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The Big Five Aspects Scale
You have just completed assessing yourself with 100 phrases. Our systems have compared your-self-ratings to those of thousands of other people. You are being compared to men and women of all ages. This means that if you are young, your scores on neuroticism will be higher and on agreeableness and conscientiousness will be lower than if you were compared to people of your own age (with the reverse being true for older individuals). For men, their scores on agreeableness will be higher and on neuroticism will be lower than if they were just being compared to men. We decided to make the comparisons simple, so that you know where you stand in comparison to the typical person (with age and sex regarded as irrelevant).
Here are your results: You will see below where you stand in comparison to others in the general population on the major traits and their aspects:
- Agreeableness: Compassion and Politeness
- Conscientiousness: Industriousness and Orderliness
- Extraversion: Enthusiasm and Assertiveness
- Neuroticism: Withdrawal and Volatility
- Openness to Experience: Openness and Intellect
Remember that each personality trait and aspect (and your relative position with respect to them) has advantages and disadvantages. It is for that reason that variation exists in the human population: there is a niche for each personality configuration. Much of what constitutes success in life is therefore the consequence of finding the place in relationships, work and personal commitment that corresponds to your unique personality structure. Good luck with your expanded self-understanding!
Note also that if you find that the descriptions harsher than you might consider appropriate this may mean that you were more self-critical than necessary when completing the questions (remember, the results are based on your own self-report, compared to that of others). This can occur if you were feeling temporarily or chronically unhappy or anxious, or hungry, angry or judgmental when you completed the questions.
Agreeableness: Typical
You are typical or average in agreeableness, which is the primary dimension of Interpersonal interaction in the Big Five personality trait scientific model. Agreeableness has two aspects: compassion and politeness, which will be explained separately. Agreeableness is a very complex trait, with marked positive and negative elements all along its distribution. Because of this, higher scores and lower scores need to be explained at the same time.
People high in agreeableness are nice: compliant, nurturing, kind, naively trusting and conciliatory. However, because of their tendency to avoid conflict, they often dissemble and hide what they think. People low in agreeableness are not so nice: stubborn, dominant, harsh, skeptical, competitive and, in the extreme, even predatory. However, they tend to be straightforward, even blunt, so you know where they stand.
Your score puts you at the 43rd percentile for agreeableness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more agreeable than 43 of them and less agreeable than 56 of them.
AGREEABLENESS
43rd percentile
You are more agreeable than 43 of 100 people
People with typical levels of agreeableness are seen by others as somewhat cooperative, warm and considerate. They look for and even sometimes see the best in others, and are reasonably interpersonally tolerant (an attitude that is much valued by agreeable people). They are no more sensitive than average to seeing someone’s feelings get hurt and, although sometimes concerned about the emotional state of others, don’t always prefer peace and harmony to conflict. They strike a good balance between submissiveness and dominance.
People with average levels of agreeableness are somewhat forgiving, accepting, flexible, gentle and patient. They sometimes feel pity for those who are excluded, punished or defeated. However, they are less likely than highly agreeable people to be taken advantage of by disagreeable people or those with criminal or predatory intent. They can be skeptical. They believe in cooperation, but also feel that competition, with its losers and winners, has its valid place. They are less likely to lose arguments (and will not typically avoid discussion) with less agreeable people. They can be quite good at bargaining for themselves, and at negotiating for more recognition or power. They are likely to have somewhat higher salaries and earn more money, in consequence. This may mean they are less likely to suffer from resentment or to harbour invisible anger, although this tendency may be increased, if they are high in neuroticism. In addition, because of their tendency to engage in conflict, when necessary, typically agreeable people are less prone to sacrifice medium- to long-term stability and function for the sake of short-term peace. This can mean that problems that should be solved in the present are often solved, and do not accumulate counterproductively across time.
