The Big 5 Factors and My Personality - Assignment Example

THE BIG 5 FACTORS AND MY PERSONALITY Contents Contents BIG FIVE FACTORS 2 OPENNESS: 2 My Results: 3 EXTRAVERSION: 4 My Results: 5 My result: 6 CONSCIENTIOUSNESS: 6 My result 7 NEUROTICISM: 7 My results: 8 BARNUM EFFECT: 8 APPENDIX 11 IPIP-NEO Narrative Report 11 Extraversion 12 Extraversion Facets 14 Agreeableness 15 Agreeableness Facets 17 Conscientiousness 18 Conscientiousness Facets 20 Neuroticism 22 Neuroticism Facets 23 Openness to Experience 24 Openness Facets 26 Bibliography 28 BIG FIVE FACTORS The five factor model of Big Five factors related to 5 dimensions of personality which defines the human personality. These dimensions are Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Neuroticism. Each of these dimensions contains a set of specific traits that define them more specifically. These dimensions are used widely by students, psychologists, marketers and researchers to find out more about human personality. Each human being has different and unique personality traits. Psychologists usually take tests to find out the personality type. These tests contain a list of objective questions that find out the behavior, insight, opinion and reaction of human beings in different situations. It finds out the way human being differ with each other in their enduring emotional, interpersonal, experiential, motivational and attitudinal style. According to the answers provided in the test, a score is calculated for every personality dimension and seen in respect of general population. (McCrae & Oliver , 2006) I also took the IPIP Personality test online from http://www.personal.psu.edu/~j5j/IPIP and found out my results. Lets look at each of the five factor model according to my personality and then match my take on these with the results of the test. OPENNESS: Openness to experience relates to ones flexibility to new ideas and openness to change. It signifies that the person welcomes and accepts new ideas, experiences, people, thoughts and situations. People who are open to experience usually appreciate arts, science, music, emotions, and adventure. They tend to be very imaginative, creative, and like to have a variety of different experiences. They are less conservative and stick more to traditional ways. They are usually suspicious about newer ideas and are not comfortable with abstract thoughts and ideas. I think I am slightly more open to experience than general people. I love creativity and new experiences. Throughout my school life, I have been involved in various different experiences. I have participated in debates, I have studied psychology and have taken huge interest in studying business as well, I have been in sports and I am also into reading. This all combines to make me a person with diverse set of experiences. I am thrilled by newer ideas. Whenever I take up a project, I look for creative and out-of-the-box ideas. I believe that one thing can be done in several ways and I always give it a try. I love to travel and go on adventures. Although I am a little afraid of heights but the idea of mountain climbing, hiking and adventurous sports thrill me. Sometimes I hold back due to fear but then I try to calm myself and give these things a go. It is because I love to have thrill and excitement in my life. My being openness to change however does not mean that I do not stay with my traditional values. I am a firm believer of my religion and I like sticking to rules. I like adventure and new ideas but only if they do not contradict with my beliefs. For example I like to have thrill in my life but I would never break rules to do so. I also enjoy the traditional events and festivals with the people around me. My Results: "My result for Openness to Experience is average, indicating that I enjoy tradition but are willing to try new things. My thinking is neither simple nor complex. To others I appear to be a well-educated person but not an intellectual." My score is 41. The result signifies that I have an average Openness to experience or change. This is slightly different from what I thought about myself. My score for imagination is fine and somewhat accurate. Although I appreciate creativity and admire creative people, I myself am not highly imaginative. I have a little above average artistic interests as I love poetry, books, music and painting. My score for emotionality looks slightly inaccurate. It is because I think I am more aware of my emotions than the score signifies. It should have been above 50. I can easily control my emotions and understand them. For instance when I had a fight with my best friend yesterday, I knew how to keep myself cool and I controlled the emotions of anger. My score for adventurous is quiet high. It is because I love trying newer things and I get bored with the same routine. I do not stick to one thing and a same schedule every day. I like variety in my life. From last many years I have experienced so many different things in my life because I like variety in my daily routine. My score for Intellect is quite low. I think it should have been average. Although sometimes I avoid complex situations and things, but I like playing with ideas. EXTRAVERSION: Extraversion means the tendency to be socially active, and the ability to connect and engage with the external world. Extraverts are outgoing, social, energetic, enthusiastic and action-oriented individuals. They enjoy the company of others, talking to them and being the center of attention. I think I am average at extraversion dimension. I am fully of energy, I like connecting with people, I am highly action-oriented, lively and enthusiastic. I do not like being alone and like having my friends around me. But sometimes I do not like huge crowds. Sometimes, it is difficult for me to hit up a conversation