What the studies can tell us about who you are.
The Big Five Personality test is one of the only tests used to assess personality in modern-day psychological research.
The test assesses people based on five "factors" or primary personality traits, which can be remembered from the acronym "OCEAN."
These are as follows: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
Take the test here and then come back to this article for an in-depth exploration of the research, ideas, and thoughts behind these traits .
Openness to Experience
Openness to Experience refers to an individual's level of unconventionality, interest in new experiences and perspectives, and sensitivity to beauty.
Scoring high in openness to experience signifies that you may be more appreciative of art and intellectual stimulation. You may have more liberal values, appreciating change and advancement. You enjoy being surprised and are curious about the world around you.
According to studies, scoring high in openness to experience also means that you are more likely...
To have a preference for “complex” and “unconventional” genres—e.g. documentaries, nonfiction books, literary novels, and surrealism.
To have a need for aesthetic experiences, intellectual stimulation, and variety.
To read more books, go to more concerts, and visit museums more often.
To have greater levels of sexual satisfaction (particularly if you're a woman).
To enjoy jazz and metal music and like abstract art.
To have fewer children and to delay childbirth.
To use cannabis.
To experience “aesthetic chills” while listening to certain music.
To experience vivid dreams.
To have more liberal sexual attitudes and more sexual experiences.
To have a higher IQ.
To have a sense of humour that produces laughter in others.
To be more trusting toward people from different cultures.
To identify as homosexual.
On the other hand, scoring low in openness to experience means that you prefer routine and familiarity. You're likely more resistant to change and novelty, preferring to stick with what's traditional and known to you. People may perceive you as more close-minded.
According to studies, scoring low in openness to experience also means that you are more likely...
To never experience depression or bipolar disorder.
To have unfavourable attitudes toward homosexuals.
To enjoy pop or country music.
To be intolerant of unconventional groups.
To forget your dreams.
Conscientiousness
Conscientiousness refers to an individual's level of organization, responsibility, self-discipline, and reliability.
Scoring high in conscientiousness signifies that you have many goals in life which you take seriously. You're less likely to make impulsive or erratic decisions; you're level-headed and can remain focused on the task at hand. Your choices are deliberate; you enjoy engaging in a schedule or planning ahead. You also are more likely to take care of yourself through exercise, proper sleep, and healthy eating.
According to studies, scoring high in conscientiousness also means that you are more likely...
To enjoy romance novels, along with those high in agreeableness.
To be disinterested in intense genres like horror, erotica, or late-night talk shows, alongside those high in agreeableness.
To prefer informational books and light books.
To earn more money.
To have greater academic performance.
Scoring low in conscientiousness, on the other hand, suggests that you may struggle to plan ahead or prioritize important tasks. You may be more likely to be lazy, spontaneous, and procrastinate. You may be quicker to give up when something seems tough.
According to studies, scoring low in conscientiousness also means that you are more likely...
To be frail and vulnerable to chronic illness and institutionalization.
To doomscroll, experience fear of missing out, and experience social media addiction alongside those low in extraversion and agreeableness.
To want to be a parent.
To have a desire for chaos if you also identify as being conservative.
To avoid laughing (or laugh less often).
Extraversion
Extraversion refers to an individual's level of outgoing behaviours and sociability.
Scoring high in extraversion means you love to be surrounded by people. Big parties energize you, and you get excited about talking to others and meeting new friends. You don't mind being the centre of attention and are full of excitement. You are expressive in your emotions and thoughts and enjoy sharing your ideas with the world.
According to studies, scoring high in extraversion also means that you are more likely...
To use coping strategies such as seeking social support in times of stress.
To enjoy westerns, horror movies, and popular magazines.
To misuse cocaine, crack and other stimulants.
To strive for power and status.
To use social media more, spending over two hours daily on it.
To be a woman.
To be interested in short-term mating opportunities over long term.
To enjoy rap music.
To prefer immediate rewards.
To be involved in extreme sports.
