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Malcolm Gladwell
Bold = updated on
March 8 2008

Big Five Personality Tests

(Scroll down for Links to Big Five tests) This has gained a large degree of popularity in the last ten years. The Big Five Personality Tests stem back to 1993 when analysis of empirical data suggested that just five personality traits were needed to model personality. Some opponents believe these are too broad and that more traits and factors are needed.

The Five personality traits are

• Agreeableness- Having compassion, being cooperative and more optimistic.
• Conscientiousness - Acting dutifully, showing self-discipline but less pontaneity.
• Extroversion - Seeking stimulation and the company of others. Extroverts are noisier, like to draw attention to themselves and thrive on excitement.
• Neuroticism - Easily affected by negative experiences- a measure of emotional stability, ie getting upset easily, being moody indicate higher neuroticism scores.
• Openness to experience- Appreciation of art, emotion, adventure, unusual ideas and curiosity. Generally there is a weak correlation to IQ. The higher the Openness, the higher the IQ

Psychologists have generally come to support the mBig Five Personality Model (it is not a theory- instead derived from empirica data). It is not culturally biased, ie applies to other cultures and is influenced by environment and heredity. Interestingly there appear to be gender differences in some traits - women score higher in Agreeableness and Neuroticism. Also traits alter over time. Agreeableness and Conscientiousness increase with age while Extroversion, Openness and Neuroticism decrease.

There is some concern about correlation between the five traits as they are not entirely independent. Also some personality traits such as honesty or sense of humour aren't exactly covered by the five main factors. Nontheless the Big Five Personality Traits is an indication of modern thinking. The Holy Grail of Personality Testing- a perfect model or theory of Personality doesn't yet exist but we are slowly moving towards it.

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