with someone if there is nothing common between them. Sometimes I get uncomfortable with too many strangers around me. My Results: "My score on Extraversion is high, indicating that I am sociable, outgoing, energetic, and lively. I prefer to be around people much of the time." My score is 72 My result for extraversion is somewhat correct. I am a friendly person; I have a welcoming attitude towards others. I usually have positive feelings for others have some very intimate friendships. I am highly gregarious as per the results. I enjoy the company of others and I feel the need to connect with them. But I do not like huge crowds if I dont know them. I prefer being with the people who I work with, are old friends or I share some common interest with. Recently when I attended a leadership conference, I was uncomfortable with meeting so many strange people. My score for assertiveness is average which is quiet correct. I like taking charge and being the leader of the group. Recently I have been involved in organizing an event and I enjoyed a leadership position where I delegated tasks to others. However, sometimes I avoid speaking out and putting my opinion in front of others. I like to lead but I do not dominate. My activity level is average which is true. I am energetic and busy in my life. Although sometimes I waste time but if I have a goal, I work very hard. I like to be involved in one or another thing. I highly seek excitement and thrill. And I am considered as a very cheerful, happy-go-lucky person who radiates positive feelings and energy. AGREEABLENESS: Agreeableness signifies an individuals interest in other peoples needs and his/her concern for others. Agreeable people are more aware of the needs of others and like to take interest in their lives. They are friendly, generous, and helpful and comprise their interests with others. They also tend to believe that all human beings are essentially good and have a positive side. I think I am a very agreeable person. All my life, I have valued others opinions and interests. I have spent hours solving my friends problems, I have spent time with those who are less privileged because I feel that it is my responsibility to give them company and happiness. My result: "My result shows that I have a high level of Agreeableness which indicates a strong interest in others needs and well-being. I am pleasant, sympathetic, and cooperative." My score is 91. My result for agreeableness is very correct. It is because I have a strong inclination in fulfilling others needs and strive to work for their wellbeing. For this reason, I have also chosen psychology as my subject because I strive to improve the wellbeing of people. I trust people because I think it is of prime importance to trust people when you live with them. However it does not mean that I trust them blindly at everything. I have a high morality because I am sincere, candid, frank and straightforward. I am highly altruistic as I like helping the needy. I have spent many times with those who needed my help and it gives me utter satisfaction. I have been always involved in flood and earth-quake relief work activities. I like to cooperate with people and I am modest. I believe that all human beings are unique but have a same level of existence. I am very sympathetic towards others because I can feel the pain of others. CONSCIENTIOUSNESS: "Conscientiousness concerns the way in which we control, regulate, and direct our impulses." (Johnson) It signifies the ability to regulate the impulses and control your decision making process. People, who are high on conscientiousness, are prudent and take decisions more carefully. I think my conscientiousness can range from average to high. I do not make rash decisions, I try to think deep and make wise decisions. I am very careful in taking actions. This however does not mean that I waste a lot of time in the decision making process. My result My result on Conscientiousness is high. This means that I set clear goals and pursue them with determination. People regard me as reliable and hard-working. My score is 76 My result is pretty much true. I have a high self-efficacy score which is true. I have confidence in myself and I believe I have strengths to achieve my objectives. I am relatively low on orderliness as I sometimes do not accomplish my tasks in an orderly pattern. My Dutifulness is very high because when I know I am obligated to do something, I make sure I do. I strive very hard to achieve success in the areas I love to work on. I have an average self-discipline because I mostly remain persistent when I have to work on something. But if I fail to achieve it, sometimes I let go. I am also very cautious in my decision making. NEUROTICISM: Neuroticism refers to the tendency to experience negative feelings. People high on neuroticism factor usually suffer from depression, anxiety, stress, anger or any such negative emotion. These people generally get upset easily and are very reactive to stimuli that generate these negative feelings. I am not very reactive to these stimuli and thus do not have a high level of neuroticism. Although sometime I feel blue and take stress, but I always know how to come out of these situations. My results: My score on Neuroticism is low, indicating that I am exceptionally calm, composed and unflappable. I do not react with intense emotions, even to situations that most people would describe as stressful. My result for Neuroticism is true. I very rarely face anxiety. My anger is also low which is true. There are sometimes I get irritated with some external factors and tend to get angry. My depression level is again low to average which is true. I have faced depression in the past, but now I have overcome that face. My self-consciousness is also low. I am not very concerned about what