Women are higher in agreeableness than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 61.5. For men it is 38.5. The fact that men are lower in agreeableness than women helps explain their much higher rates of criminal incarceration (90% male). The primary difference between criminals and non-criminals is disagreeableness. If the typical criminal is more disagreeable than 98% of people in the general population, then almost all those criminals will be male. This difference in agreeableness between men and women is largest in countries such as Norway and Sweden, where the most has been done to ensure equality of outcome between the sexes. This provides strong evidence that biological factors rather than environment and learning account for the dissimilarity.
Agreeableness, per se, is not strongly associated with political liberalism or conservatism, but this is because the aspects of agreeableness predict such political belief in opposite ways, and cancel each other out. Liberals are higher in aspect compassion, and conservatives in aspect politeness. However, alliance with the category of belief that has come to be known as politically correct is strongly predicted by agreeableness (particularly compassion). What this appears to mean is that agreeable people strongly identify with those they deem oppressed, seeing them, essentially, as exploited infants, and demonize those they see as oppressors, seeing them as cruel, heartless predators.
There are large differences between men and women in terms of spontaneous interest, and these also appear associated with agreeableness. Agreeable people, caring as they do for others, are more likely to enter professions associated with people, such as teaching and nursing, which are dominated by women. This is true even in the Scandinavian countries, where attempts to produce gender-equal societies has reached a maximum. Disagreeable people, by contrast, appear to prefer systematizing over empathizing, and are more interested in things – machines and technology. In consequence, professions such as engineering and trades associated with construction and machinery tend to be dominated by relatively disagreeable men.
Agreeableness has two aspects: compassion and politeness.
Compassion: Moderately Low
You are moderately low in compassion, which is one aspect of Agreeableness. Your score puts you at the 31st percentile for compassion. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be less compassionate than 68 of them and more compassionate than 31 of them.
Less compassionate people are not primarily oriented towards the problems of other people or other living things. They are less swayed by cuteness. They are willing to make other people experience negative emotion by engaging in conflict and competition. They like to win, and are less concerned about helping other people. They make sure their own needs and interests are attended to, and are less likely to sacrifice for the sake of other people. This can make them appear harsh and unsympathetic. People might turn to them for the truth, but not for a soft, patient, eternally-listening ear. They are not markedly empathetic and caring. However, because they are not primarily other-oriented, they can often negotiate effectively on their own behalf, and are likely to get at least what they deserve (for their hard work, for example). In consequence, they are unlikely to harbor feelings of resentment or hidden anger.
COMPASSION
31st percentile
You are less compassionate than 68 of 100 people
Those who are liberal, politically, score somewhat higher in compassion than conservatives.
Women are also higher in compassion than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 61. For men it is 39.
Politeness: Typical or Average
You are typical or average in politeness, which is one aspect of Agreeableness. Your score puts you at the 58th percentile for politeness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more polite than 58 of them and less polite than 41 of them.
Typically polite people can be deferential to authority, but can also be challenging, when necessary. They are not particularly obedient. They can be respectful, but will also push back if pushed. They are not made uncomfortable by the necessity of standing up to other people. Typically polite people will avoid conflict, reasonably, but are not completely averse to confrontation.
POLITENESS
58th percentile
You are more polite than 58 of 100 people
Those who are liberal, politically, score somewhat lower in politeness than conservatives (the opposite pattern is seen with compassion).
Women are higher in politeness than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 59. For men it is 41.
Conscientiousness: Low
You are low in conscientiousness, which is the primary dimension of dutiful achievement in the Big Five personality trait scientific model. Conscientiousness is a measure of obligation, attention to detail, hard work, persistence, cleanliness, efficiency and adherence to rules, standards and processes. Conscientious people implement their plans and establish and maintain order.
Your score puts you at the 20th percentile for conscientiousness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be less conscientious than 79 of them and more conscientious than 20 of them.
