Is the personality dimension that describes how intellectual, imaginative

Some people such as Bill Gates are viewed as quiet and passive. Others such as Oprah Winfrey, are viewed as vocal and assertive. When we describe people in terms such as quiet, passive loud, aggressive, ambitious, extroverted, loyal, tense, or sociable, we are categorizing them in terms of personality traits. An individual’s personality is the combination of the psychological traits that characterize that person.

Literally dozens of traits are attributed to an individual’s behavior. So too are personality types as they show how people interact with one another and how they solve problems. Through the years, researchers attempted to focus specifically on which personality types and personality traits would identify information about the individual. Two of these efforts have been widely recognized –the Myers–Briggs Type indicators and the Big Five model of personality.

Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI): A method of identifying personality types.

What are the Mybers Briggs types indicators? One or more used methods of identifying personality of the MBTI. The MBTI assessment uses four dimension of personality to identify 16 different personality types based on the responses to an approximately 10 items questionnaire. More than 2 million individuals take the MBTI assessment ach year in the United States alone. It’s used in such companies as Apple Computer, Honda, AT&T, Exxon, 3M, as well as many hospitals, educational institutions and the US Armed Forces.

The 16 personality types are based on four dimensions. That is, the MBTI assessment dimensions include Extraversion versus Introversion (EI) sensing versus Intuition (SN), Thinking versus Feeling (TF) and Judging perceiving (JP). The EI dimension describes an individual’s orientation toward the external world of the environment (E) or the inner world of ideas and experiences (I). The Sensing Intuition dimension indicates an individual’s preference for gathering data while focusing on a standard routine based on factual data (S) to focusing on the big picture and making connections among the facts (N). Thinking Feeling reflects one’s preference for making decisions in logical and analytical manner (T) or on the basis of values and beliefs and the effects the decision will have on others (F). The Judging Perceiving index reflects an attitude towards how one deals with the eternal world – either in a planned and orderly way (J) or preferring to remain flexible and spontaneous (P).

What is the big five model of personality?

Big five model: Five factor model of personality that includes extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, and openness to experience.

Another way of viewing personality is through a five factor model of personality — more typically called the Big Five model. The big five factors are:

1) Extroversion: A personality dimension that describes the degree to which someone is sociable, talkative and assertive.
2) Agreeableness: A personality dimension that describes the degree to which someone is good natured, cooperative and trusting.
3) Conscientiousness: A personality dimension that describes the degree to which someone is responsible, dependable, persistent, and achievement oriented.
4) Emotional stability: A personality dimension that describes the degree to which someone is clam, enthusiastic and secure (positive) or tense, nervous, depressed, and insecure (negative).
5) Openness to experience: A personality dimension that describes the degree to which someone is imaginative, artistically sensitive, and intellectual.

The personality dimensions of extroversion, agreeableness and conscientiousness of the Big Five model relate to the job performance of flight attendants. Personalities who are sociable, good natured and responsible perform well in serving the needs of passengers.

Many contemporary personality psychologists believe that there are five basic dimensions of personality, often referred to as the "Big 5" personality traits. These five primary personality traits are extraversion (also often spelled extroversion), agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism.

Extraversion is sociability, agreeableness is kindness, openness is creativity and intrigue, conscientiousness is thoughtfulness, and neuroticism often involves sadness or emotional instability.

Understanding what each personality trait is and what it means to score high or low in that trait can give you insight into your own personality—without taking a personality traits test. It can also help you better understand others, based on where they fall on the continuum for each of the personality traits listed.

An Easy Way to Remember the Big 5

Some use the acronym OCEAN (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism) to remember the Big 5 personality traits. CANOE (for conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, openness, and extraversion) is another option.

History of the 5-Factor Model of Personality

Trait theories of personality have long attempted to pin down exactly how many traits exist. Earlier theories have suggested various numbers. For instance, Gordon Allport's list contained 4,000 personality traits, Raymond Cattell had 16 personality factors, and Hans Eysenck offered a three-factor theory.

