Big Five Personality Traits
1. Openness
This trait also known as ‘openness to experience’, is related to imagination and curiosity. People high in openness tend to have a broad range of interests and are eager to explore new ideas and experiences. They are often creative, open-minded, and willing to consider unconventional points of view. On the other hand, individuals low in openness may be more traditional, prefer routine, and are less interested in trying new things.
2. Conscientiousness
Conscientiousness means being good at organising, staying disciplined, and working towards goals. People who are very conscientious are often neat, pay close attention to small things, and make plans ahead of time. They are also dependable and responsible. On the other hand, those with low conscientiousness might find it hard to control their impulses, keep things organised, and finish tasks on time.
3. Extraversion
Extraversion, also known as extroversion, is a trait in a person’s personality that tells about how social and outgoing a person is. It means they are lively, friendly, talkative, confident, and show their feelings a lot. People with high extraversion like being with others and it makes them feel more active and happy. On the other hand, those with low extraversion, called introverts, are quieter and may feel tired after being around people. They need some alone time to feel refreshed.
People with High Extraversion:
- Enjoy socialising and is outgoing.
- Talkative and expressive in communication.
- Confident and assertive in social situations.
- Gains energy from being around people.
- Finds joy in the company of others.
People with Low Extraversion:
- Prefer more reserved and quieter settings.
- Tends to be less talkative and selective in speech.
- Often cautious and less assertive in social interactions.
- Feels drained after extensive socialising.
- Values solitude as a means to recharge.
4. Agreeableness
Agreeableness talks about how a person interacts with others. Those with high agreeableness are usually friendly, helpful, and good at getting along with people. They tend to trust others easily and are forgiving. Whereas, those with low agreeableness might be more skeptical and can sometimes be demanding or critical. They might not be as concerned about how others feel and may not offer help as readily. This trait is about behaviours like trust, kindness, and helping others. It is not about actively seeking out relationships like extraversion, but rather about how someone treats and relates to others.
People with High Agreeableness
- Trusting and forgiving
- Honest and Upfront
- Enjoys helping others and being kind
- Cooperative and easy to get along with
People with Low Agreeableness
- Skeptical and less likely to trust
- Demanding and may expect a lot
- May insult and belittle others
- Stubborn and less likely to compromise
5. Neuroticism
Neuroticism, also referred to as stability measures an individuals capacity to handle and recover from challenges. Individuals, with levels of neuroticism may experience emotions such as anxiety, irritability and mood swings more frequently. They may be more sensitive to stressors and may worry frequently. Conversely, individuals low in neuroticism tend to be emotionally stable, resilient, and less likely to experience extreme mood swings or anxiety.