others think of me. I have high immoderation which is true. I have strong craving for food, which is irresistible for me. My vulnerability to stress under pressure is average which is true because I am not very vulnerable to such situations. I have always dealt such situations with calmness. BARNUM EFFECT: Barnum effect refers to the phenomenon when people tend to willingly give their approval and acceptance to the results of the personality tests. (Snyder, Shenkel, & Lowery, 1977) These tests are put in a way that they seem to be specifically tailored for the individual. However in real they are very vague and general and are applicable to a wide variety of people. Even highly trained professionals and students fail to realize that the results of these tests are very general and can be true for anyone. There are statements like "Sometimes you feel blue, while other times you are happy". Such statements are true for most people as it does not give specific personality evaluation. This holds true for me as well. I usually accept willingly the results and try to find out more about me through these tests. The results given after the test so perfectly fit my personality that I fail to recognize that these answers are same for many people. I think Barnum affect influences all of us in one way or another be it psychology students. APPENDIX IPIP-NEO Narrative Report This report compares istinoidukixamiasooxila from the country Angola to other women of traditional college age. (The name used in this report is either a nickname chosen by the person taking the test, or, if a valid nickname was not chosen, a random nickname generated by the program.) This report estimates the individuals level on each of the five broad personality domains of the Five-Factor Model. The description of each one of the five broad domains is followed by a more detailed description of personality according to the six subdomains that comprise each domain. A note on terminology. Personality traits describe, relative to other people, the frequency or intensity of a persons feelings, thoughts, or behaviors. Possession of a trait is therefore a matter of degree. We might describe two individuals as extraverts, but still see one as more extraverted than the other. This report uses expressions such as "extravert" or "high in extraversion" to describe someone who is likely to be seen by others as relatively extraverted. The computer program that generates this report classifies you as low, average, or high in a trait according to whether your score is approximately in the lowest 30%, middle 40%, or highest 30% of scores obtained by people of your sex and roughly your age. Your numerical scores are reported and graphed as percentile estimates. For example, a score of "60" means that your level on that trait is estimated to be higher than 60% of persons of your sex and age. Please keep in mind that "low," "average," and "high" scores on a personality test are neither absolutely good nor bad. A particular level on any trait will probably be neutral or irrelevant for a great many activites, be helpful for accomplishing some things, and detrimental for accomplishing other things. As with any personality inventory, scores and descriptions can only approximate an individuals actual personality. High and low score descriptions are usually accurate, but average scores close to the low or high boundaries might misclassify you as only average. On each set of six subdomain scales it is somewhat uncommon but certainly possible to score high in some of the subdomains and low in the others. In such cases more attention should be paid to the subdomain scores than to the broad domain score. Questions about the accuracy of your results are best resolved by showing your report to people who know you well. John A. Johnson wrote descriptions of the five domains and thirty subdomains. These descriptions are based on an extensive reading of the scientific literature on personality measurement. Although Dr. Johnson would like to be acknowledged as the author of these materials if they are reproduced, he has placed them in the public domain. Extraversion Extraversion is marked by pronounced engagement with the external world. Extraverts enjoy being with people, are full of energy, and often experience positive emotions. They tend to be enthusiastic, action-oriented, individuals who are likely to say "Yes!" or "Lets go!" to opportunities for excitement. In groups they like to talk, assert themselves, and draw attention to themselves. Introverts lack the exuberance, energy, and activity levels of extraverts. They tend to be quiet, low-key, deliberate, and disengaged from the social world. Their lack of social involvement should not be interpreted as shyness or depression; the introvert simply needs less stimulation than an extravert and prefers to be alone. The independence and reserve of the introvert is sometimes mistaken as unfriendliness or arrogance. In reality, an introvert who scores high on the agreeableness dimension will not seek others out but will be quite pleasant when approached. Domain/Facet........... Score 0--------10--------20--------30--------40--------50--------60--------70--------80--------90--------99 EXTRAVERSION...............72 ************************************************************************ ..Friendliness.............46 ********************************************** ..Gregariousness...........66 ****************************************************************** ..Assertiveness............63 *************************************************************** ..ActivityLevel...........65 ***************************************************************** ..Excitement-Seeking.......74 ************************************************************************** ..Cheerfulness.............86 ************************************************************************************** Your score on Extraversion is high, indicating you are sociable, outgoing, energetic, and lively. You prefer to be around people much of the time. Extraversion Facets Friendliness. Friendly people genuinely like other people and openly demonstrate positive feelings toward others. They make friends quickly and it is easy for them to form close, intimate relationships. Low scorers on Friendliness are not necessarily cold and hostile, but they do not reach out to others and are perceived as distant and reserved. Your level of friendliness is average. Gregariousness. Gregarious people find the company of others pleasantly stimulating and rewarding. They enjoy the excitement of crowds. Low scorers tend to feel overwhelmed by, and therefore actively avoid, large crowds. They do not necessarily dislike being with people sometimes, but their need for privacy and time to themselves is much greater than for individuals who score high on this scale. Your level of gregariousness is average. Assertiveness. High scorers Assertiveness like to speak out, take charge, and direct the activities of others. They tend to be leaders in groups. Low scorers tend not to talk much and let others control the activities of groups. Your level of assertiveness is average. Activity Level. Active individuals lead fast-paced, busy lives. They move about quickly, energetically, and vigorously, and they are involved in many activities. People who score low on this scale follow a slower and more leisurely, relaxed pace. Your activity level is average. Excitement-Seeking. High scorers on this scale are easily bored without high levels of stimulation. They love bright lights and hustle and bustle. They are likely to take risks and seek thrills. Low scorers are overwhelmed by noise and commotion and are adverse to thrill-seeking. Your level of excitement-seeking is high. Cheerfulness. This scale measures positive mood and feelings, not negative emotions (which are a part of the Neuroticism domain). Persons who score high on this scale typically experience a range of positive feelings, including happiness, enthusiasm, optimism, and joy. Low scorers are not as prone to such energetic, high spirits. Your level of positive emotions is high. Agreeableness Agreeableness reflects individual differences in concern with cooperation and social harmony. Agreeable individuals value getting along with others. They are therefore considerate, friendly, generous, helpful, and willing to compromise their interests with others. Agreeable people also have an optimistic view of human nature. They believe people are basically honest, decent, and trustworthy. Disagreeable individuals place self-interest above getting along with others. They are generally unconcerned with others well-being, and therefore are unlikely to extend themselves for other people. Sometimes their skepticism about others motives causes them to be suspicious, unfriendly, and uncooperative. Agreeableness is obviously advantageous for attaining and maintaining popularity. Agreeable people are better liked than disagreeable people. On the other hand, agreeableness is not useful in situations that require tough or absolute objective decisions. Disagreeable people can make excellent scientists, critics, or soldiers. Domain/Facet........... Score 0--------10--------20--------30--------40--------50--------60--------70--------80--------90--------99 AGREEABLENESS..............91 ******************************************************************************************* ..Trust....................81 ********************************************************************************* ..Morality.................75 *************************************************************************** ..Altruism.................86 ************************************************************************************** ..Cooperation..............70 ********************************************************************** ..Modesty..................79 ******************************************************************************* ..Sympathy.................93 ********************************************************************************************* Your high level of Agreeableness indicates a strong interest in others needs and well-being. You are pleasant, sympathetic, and cooperative. Agreeableness Facets Trust. A person with high trust assumes that most people are fair, honest, and have good intentions. Persons low in trust see others as selfish, devious, and potentially dangerous. Your level of trust is high. Morality. High scorers on this scale see no need for pretense or manipulation when dealing with others and are therefore candid, frank, and sincere. Low scorers believe that a certain amount of deception in social relationships is necessary. People find it relatively easy to relate to the straightforward high-scorers on this scale. They generally find it more difficult to relate to the unstraightforward low-scorers on this scale. It should be made clear that low scorers are not unprincipled or immoral; they are simply more guarded and less willing to openly reveal the whole truth. Your level of morality is high. Altruism. Altruistic people find helping other people genuinely rewarding. Consequently, they are generally willing to assist those who are in need. Altruistic people find that doing things for others is a form of self-fulfillment rather than self-sacrifice. Low scorers on this scale do not particularly like helping those in need. Requests for help feel like an imposition rather than an opportunity for self-fulfillment. Your level of altruism is high. Cooperation. Individuals who score high on this scale dislike confrontations. They are perfectly willing to