Many researchers felt that Cattell's theory was too complicated and Eysenck's was too limited in scope. As a result, the Big 5 personality traits emerged and are used to describe the broad traits that serve as building blocks of personality.

Several researchers support the belief that there are five core personality traits. Evidence of this theory has been growing for many years in psychology, beginning with the research of D. W. Fiske (1949), and later expanded upon by others, including Norman (1967), Smith (1967), Goldberg (1981), and McCrae & Costa (1987).

The Big 5 Personality Traits

Is the personality dimension that describes how intellectual, imaginative
Is the personality dimension that describes how intellectual, imaginative

Verywell / Joshua Seong

It is important to note that each of the five primary personality traits represents a range between two extremes. For example, extraversion represents a continuum between extreme extraversion and extreme introversion. In the real world, most people lie somewhere in between.

While there is a significant body of literature supporting these primary personality traits, researchers don't always agree on the exact labels for each dimension. That said, these five traits are usually described as follows.

Openness

Openness (also referred to as openness to experience) emphasizes imagination and insight the most out of all five personality traits. People who are high in openness tend to have a broad range of interests. They are curious about the world and other people and are eager to learn new things and enjoy new experiences.

People who are high in this personality trait also tend to be more adventurous and creative. Conversely, people low in this personality trait are often much more traditional and may struggle with abstract thinking.

High

  • Very creative

  • Open to trying new things

  • Focused on tackling new challenges

  • Happy to think about abstract concepts


Low

  • Dislikes change

  • Does not enjoy new things

  • Resists new ideas

  • Not very imaginative

  • Dislikes abstract or theoretical concepts

Conscientiousness

Among each of the personality traits, conscientiousness is one defined by high levels of thoughtfulness, good impulse control, and goal-directed behaviors. Highly conscientious people tend to be organized and mindful of details. They plan ahead, think about how their behavior affects others, and are mindful of deadlines.

Someone scoring lower in this primary personality trait is less structured and less organized. They may procrastinate to get things done, sometimes missing deadlines completely.

High

  • Spends time preparing

  • Finishes important tasks right away

  • Pays attention to detail

  • Enjoys having a set schedule

Low

  • Dislikes structure and schedules

  • Makes messes and doesn't take care of things

  • Fails to return things or put them back where they belong

  • Procrastinates important tasks

  • Fails to complete necessary or assigned tasks

Extraversion

Extraversion (or extroversion) is a personality trait characterized by excitability, sociability, talkativeness, assertiveness, and high amounts of emotional expressiveness. People high in extraversion are outgoing and tend to gain energy in social situations. Being around others helps them feel energized and excited.

People who are low in this personality trait or introverted tend to be more reserved. They have less energy to expend in social settings and social events can feel draining. Introverts often require a period of solitude and quiet in order to "recharge."

High

  • Enjoys being the center of attention

  • Likes to start conversations

  • Enjoys meeting new people

  • Has a wide social circle of friends and acquaintances

  • Finds it easy to make new friends

  • Feels energized when around other people

  • Say things before thinking about them

Low

  • Prefers solitude

  • Feels exhausted when having to socialize a lot

  • Finds it difficult to start conversations

  • Dislikes making small talk

  • Carefully thinks things through before speaking

  • Dislikes being the center of attention

Agreeableness

This personality trait includes attributes such as trust, altruism, kindness, affection, and other prosocial behaviors. People who are high in agreeableness tend to be more cooperative while those low in this personality trait tend to be more competitive and sometimes even manipulative.

High

  • Has a great deal of interest in other people

  • Cares about others

  • Feels empathy and concern for other people

  • Enjoys helping and contributing to the happiness of other people

  • Assists others who are in need of help

Low

  • Takes little interest in others

  • Doesn't care about how other people feel

  • Has little interest in other people's problems

  • Insults and belittles others

  • Manipulates others to get what they want

Neuroticism

Neuroticism is a personality trait characterized by sadness, moodiness, and emotional instability. Individuals who are high in neuroticism tend to experience mood swings, anxiety, irritability, and sadness. Those low in this personality trait tend to be more stable and emotionally resilient.

