstances, cultural differences, or ideologies – however, this trait can prove advantageous when leading teams because it fosters collaboration and innovation.
Even though genetic factors play a part, experience-gathering is also dependent on environment and personal experience. Psychological researchers continue to debate between nature vs nurture arguments; both have compelling points of view to offer.
People with high levels of openness to experience typically have varied interests and enjoy venturing outside of their comfort zones to try new experiences. From music and cuisine to art and beyond, their interests span an impressive spectrum – perhaps their home decor even signals this commitment to adventure!
5. Neuroticism
People with high neuroticism scores tend to suffer from anxiety and worry. They may experience panic attacks, feelings of unease in everyday situations, an overactive fight-or-flight response, and moodiness and emotional instability; their responses to stressors may become highly exaggerated; it takes them longer than average to return to their baseline level of functioning and feeling.
Neurotic individuals tend to believe their feelings aren’t justified, leading them to devalue themselves, become overly critical, and blame others for their issues. Unfortunately, this type of person tends to become vulnerable to addictions while having more trouble maintaining relationships than their non-nervous peers.
Anger or sadness over something nonthreatening can be part of life, but extreme feelings of sorrow over nonthreatening events may indicate neuroticism. Such individuals often cause difficulty in both personal relationships and professional ones due to their relentless negativity and drive for perfection.
People who are neurotic tend to engage in more impulsive behaviors like gambling, excessive drinking, theft, and other forms of antisocial behavior. They can be more inclined to manipulate others or be socially unpleasant than those without this trait, making it easier for neurotic behaviors to surface in areas such as charity work, medicine, and mental health care. People without neuroticism typically are more agreeable and show greater concern for others’ well-being in areas like charity work, medicine, and mental health care.
Note that neuroticism is not a diagnosis; rather it’s a personality trait. Unfortunately, neuroticism can contribute to several mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms; but don’t despair as neuroticism doesn’t remain permanent; with psychotherapy treatment, neuroticism can be reduced over time.
