Five Factor Personality Model

The Model consists of five high level dimensions.gregarious (sociable, seek social stimulation),
These are comprised of lower level facet traits.assertive, active, excitement seeking, and with a
The Five Factor Model was suggested by twopositive outlook on life coupled with positive
researchers, Costa and McCrae, in 1989. Theemotions (such as joy, happiness, love, and
designers of previous factor models siftedoptimism).The third dimension is openness to
through bulky dictionaries and came up withexperience. Such people resort to fantasy and
thousands of words to describe human nature inuse imagination and creativity to augment and
all its variability. Not so the inventors of the Fiveenrich their lives. They react strongly to beauty
Factor Model. It is based on and derived fromand to beautiful things, such as art and poetry
various personality inventories. Surprisingly, it was(they are aesthetically-sensitive and inclined). They
proven to be as powerful as its vocabulary-basedfully experience their emotions and inner life and
predecessors: it was able to predict subjects'value intimacy. They are novelty-seekers and
behavior as accurately.The Model consists of fiveearly adopters of gadgets, trends, fads, and
high level dimensions. These are comprised ofunconventional ideas and they are very curious.
lower level facet traits. The dimensions allow theThis makes them question established values,
diagnostician to categorize the patient's overallnorms, and rules: they are daring and
propensities but do not provide for accurateiconoclastic.The fourth factor is agreeableness.
predictions and prognoses regarding characteristicsPeople typical of this dimension are trusting and
and likely behavior patterns. The facet traitswilling to give others the benefit of the doubt.
make it possible to narrow down the range ofThey are honest, well-intentioned, sincere, and
behaviors and qualities consistent with thefrank.The fifth dimension is conscientiousness.
dimension.These subjects place a high value on competence
An example:A subject can be neuroticand efficacy, innate capabilities and the acquisition
(emotionally unstable). This is the first dimension. Ifof skills. They are orderly, clean, organized, and
she is neurotic, she can be impulsive, orneat. They are trustworthy and reliable, morally
depressive, or anxious, or hostile, orupright and principled, ambitious and self-disciplined
self-conscious, or angry, or vulnerable, or anybut also deliberative and not rash.
combination of these facet traits.The secondMore about personality assessment tests - click
dimension is extroversion. Extroverts tend to beHERE!
warm, affectionate, and friendly. They are