Scoring low on extraversion just means that you have more introvert tendencies (side note: I often wonder why they chose "extraversion" as the scale - why not introversion, and then scoring low makes you an extrovert? Another example of society being biased toward extroverts. But I digress). This means you tend to keep to yourself, requiring less external stimulation and preferring low-key activities. You probably have a smaller social battery, and can enjoy social activities, but in smaller amounts.
According to studies, scoring low in extraversion also means that you are more likely...
To doomscroll, experience fear-of-missing-out, and experience social media addiction, alongside those low in conscientiousness and agreeableness.
To care less about having power or social status.
To be more interested in long-term mating opportunities than short-term ones.
To be a librarian.
To listen more than speak.
To engage in solitary leisure activities.
To enjoy one-on-one conversations.
To be more sociable around people you're close and comfortable with.
To be a man.
Agreeableness
Agreeableness refers to an individual's tendency to be kind and empathetic toward the needs of others.
Scoring high in agreeableness signifies that you trust the people around you and find it easy to be affectionate. You likely enjoy helping and can cooperate with many people. You are less likely to be egocentric as you priotize the needs of everyone rather than just yourself. Sometimes you may avoid standing up for yourself or speaking up - you feel uncomfortable with the idea of insulting others or questioning their intentions.
According to studies, scoring high in agreeableness also means that you are more likely...
To enjoy romance novels alongside those high in conscientiousness.
To be a woman.
To have less prejudiced attitudes.
To have a good work-life balance.
To be disinterested in intense genres like horror, erotica, or late-night talk shows, alongside those high in conscientiousness.
To prefer light movies and books—“the more people show concern for the welfare of others, the more they tend to prefer relatively simple genres.”
To prioritize long-term relationships over short-term ones.
To be dependent on others.
To care about personal growth.
To follow social norms and rules.
To overall be satisfied with their lives and have greater contentment.
On the other hand, scoring low in agreeableness means you're less likely to get along with others. You're independent and not always cooperative. You are not easily swayed or moved by emotions. You might be competitive and antagonistic, as well as hostile.
According to studies, scoring low in agreeableness also means that you are more likely...
To be a man.
To use illicit opioids.
To be interested in social recognition and independence.
To use swear words.
To be goal-driven and achievement-seeking.
To experience sexual dysfunction.
To receive lower job performance evaluations from peers, but also receive a higher salary.
To be assertive.
To use your mobile phone problematically.
To prioritize short-term relationships over long-term ones.
To abuse substances.
Neuroticism
Neuroticism refers to one's tendency to experience more negative emotions, such as depression, anxiety and self-doubt.
Scoring high in neuroticism means you are more likely to worry about the future, have many mood swings, get easily irritated and take things personally. You're more likely to see the negative in the world around you - and yourself.
According to studies, scoring high in agreeableness also means that you are more likely...
To be affectionate toward your pets.
To use coping strategies such as avoidance when dealing with stress.
To be disinterested in action movies or comics.
To use social media in a “passive” way rather than creating your own content.
To be vulnerable to stressful TV shows or movies.
To be aggressive in relationships and friendships.
To misuse prescription drugs.
To suffer from an eating disorder.
To report lower life satisfaction, higher loneliness, fewer friends, and lower interpersonal trust.
To be a woman.
To behave inconsistently in social interactions.
To fear communicating via phone or the internet.
To use music as a way to regulate your negative emotions.
Scoring low in neuroticism means that you're confident. You can easily relax when stressful situations show up. You don't take things personally and go with the flow. You don't tend to experience the "highs and lows" of emotions: you seem to be in the middle, drifting along. This isn't to say you're always happy, but you tend not to get upset over the little things.
According to studies, scoring low in neuroticism also means that you are more likely...
To have happy marriages.
To trust superstitions.
To have better sleep quality.
To have higher reports of negative emotion (including anxiety, hostility, and shame) following sleep deprivation.
To be grateful and emotionally intelligent.
Overall, learning about Big Five Personality traits and what they can imply is extremely fun and eye-opening.
Let me know what your scores were in the comments below!
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