Big 5
Scotty Williams
K. Williams, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Gordon Allport regarded traits as a learned and culture-specifier rather than an inherited ones, while “Types” are a regarded as a collection of different traits that may occur together in some differing individuals. People have many distinctive characteristics we use to describe them, however it is difficult to assign an individual to a “Type” because that usually involves overlooking the individual's unique characteristics that set them apart. That is why primary and secondary traits were created. The difference between a primary trait and a secondary trait is that primary traits represent major characteristics of the personality, for example extroversion and introversion. Secondary traits refer to the general behavior patterns that only appear under certain circumstances. An example of a secondary trait would be anxiousness during public speaking.
Eysenck proposed a three-factor model including the following; (psychoticism, extraversion, neuroticism) that he had vigorously advocated as an better alternative to the pre existing five-factor model. The two models are actually related to each other. Both of the models share the same factors of neuroticism and extraversion. Extraversion is made up of intercorrelations of factors in lower levels such; as impulsivity and sociability, and psychoticism is made up of the intercorrelations of lower-level factors such as conscientiousness and agreeableness.
The big 5 measure is a model of personality traits, it’s five factors include “Openness”. “Conscientiousness”, “Extraversion”, “Agreeableness”, and “Neuroticism”. Some common criticisms are that one may be able to develop a sense of what choices to select due to personal bias; if given an evaluation using this measure as a basis. When one has the ability to select choices inclined to what they believe will secure them a certain outcome or what the evaluation will show as the best results, it may alter one's ability to accurately ascertain true responses from those that take the evaluation. Critics of the “Big Five measure” believe that this controlled response from the subject may not help the tool to develop and accurately measure an authentic personality profile and may prove results to be invalid.
The big 5 measure is a model of personality traits, it’s five factors include “Conscientiousness”, “Neuroticism”, “Extraversion”, “Agreeableness”, and openness. There are multiple subscales that describe each personality trait. These subscales are as follows; for example Conscientiousness is the general measure of being efficient, reliable, and orderly and includes five subscales: Competence, Order, Dutifulness, Achievement-striving, Self-discipline, and Deliberation. Neuroticism is a general measure of anxiety and worry: it’s subscales are Anxiety, Hostility, Depression, Self-consciousness, Impulsiveness, and vulnerability. Extraversion is the general measure of energy, enthusiasm, and sociability, its subscales are Warmth, Gregariousness, Assertiveness, Activity, Excitement-seeking, and Positive Emotions. Agreeableness is a general measure of cooperativeness and unselfishness, its subscales are Trust, Compliance, Altruism, Straightforwardness, Modesty, and Tender-mindedness. Openness: is a general measure of broad interests and tastes in food, music, and people, it’s subscales include Fantasy, Aesthetics, Feelings, Actions, Ideas, and Values. One is able to better differentiate their personality from others then when using just 5 main groups when using the subscales because it allows different values of each within the trait.
The Myers-Briggs Type Instrument (MBTI) measures your Extraversion versus Introversion, Intuition versus observation, Thinking versus feeling, Judging versus prospecting. There are sixteen different possibilities of personality types based on different values in each category. My result was (ISFP-T). The site states my adjustment score is well within the normal and healthy range and I have some anxieties and concerns about the world but still seem to be taking advantage of the social world. which may be reassuring to some due to the normalcy of the results.
Big-Five Personality Test Results
b) Myers-Briggs Type Instrument (MBTI) Results
c) Personality type according to Myers-Briggs Type Instrument (MBTI)
The scores I received from the “Big-5” evaluation were for the most part incline with the average scores of others. For example the difference between the results from the male average for “Neuroticism” and my results is is only (0.4) with my score being (14) and the male average at (13.6) . The largest difference between my results and those of the male average was for “Extraversion”, with my score being (15) and the male average being (19.2).
A positive trait that may come with a low score of “Extraversion”, is that it allows one more time for self reflection and which may lead to new divergent thought patterns. This trait may have some positive attributes due to the person’s un-willingness to step outside their comfort zone and try new things which in turn may keep the person safe, when compared to a person always willing to try new experiences.
A negative trait that may come with a low score of “Extraversion” is one may miss out on opportunities due to their unwillingness to interact with others which may lead to better opportunities in life in terms of employment, academics, romantic affairs, etc. A person with high extraversion scores may also attract more friends and acquaintances than one with low scores which is beneficial in networking and becoming successful.
The results showed that I scored low in “Extraversion”, but high in “Openness”; above average (25). This may accurately show that though I do enjoy to try new things I usually prefer to have thought about the action somewhat more than if a true “Extravert” The elements of my “Big-5” results most likely to change in the future are going to be the extraversion scores. I know that as I progress in my academic career I will be pushed out of my comfort zone. Depending on if I pursue furthering my education, conscientiousness levels may likely rise due to increased stress and time restraints in graduate programs.
Overall I feel as though these results accurately represent my personality, the “Big-Five” results for my “Extraversion” scores were what I expected. I also saw that most of my results were very close to the averages in both male and females which makes me believe that it is fairly in line with the rest of the population. In conclusion I learned I am much more open to new experiences than the average male. This was surprising due to a low score in “Extraversion”. These tests gave a good insight into the representation of my personality and I am satisfied with the results.