compromise or to deny their own needs in order to get along with others. Those who score low on this scale are more likely to intimidate others to get their way. Your level of compliance is high. Modesty. High scorers on this scale do not like to claim that they are better than other people. In some cases this attitude may derive from low self-confidence or self-esteem. Nonetheless, some people with high self-esteem find immodesty unseemly. Those who are willing to describe themselves as superior tend to be seen as disagreeably arrogant by other people. Your level of modesty is high. Sympathy. People who score high on this scale are tenderhearted and compassionate. They feel the pain of others vicariously and are easily moved to pity. Low scorers are not affected strongly by human suffering. They pride themselves on making objective judgments based on reason. They are more concerned with truth and impartial justice than with mercy. Your level of tender-mindedness is high. Conscientiousness Conscientiousness concerns the way in which we control, regulate, and direct our impulses. Impulses are not inherently bad; occasionally time constraints require a snap decision, and acting on our first impulse can be an effective response. Also, in times of play rather than work, acting spontaneously and impulsively can be fun. Impulsive individuals can be seen by others as colorful, fun-to-be-with, and zany. Nonetheless, acting on impulse can lead to trouble in a number of ways. Some impulses are antisocial. Uncontrolled antisocial acts not only harm other members of society, but also can result in retribution toward the perpetrator of such impulsive acts. Another problem with impulsive acts is that they often produce immediate rewards but undesirable, long-term consequences. Examples include excessive socializing that leads to being fired from ones job, hurling an insult that causes the breakup of an important relationship, or using pleasure-inducing drugs that eventually destroy ones health. Impulsive behavior, even when not seriously destructive, diminishes a persons effectiveness in significant ways. Acting impulsively disallows contemplating alternative courses of action, some of which would have been wiser than the impulsive choice. Impulsivity also sidetracks people during projects that require organized sequences of steps or stages. Accomplishments of an impulsive person are therefore small, scattered, and inconsistent. A hallmark of intelligence, what potentially separates human beings from earlier life forms, is the ability to think about future consequences before acting on an impulse. Intelligent activity involves contemplation of long-range goals, organizing and planning routes to these goals, and persisting toward ones goals in the face of short-lived impulses to the contrary. The idea that intelligence involves impulse control is nicely captured by the term prudence, an alternative label for the Conscientiousness domain. Prudent means both wise and cautious. Persons who score high on the Conscientiousness scale are, in fact, perceived by others as intelligent. The benefits of high conscientiousness are obvious. Conscientious individuals avoid trouble and achieve high levels of success through purposeful planning and persistence. They are also positively regarded by others as intelligent and reliable. On the negative side, they can be compulsive perfectionists and workaholics. Furthermore, extremely conscientious individuals might be regarded as stuffy and boring. Unconscientious people may be criticized for their unreliability, lack of ambition, and failure to stay within the lines, but they will experience many short-lived pleasures and they will never be called stuffy. Domain/Facet........... Score 0--------10--------20--------30--------40--------50--------60--------70--------80--------90--------99 CONSCIENTIOUSNESS..........76 **************************************************************************** ..Self-Efficacy............89 ***************************************************************************************** ..Orderliness..............26 ************************** ..Dutifulness..............87 *************************************************************************************** ..Achievement-Striving.....89 ***************************************************************************************** ..Self-Discipline..........58 ********************************************************** ..Cautiousness.............71 *********************************************************************** Your score on Conscientiousness is high. This means you set clear goals and pursue them with determination. People regard you as reliable and hard-working. Conscientiousness Facets Self-Efficacy. Self-Efficacy describes confidence in ones ability to accomplish things. High scorers believe they have the intelligence (common sense), drive, and self-control necessary for achieving success. Low scorers do not feel effective, and may have a sense that they are not in control of their lives. Your level of self-efficacy is high. Orderliness. Persons with high scores on orderliness are well-organized. They like to live according to routines and schedules. They keep lists and make plans. Low scorers tend to be disorganized and scattered. Your level of orderliness is low. Dutifulness. This scale reflects the strength of a persons sense of duty and obligation. Those who score high on this scale have a strong sense of moral obligation. Low scorers find contracts, rules, and regulations overly confining. They are likely to be seen as unreliable or even irresponsible. Your level of dutifulness is high. Achievement-Striving. Individuals who score high on this scale strive hard to achieve excellence. Their drive to be recognized as successful keeps them on track