A Quick Overview of the Big Five Model of Personality
Dimension I: Extraversion
This dimension addresses a person's preference for sociability and interactivity (high Extraversion, or E+) versus solitude and privacy (low Extraversion, or E-). E+ types tend to be quick to self-disclose, to process information out loud, to seek high levels of activity (to be outwardly busy), and to seek generalist work roles. E- types tend to be slow to self-disclosure (or selective about self-disclosure), to process information inwardly, to seek low levels of activity (to be inwardly busy), and to seek specialist work roles.
Dimension II: Openness
This dimension addresses a person's preference for abstract ideas and possibilities (high Openness, or O+) versus concrete realities and facts (low Openness, or O-). O+ types focus on thinking about the world as it might be, are more theory-driven, and tend to focus on the possibility or opportunity side of change (which, depending on their core values, may make them more "liberal"). O- types focus on acting in the world as it is now, are more application- or practice-driven, and tend to focus on the threat or risk side of change (which, depending on their core values, may make them more "conservative"). Under stress, O+ types tend to obsess, O- types to catastrophize. When solving problems, O+ types habitually try to widen or broaden the question (ask the biggest possible question first), while O- types habitually try to narrow the question (ask the smallest possible question first). To some extent, O+ types are more nonlinear, O- types more linear, in thought processes and learning styles.
Dimension III: Agreeableness
This dimension measures cooperative (high Agreeableness or A+) versus competitive (low Agreeableness or A-) approaches to interactions with others. A+ types usually describe themselves as empathic, sensitive, harmony-seeking; they like tasks and situations in which "everyone wins". A- types usually describe themselves as impersonal, analytical, outcome-driven; they like tasks and situations in which there are clear winners and losers. Correlated to the above, A+ types tend to decide subjectively ("with the heart") on the basis of personal values (but may find it hard to see the dark side of something they value, or may overidealize valued persons and situations), while A- types tend to decide objectively ("with the head") on the basis of impersonal logic (but may fail to factor in subjective or emotional considerations, or may strike others as too cold-bloodedly analytical).
Dimension IV: Conscientiousness
This dimension measures convergent, task oriented (high Conscientiousness or C+) versus divergent, process oriented (low Conscientiousness or C-) work styles. C+ types usually describe themselves as organized, structured, systematic, early starters with steady work habits; they lose efficiency in low structure situations (needing stability), and usually adopt a "work first, play later," serious minded stance to life. C- types usually describe themselves as spontaneous, flexible, adaptable, "feast or famine" workers who rely on bursts of enthusiasm or energy; they lose efficiency in high structure situations (needing autonomy), and usually adopt a "mix work and play", fun loving stance to life. (Note: all of us can be both serious minded and fun loving; but C+ types tend to keep the humor inside, C- types to keep the seriousness inside. This dimension measures what shows on the outside, which is not always the most important aspect of the person.) C+ types tend to focus heavily on image management (how they look to others), while C- types tend to neglect or ignore such considerations. C+ types can easily be too rigid or inflexible, while C- types can struggle with disorganization or procrastination.
Dimension V: Negative Emotionality
This dimension measures characteristic responses to stress. (It does not measure anxiety proneness in a clinical sense; both poles are normal personality variants.) High Negative Emotionality or N+ types are more emotionally labile (have a wider emotional range or more mood swings), experience and express anxiety directly (verbally), and tend to be more prone to such mood states as worry, self-doubt, and guilt. Low Negative Emotionality or N- types are more emotionally stable (have a narrower emotional range or fewer mood swings), experience and express anxiety indirectly (they engage in "anxiety binding" or the "somatization" of anxiety), and tend to be less prone to negative mood states. While our culture probably values N- over N+, it should be stated clearly that N+ is not only a normal variant but can be an adaptive one (it is, among other things, arguably more authentic, can lead to greater levels of compassion for fellow strugglers, and so forth).
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