Personality Traits Oct 21st

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There are numerous definitions of personality but the majority of them focus on a pattern of behaviors and characteristics that can be used to predict and explain a person’s actions. Psychologists have created personality tests, evaluations, and inventories to examine and analyze personality. The tests are utilized in a wide range of situations. The popular Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), for example, is commonly used as a pre-employment screening tool. Understanding your personality can help you in a variety of ways. Relationships with friends, family, and coworkers, for example, may improve if you recognize that you work well with others or that you require alone time. So let’s dig deeper about personality traits.

To start up, let’s define personality. It refers to all of our thoughts, behavior patterns, and feelings that make us unique. It has an impact on how we see ourselves, and what we believe about others and the world. Many factors influence who we are now, including our genetics, environment, and life experiences. Personality tests are usually divided into two categories: type-focused and trait-focused. 

Type-focused personality tests are based on Carl Jung's theory of personality. According to Jung, individuals fall into one of two categories: introvert or extravert. They are ipsative, meaning, a person is classified as either an introvert or an extravert. The Myers-Briggs personality test is a popular example (MBTI). However, personality psychologists have criticized the MBTI, claiming that it is based on completely unproven concepts, having a limited method of examining personality, and yields inconsistent results.

Trait-focused personality tests are all based on the most well-known and broadly accepted personality trait theory today, The Big 5 theory. These tests provide information rather than hard data, making them a far more effective tool for developing individuals and changing behavior. Rather than being forced into a 'type,' individuals are assessed based on 'how much' of each of the five attributes they possess.

The Big 5 theory shows that personality is made up of 5 broad personality dimensions: 

1.) Openness. People that score well on this trait are curious about the world and other people, ready to learn new things, and participate in new activities. In short, they are more adventurous and creative. While people that score low on this tend to be more traditional and may have difficulty thinking abstractly.

2.) Conscientiousness. Highly conscientious people are usually well-organized and detail-oriented. They think ahead, consider how their actions influence others and keep track of deadlines. 3.) Extraversion. It’s based on excitability, friendliness, talkativeness, assertiveness, and high levels of emotional expressiveness. Higher extraversion means you are outgoing and you feel energized in social situations. While lower extraversion means you are reserved.

4.) Agreeableness. This includes attributes such as trust, kindness, affection, and other prosocial behaviors. The higher agreeableness you have, the more cooperative you are. The lower agreeableness you have the more competitive and sometimes even manipulative you are. 5.) Neuroticism. Focuses on sadness, moodiness, and emotional instability. Mood fluctuations, anxiety, impatience, and sorrow are common in those who score high on this attribute. Those who score low on this are more emotionally stable and resilient.

Each trait exists as a broad spectrum and an individual's personality will land somewhere on the scale. For example, you might be highly extroverted, conscientious, and agreeable, but slightly open and neurotic. The Big 5 traits were proven to be accurate in describing personality in research that looked at people from more than 50 different cultures.