High

  • Experiences a lot of stress

  • Worries about many different things

  • Gets upset easily

  • Experiences dramatic shifts in mood

  • Feels anxious

  • Struggles to bounce back after stressful events

Low

  • Emotionally stable

  • Deals well with stress

  • Rarely feels sad or depressed

  • Doesn't worry much

  • Is very relaxed

How to Use the Big 5 Personality Traits

Where you fall on the continuum for each of these five primary traits can be used to help identify whether you are more or less likely to have other more secondary personality traits. These other traits are often split into two categories: positive personality traits and negative personality traits.

Positive Personality Traits

Positive personality traits are traits that can be beneficial to have. These traits may help you be a better person or make it easier to cope with challenges you may face in life. Personality traits that are considered positive include:

  • Adaptable
  • Ambitious
  • Considerate
  • Cooperative
  • Friendly
  • Gracious
  • Humble
  • Insightful
  • Objective
  • Optimistic
  • Respectful
  • Steady
  • Thorough
  • Well-rounded

Negative Personality Traits

Negative personality traits are those that may be more harmful than helpful. These are traits that may hold you back in your life or hurt your relationships with others. (They're also good traits to focus on for personal growth.) Personality traits that fall in the negative category include:

  • Aggressive
  • Arrogant
  • Cold
  • Deceptive
  • Egotistical
  • Guarded
  • Intolerant
  • Judgmental
  • Moody
  • Neglectful
  • Pompous
  • Selfish
  • Unreliable
  • Withdrawn

For example, if you score high in openness, you are more likely to have the positive personality trait of creativity. If you score low in openness, you may be more likely to have the negative personality trait of being unimaginative.

Universality of Primary Personality Traits

McCrae and his colleagues found that the Big 5 personality traits are remarkably universal. One study that looked at people from more than 50 different cultures found that the five dimensions could be accurately used to describe personality.

Based on this research, many psychologists now believe that the five personality dimensions are not only universal but that they also have biological origins. Psychologist David Buss has proposed an evolutionary explanation for these five core personality traits, suggesting that they represent the most important qualities that shape our social landscape.

Factors Influencing Personality Traits

Research suggests that both biological and environmental influences play a role in shaping our personalities. Twin studies suggest that both nature and nurture play a role in the development of each of the five personality traits.

One study of the genetic and environmental underpinnings of the five traits looked at 123 pairs of identical twins and 127 pairs of fraternal twins. The findings suggested that the heritability of each personality trait was 53% for extraversion, 41% for agreeableness, 44% for conscientiousness, 41% for neuroticism, and 61% for openness. 

Longitudinal studies also suggest that these big five personality traits tend to be relatively stable over the course of adulthood. One four-year study of working-age adults found that personality changed little as a result of adverse life events.

Studies show that maturation may have an impact on the five personality traits. As people age, they tend to become less extraverted, less neurotic, and less open to an experience. Agreeableness and conscientiousness, on the other hand, tend to increase as people grow older.

A Word From Verywell

Always remember that behavior involves an interaction between a person's underlying personality and situational variables. The situation that someone finds themselves in plays a role in how they might react. However, in most cases, people offer responses that are consistent with their underlying personality traits.

These dimensions represent broad areas of personality. But personality is also complex and varied. So, a person may display behaviors across several of these personality traits.

Is the personality dimension that describes how achievement oriented and persistent a person is often also associated with organization?

Conscientiousness refers to the degree to which a person is responsible, dependable, persistent, and achievement-oriented.

Which of the following is not a trait of emotional intelligence self awareness self sufficiency relationship management social awareness self management?

The answer is b. The components of emotional intelligence include the following: relationship management, self-awareness, self-management, and social awareness. Therefore, emotional stability is not one of the elements of emotional intelligence.

Which traits are elements of an individual's core self evaluation?

Core self-evaluation (CSE) is a theory that includes four personality dimensions: self-esteem, self-efficacy, locus of control and emotional stability.

Which emotional intelligence trait tends to be empathetic?

Within EI, social awareness includes empathy, allowing you to show others that you care, and organizational intuition, so you keenly understand how your emotions and actions affect others.