The Big Five

THE BIG FIVE

The Big Five is currently the most accepted personality model in the scientific community. It emerged from the work of multiple independent scientists/researchers starting in the 1950s who using different techniques obtained similar results. Those results were that there are five distinct personality traits/dimensions.
My extroversion results are 74% which suggests I am, at times, overly talkative and outgoing. Introverted people are more quiet and reserved, though recent research shows that sometimes introverts can be just as gregarious in social situations as extroverts; the key seems to be in the source of energy. Extroverts gain energy from social situations, whereas introverts gain energy from solitude. This is exactly true for me. I have never been the type to gain energy from solitude. Although now that I am older, I prefer quiet time to myself and am not as sociable as I used to be.
I scored 65% on openness to experience, which is characterized by originality, imagination, independence, curiosity, and broadmindedness. People low in this trait tends to be conventional, down to earth, and more likely to choose something familiar over something new and untried. That is quite the opposite for me. I absolutely love change and see it as a challenge. Research suggests that openness to experience is related to coping strategies. A large study of people who had experienced stressful events noted that subjects high in openness to experience used humor as a coping mechanism, whereas subjects low in the trait tended to rely on faith (in God or in others). I am actually surprised I didn’t score higher because I have dealt with a lot of abuse as a child and although I know it caused me many problems and huge setbacks. It has been a long, confusing path but I think I made it out somewhat O.K.
I scored a 41% in conscientiousness which is characterized by dependability, efficiency, persistence, and a strong sense of order. These are the people that can be relied on no matter what. People low in the trait tends to be disorganized, irresponsible, and careless. Research in this area indicates that conscientiousness may account for the missing link between aptitude scores and academic performance. The test stated that I am neither organized nor disorganized. I hate to admit it but that is pretty accurate. I think I am very organized. I remember when I was younger how perfect everything had to be like in my cupboards for example: All the cans, boxes etc. had be facing forward and organized by size. But now that I am older, I don’t have time for all that. In my mind, I look at my cupboard now and am horrified. There is no system or order at all.
I scored a 96% on agreeableness. People high in this trait are described as kind, sincere, courteous, helpful, patient, honest, and cooperative. They are committed to friends, family, and the general good of society. People scoring low tend to be argumentative, cruel, untrustworthy, and manipulative. Both agreeableness and conscientiousness have been found to correlate with psychological well-being. I may not be as patient as the test claims. But all the rest is pretty spot-on.
In neuroticism, I scored a 1%, and is characterized by anxiety, nervousness, self-consciousness, and moodiness. The opposite of neuroticism, is emotional stability. These people tend to be relaxed, secure and calm. Research suggests that high neuroticism is associated with lessened ability to adapt to social situations. I did answer the question to the best of my ability. I don’t agree with the score though. I do get stressed out and nervous, I have a son/teenager. But generally, I am not the kind of person to be nervous or moody. I can say I have been through hell and back several times, especially throughout my childhood which in turn caused a lot of mayhem in adulthood. Maybe I have been programed from a young age to handle very stressful events? Or maybe I have learned from childhood to dangerously repress and I am not aware of it yet? I don’t think so but maybe I will find out in time when I delve deeper into the study of psychology.