People low in conscientiousness do not regard duty as particularly important, and they don’t like to slog away at their tasks. They will only work hard if pushed, generally by outside forces (supervisors, spouses, friends, parents) and don’t mind wasting time. They are highly likely to procrastinate (particularly if they are also above average in neuroticism). Even when people with low levels of conscientiousness commit to doing something, there is a good chance they will be late, or delayed, even when there is no real reason for it. They tend to formulate and deliver excuses for their failure under such circumstances, typically blaming the situation for the problem. They are not decisive, neat, organized, future-oriented, or reliable, and they find themselves too-easily distracted.
CONSCIENTIOUSNESS
20th percentile
You are less conscientious than 79 of 100 people
People with low levels of conscientiousness are much less likely to obtain higher grades in academic settings (particularly if they are also less intelligent), and generally require substantial supervision to stay on task. For this reason, they make sub-optimal managers and administrators. They do not feel compelled to do things by the book, however. This can perhaps be an advantage, if they are engaged in creative tasks, where rules must be broken for advancement to take place. They will rarely make career accomplishment a primary goal, turning instead to pursuit of safety and security (if high in neuroticism), creative accomplishment (if high in openness), establishment of intimate relationships and friendships (if highly agreeable), or social success, excitement and fun (if extraverted). Such people are by no means achievement-oriented.
People low in conscientiousness tend to relatively be free of guilt, shame, self-disgust and self-contempt. Other people, however, are likely to react negatively to their tendency to slack off and avoid responsibility (particularly if those other people are disagreeable and conscientious).
Individuals who are low in conscientious tend not to be concerned by failure. They are not judgmental, to themselves or others, and find and formulate situational explanations for disappointment, frustration or lack of success. They can handle periods of inactivity and unemployment with comparative ease. They downplay the relationship between hard work, diligence and success, assuming instead that chance factors and luck in life play a determining role. They live, in large part, for leisure and very much look forward to time off. They can be very good at relaxing, and living in the moment (particularly when low in neuroticism). They are much less concerned than average with cleaning, moral purity and achievement. It’s far more fun to be at the beach or at a party with a person low in conscientiousness – but you might not want to invite them over on moving day.
People low in conscientiousness are substantively more likely to be political liberals rather than conservatives. This is particularly true if they are also high in openness.
Women are very slightly more conscientious than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 51.5. For men it is 49.5.
Conscientiousness has two aspects: industriousness and orderliness.
Industriousness: Exceptionally Low
You are exceptionally low in industriousness, which is one aspect of conscientiousness. Your score puts you at the 1st percentile for industriousness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be less industrious than 98 of them and more industrious than 1 of them.
People who are exceptionally low in industriousness are extremely unlikely to be successful in school and in administrative and managerial positions (particularly if they are also less intelligent). If they are highly intelligent, they will almost certainly be regarded as underachievers, by themselves and others. They don’t regard work as worthwhile or important, and are almost certain to procrastinate, miss deadlines, or fail to complete assignments or projects completely. They shirk all responsibility, concentrating on fun, worry, relationships, excitement or creative endeavor. They aren’t all concerned with or interested in schedules, timelines or efficiency, and are unlikely to complete their tasks even if supervised excessively. They lack focus and are far too-easily and continually distracted.
INDUSTRIOUSNESS
1st percentile
You are less industrious than 98 of 100 people
People exceptionally low in industriousness are not at all judgmental to themselves or others. They continually and habitually let people, including themselves, off the hook. They insist that people fail not because they don’t apply themselves or work hard but because chance and luck play the only determining roles. They are very resistant to guilt, self-disgust or self-contempt, and have a totally laissez-faire, whatever-will-be-will-be attitude toward life.
Those who are liberal and those who are conservatives appear equally industrious.
Men are slightly more industrious than women. The mean percentile for men in a general population (women and men) is 51.5. For women it is 49.5.
Orderliness: Moderately High
You are moderately high in orderliness, which is one aspect of conscientiousness. Your score puts you at the 76th percentile for orderliness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more orderly than 76 of them and less orderly than 23 of them.