toward their lofty goals. They often have a strong sense of direction in life, but extremely high scores may be too single-minded and obsessed with their work. Low scorers are content to get by with a minimal amount of work, and might be seen by others as lazy. Your level of achievement striving is high. Self-Discipline. Self-discipline-what many people call will-power-refers to the ability to persist at difficult or unpleasant tasks until they are completed. People who possess high self-discipline are able to overcome reluctance to begin tasks and stay on track despite distractions. Those with low self-discipline procrastinate and show poor follow-through, often failing to complete tasks-even tasks they want very much to complete. Your level of self-discipline is average. Cautiousness. Cautiousness describes the disposition to think through possibilities before acting. High scorers on the Cautiousness scale take their time when making decisions. Low scorers often say or do first thing that comes to mind without deliberating alternatives and the probable consequences of those alternatives. Your level of cautiousness is high. Neuroticism Freud originally used the term neurosis to describe a condition marked by mental distress, emotional suffering, and an inability to cope effectively with the normal demands of life. He suggested that everyone shows some signs of neurosis, but that we differ in our degree of suffering and our specific symptoms of distress. Today neuroticism refers to the tendency to experience negative feelings. Those who score high on Neuroticism may experience primarily one specific negative feeling such as anxiety, anger, or depression, but are likely to experience several of these emotions. People high in neuroticism are emotionally reactive. They respond emotionally to events that would not affect most people, and their reactions tend to be more intense than normal. They are more likely to interpret ordinary situations as threatening, and minor frustrations as hopelessly difficult. Their negative emotional reactions tend to persist for unusually long periods of time, which means they are often in a bad mood. These problems in emotional regulation can diminish a neurotics ability to think clearly, make decisions, and cope effectively with stress. At the other end of the scale, individuals who score low in neuroticism are less easily upset and are less emotionally reactive. They tend to be calm, emotionally stable, and free from persistent negative feelings. Freedom from negative feelings does not mean that low scorers experience a lot of positive feelings; frequency of positive emotions is a component of the Extraversion domain. Domain/Facet........... Score 0--------10--------20--------30--------40--------50--------60--------70--------80--------90--------99 NEUROTICISM................18 ****************** ..Anxiety..................2 ** ..Anger....................21 ********************* ..Depression...............19 ******************* ..Self-Consciousness.......25 ************************* ..Immoderation.............72 ************************************************************************ ..Vulnerability............47 *********************************************** Your score on Neuroticism is low, indicating that you are exceptionally calm, composed and unflappable. You do not react with intense emotions, even to situations that most people would describe as stressful. Neuroticism Facets Anxiety. The "fight-or-flight" system of the brain of anxious individuals is too easily and too often engaged. Therefore, people who are high in anxiety often feel like something dangerous is about to happen. They may be afraid of specific situations or be just generally fearful. They feel tense, jittery, and nervous. Persons low in Anxiety are generally calm and fearless. Your level of anxiety is low. Anger. Persons who score high in Anger feel enraged when things do not go their way. They are sensitive about being treated fairly and feel resentful and bitter when they feel they are being cheated. This scale measures the tendency to feel angry; whether or not the person expresses annoyance and hostility depends on the individuals level on Agreeableness. Low scorers do not get angry often or easily. Your level of anger is low. Depression. This scale measures the tendency to feel sad, dejected, and discouraged. High scorers lack energy and have difficult initiating activities. Low scorers tend to be free from these depressive feelings. Your level of depression is low. Self-Consciousness. Self-conscious individuals are sensitive about what others think of them. Their concern about rejection and ridicule cause them to feel shy and uncomfortable abound others. They are easily embarrassed and often feel ashamed. Their fears that others will criticize or make fun of them are exaggerated and unrealistic, but their awkwardness and discomfort may make these fears a self-fulfilling prophecy. Low scorers, in contrast, do not suffer from the mistaken impression that everyone is watching and judging them. They do not feel nervous in social situations. Your level or self-consciousness is low. Immoderation. Immoderate individuals feel strong cravings and urges that they have have difficulty resisting. They tend to be oriented toward short-term pleasures and rewards rather than long- term consequences. Low scorers do not experience strong, irresistible cravings and consequently do not find themselves tempted to overindulge. Your level of immoderation is high. Vulnerability. High scorers on Vulnerability experience panic, confusion, and helplessness when under pressure or stress. Low scorers feel more poised, confident, and clear-thinking when stressed. Your level of vulnerability is average. Openness to Experience Openness to Experience describes a