What is Personality?

Research has shown that there are five general dimensions that can describe a person’s personality – click here for one of Costa & McCrae’s early journal articles outlining these dimensions. These are extroversion, conscientiousness, emotional stability, agreeableness, and openness to experience.

In the explanations below, I’ll start by asking you whether some statements describe you or not. (These statements come from the International Personality Item Pool.) This fact-sheet won’t give you a precise measure so don’t worry if it’s difficult to choose between “yes” and “no”. We’re just looking for an approximation so that you can gauge where you might sit on each personality trait continuum.

Extroversion / Introversion

Would you say these statements describe you?

Or would you say these statements describe you?

• Don’t talk a lot
• Keep in the background
• Have little to say
• Don’t like to draw attention to myself
• Am quiet around strangers

If the first group of statements described you more than the second group, then you are probably an extrovert. If the second group of statements described you more than the first then you are probably an introvert.

Extroversion is the degree to which you enjoy external stimulation (or internal stimulation if you score low on this – i.e., introversion). Extroverts get energized from being around others and doing “exciting” things. Introverts are energized from being in quiet places and thinking about things.

Conscientiousness

Would you say these statements describe you?

• Leave my belongings around
• Make a mess of things
• Often forget to put things back in their proper place
• Shirk my duties

Or would you say these statements describe you?

• Am always prepared
• Pay attention to details
• Get chores done right away
• Like order
• Follow a schedule

If you are more like the first group than the second group then you are on the lower end of the conscientiousness continuum. If you are more like the second group than the first group then you are on the higher end (i.e., more conscientious).

Conscientiousness is the degree to which you “cross the t’s and dot the i’s”. A high score on conscientiousness indicates that you prefer order, like to plan things and make sure things get done. You’ll probably have a to-do list (or several!). A low score on conscientiousness indicates that you will prefer more spontaneity and will tend to be more easy-going.

Emotional Stability

Would you say the following statements describe you?

• Am relaxed most of the time
• Seldom feel blue
• Am not easily bothered by things
• Rarely get irritated
• Seldom get mad

Or would you say that these statements describe you?

• Get stressed out easily
• Worry about things
• Am easily disturbed
• Change my mood a lot
• Have frequent mood swings

If you feel that the first group of statements is a better reflection of who you are most of the time then you are more emotionally stable. If you feel that the second group of statements is a better reflection of who you are most of the time then you are less emotionally stable.

Emotional stability is the degree to which you tend to stay on an even keel, emotionally. A high score on emotional stability means that you are more likely to be calm and not experience large “highs” and “lows”. A low score on emotional stability means that you are more likely to be affected emotionally by events going on around you and are more likely to feel angry or anxious as well as more likely to feel exuberant and passionate

Agreeableness

Would you say the following statements describe you?

• Sympathise with others’ feelings
• Have a soft heart
• Feel others’ emotions
• Make people feel at ease

Or would you say these statements describe you?

• Am not really interested in others
• Don’t mind if I insult people by accident
• Am not interested in other people’s problems
• Feel little concern for others

If the first group of statements described you more than the second group, then you are probably high on agreeableness. If the second group of statements described you more than the first then you are probably low on agreeableness.

Agreeableness is the degree to which you get on with others. A high score on agreeableness indicates that you tend to cooperate with and trust others, and try to get along with them. A low score on agreeableness indicates that you are more suspicious of other people and are less inclined to trust them.

Openness to Experience

Would you say these statements describe you?

• Am not interested in abstract ideas
• Do not like art or poetry
• Avoid philosophical discussions
• Do not enjoy going to art museums
• Tend to vote for conservative political candidates

Or would you say these statements describe you?

• Believe in the importance of art
• Have a vivid imagination
• Tend to vote for liberal (progressive) political candidates
• Enjoy hearing new ideas

If you feel that the first group of statements is a better reflection of who you are most of the time then you are less open to experience. If you feel that the second group of statements is a better reflection of who you are most of the time then you are more open to experience.

Openness to experience is the degree to which a person likes ambiguity and novelty. A high score on openness to experience indicates that you are curious about the world and are likely to be interested in art or inventions. A low score on openness to experience indicates that you prefer the world around you to be consistent and you are cautious about change.

Now you’ve got a rough idea of your Big Five personality traits you can explore how they are related to your behaviours and attitudes…