Moderately orderly people are more disgust-sensitive than average, somewhat judgemental, and have a tendency towards more authoritarian political attitudes.
Moderately orderly people can be somewhat disturbed—even disgusted—by mess and chaos. They would rather keep everything tidy and organized. They think in comparatively black and white terms: things are basically good or bad, acceptable or unacceptable, with less room for grey areas. They tend both to make and stick to schedules. They like everything where it should be—and are happier if it stays where it should be. They are somewhat detail-oriented but tend not to be obsessive. They are generally aware of social rules and tend to abide by them. They like routine and prefer the predictable. They can be good at ensuring that complex, sensitive processes are managed properly and carefully.
ORDERLINESS
76th percentile
You are more orderly than 76 of 100 people
Orderliness can constrain creativity, however, as creative endeavours often require mess, disruption and intervening periods of chaos, so moderately orderly people who are high in openness to experience may have some trouble letting go enough to indulge in their creativity.
Those who are moderately orderly are more likely to be political conservatives, particularly when low in openness to experience. The latter is the best predictor of conservative belief, while the former plays an additional determining role.
Women are more orderly than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 54.5. For men it is 45.5. This may account for some of the trouble in relation to housework between women and men. Since women are, on average, more orderly, household disorder will trigger disgust and discomfort in them faster. This may happen with sufficient frequency so they end up doing a disproportionate share of such work (even though if they waited a bit longer their less orderly partners, often men, might end up equally troubled and motivated to fix the problem). Orderly people are more likely to have items such as event calendars, drawer organizers, laundry baskets, irons and ironing boards in their immediate environments.
Extraversion: Moderately High
You are moderately high in extraversion, which is the primary dimension of positive emotion in the Big Five personality trait scientific model. Extraversion is a measure of general sensitivity to positive emotions such as hope, joy, anticipation and approach, particularly in social situations.
Your score puts you at the 72nd percentile for extraversion. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more extraverted than 72 of them and less extraverted than 27 of them.
People with moderately high levels of extraversion are quite enthusiastic, talkative, assertive in social situations, and gregarious. They are often energized by social contact, and crave it. They typically like to plan parties, tell jokes, make people laugh and participate in community activities. They are somewhat more likely to have positive memories of the past, above-average levels of current self-esteem (particularly if they are low in neuroticism), and to feel optimism about the future.
EXTRAVERSION
72nd percentile
You are more extraverted than 72 of 100 people
People who are moderately extraverted don’t often keep things to themselves, tending instead to share what they are thinking with everyone. They are self-disclosing (particularly if also high in neuroticism) and they warm fairly rapidly to other people. They are among the first to speak in meetings. They can be captivating and convincing. They are likely to be among the first to act in an ambiguous situation.
People who are moderately high in extraversion make more enthusiastic employees, and tend to be well-suited to jobs involving sales, persuasion, work in groups and public speaking (particularly, once again, if they are low in neuroticism). They are somewhat less suited to occupations that require a lot of isolated work (such as computer programming or accounting).
People moderately high in extraversion have a tendency to be impulsive, particularly when it comes to having fun in social situations. They are somewhat more likely to sacrifice the future to the present, when something social or group-oriented beckons. It can be difficult for them to be alone and to study and work. They can find themselves distracted by opportunities to chat, joke and socialize. This is particularly the case if they are also low in conscientiousness. When individuals are extraverted and conscientious, they are more productive than if they are introverted and conscientious. However, when they are introverted and unconscientious, they are more productive than they are when they are extroverted and unconscientious.
People moderately high in extraversion are comparatively more dominant in social situations, particularly if they are also low in agreeableness. Less agreeable extraverts tend to be self-centered – something that can be made worse if they are also low in conscientiousness.
Those who are politically liberal are slightly less extraverted than conservatives.
Women are slightly more extraverted than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 52. For men it is 48.
Extraversion has two aspects: Enthusiasm and Assertiveness.