dimension of cognitive style that distinguishes imaginative, creative people from down-to-earth, conventional people. Open people are intellectually curious, appreciative of art, and sensitive to beauty. They tend to be, compared to closed people, more aware of their feelings. They tend to think and act in individualistic and nonconforming ways. Intellectuals typically score high on Openness to Experience; consequently, this factor has also been called Culture or Intellect. Nonetheless, Intellect is probably best regarded as one aspect of openness to experience. Scores on Openness to Experience are only modestly related to years of education and scores on standard intelligent tests. Another characteristic of the open cognitive style is a facility for thinking in symbols and abstractions far removed from concrete experience. Depending on the individuals specific intellectual abilities, this symbolic cognition may take the form of mathematical, logical, or geometric thinking, artistic and metaphorical use of language, music composition or performance, or one of the many visual or performing arts. People with low scores on openness to experience tend to have narrow, common interests. They prefer the plain, straightforward, and obvious over the complex, ambiguous, and subtle. They may regard the arts and sciences with suspicion, regarding these endeavors as abstruse or of no practical use. Closed people prefer familiarity over novelty; they are conservative and resistant to change. Openness is often presented as healthier or more mature by psychologists, who are often themselves open to experience. However, open and closed styles of thinking are useful in different environments. The intellectual style of the open person may serve a professor well, but research has shown that closed thinking is related to superior job performance in police work, sales, and a number of service occupations. Domain/Facet........... Score 0--------10--------20--------30--------40--------50--------60--------70--------80--------90--------99 OPENNESS TO EXPERIENCE.....41 ***************************************** ..Imagination..............32 ******************************** ..Artistic Interests.......53 ***************************************************** ..Emotionality.............42 ****************************************** ..Adventurousness..........59 *********************************************************** ..Intellect................30 ****************************** ..Liberalism...............49 ************************************************* Your score on Openness to Experience is average, indicating you enjoy tradition but are willing to try new things. Your thinking is neither simple nor complex. To others you appear to be a well-educated person but not an intellectual. Openness Facets Imagination. To imaginative individuals, the real world is often too plain and ordinary. High scorers on this scale use fantasy as a way of creating a richer, more interesting world. Low scorers are on this scale are more oriented to facts than fantasy. Your level of imagination is low. Artistic Interests. High scorers on this scale love beauty, both in art and in nature. They become easily involved and absorbed in artistic and natural events. They are not necessarily artistically trained nor talented, although many will be. The defining features of this scale are interest in, and appreciation of natural and artificial beauty. Low scorers lack aesthetic sensitivity and interest in the arts. Your level of artistic interests is average. Emotionality. Persons high on Emotionality have good access to and awareness of their own feelings. Low scorers are less aware of their feelings and tend not to express their emotions openly. Your level of emotionality is average. Adventurousness. High scorers on adventurousness are eager to try new activities, travel to foreign lands, and experience different things. They find familiarity and routine boring, and will take a new route home just because it is different. Low scorers tend to feel uncomfortable with change and prefer familiar routines. Your level of adventurousness is average. Intellect. Intellect and artistic interests are the two most important, central aspects of openness to experience. High scorers on Intellect love to play with ideas. They are open-minded to new and unusual ideas, and like to debate intellectual issues. They enjoy riddles, puzzles, and brain teasers. Low scorers on Intellect prefer dealing with either people or things rather than ideas. They regard intellectual exercises as a waste of time. Intellect should not be equated with intelligence. Intellect is an intellectual style, not an intellectual ability, although high scorers on Intellect score slightly higher than low-Intellect individuals on standardized intelligence tests. Your level of intellect is low. Liberalism. Psychological liberalism refers to a readiness to challenge authority, convention, and traditional values. In its most extreme form, psychological liberalism can even represent outright hostility toward rules, sympathy for law-breakers, and love of ambiguity, chaos, and disorder. Psychological conservatives prefer the security and stability brought by conformity to tradition. Psychological liberalism and conservatism are not identical to political affiliation, but certainly incline individuals toward certain political parties. Your level of liberalism is average. Bibliography Johnson, J. A. (n.d.). IPIP-NEO Narrative Report. McCrae, R. R., & Oliver , J. P. (2006). An Introduction to the Five-Factor Model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 253. Snyder, C. R., Shenkel, R. J., & Lowery, a. C. (1977). Acceptance of Personality Interpretations: The "Barnum" effect and Beyond. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. Read More