Enthusiasm: Moderately High
You are moderately high in enthusiasm, which is one aspect of extraversion. Your score puts you at the 70th percentile for enthusiasm. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more enthusiastic than 70 of them and less enthusiastic than 29 of them.
Individuals moderately high in enthusiasm are somewhat excitable, happy and easier to get to know. They will talk more about everything (particularly other people) than the typical person. They laugh or giggle more than average. They would rather spend time around other people than alone, and they tend to like parties. They don’t generally keep people at a distance, and are not too concerned with keeping things private. They are comparatively positive and optimistic. They warm up quickly to other people. They like stimulation, excitement, activity and fun. Enthusiastic people are gregarious, encouraging and people-loving, and tend to be quite positive about what might happen next.
ENTHUSIASM
70th percentile
You are more enthusiastic than 70 of 100 people
Enthusiasm is not strongly associated with political preference, either conservative or liberal.
Women are higher in enthusiasm than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 55. For men it is 45.
Assertiveness: Moderately High
You are moderately high in assertiveness, which is one aspect of extraversion. Your score puts you at the 68th percentile for assertiveness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more assertive than 68 of them and less assertive than 31 of them.
Moderately assertive people are more “take charge” types. They put their own opinions forward, and are somewhat likely to dominate and control social situations. They can be influential and captivating. They have the communication style that is more often associated with leadership. This is good when they are knowledgeable, competent and able, but less good when they aren’t. Moderately assertive people tend to be more action-oriented. They are less likely to wait for others to lead the way. Now and then they might be impulsive, in consequence, acting too quickly, without thinking.
ASSERTIVENESS
68th percentile
You are more assertive than 68 of 100 people
Liberals tend to be slightly less assertive than conservatives.
Women are slightly less assertive than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 48. For men it is 52.
Neuroticism: Very Low
You are very low in neuroticism, which is the primary dimension of negative emotion in the Big Five personality trait scientific model. Neuroticism is a measure of general sensitivity to negative emotions such as pain, sadness, irritable or defensive anger, fear and anxiety.
Your score puts you at the 5th percentile for neuroticism. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be lower in neuroticism than 94 of them and higher in neuroticism than 5 of them.
People with very low levels of neuroticism almost never focus on the negative elements, anxieties and uncertainties of the past, present and future. It is very rare for them to face periods of time where they are unhappy, anxious and irritable, unless facing a serious, sustained, complex problem. Even under the latter conditions, they cope very well, don’t worry, and recover quickly. They’re very good at keeping their head in a storm, and they almost never make mountains out of molehills.
NEUROTICISM
5th percentile
You are lower in neuroticism than 94 of 100 people
They have very much higher levels of self-esteem, particularly when they are also average or above average in extraversion. They are at much lower risk for developing anxiety disorders and depression (again, particularly if average or above in extraversion).
When good things happen to them, people with very low levels of neuroticism can appreciate it, without questioning whether or not they deserved it. They are unusually satisfied with their relationships and careers. Overall, they are very tolerant of stress, and can much more easily accept failure and setbacks as part of life. Very low levels of neuroticism are associated with markedly decreased concern about mental and physical health, far fewer physician and emergency room visits, and very infrequent absenteeism at work and at school (particularly if accompanied by average or above levels of conscientiousness).
People with very low levels of neuroticism can handle risk strikingly better. If they are average or high in extraversion or openness, they may even enjoy it. They are simply far less affected by uncertainty. They can much more easily handle recreational, career, financial and social situations where the possibility of loss is higher. They can consider and implement career changes and other transformations that could enhance their lives very easily.
Neuroticism is not a powerful predictor of political belief, either conservative or liberal.
Females tend to be higher in neuroticism than males. The typical woman is higher in neuroticism than 60% of the general population of men and women combined. In part, this may be why women report more unhappiness in their relationships, at work, in school and with their health than men, on average, and why women initiate 70% of all divorces. This difference in neuroticism between men and women appears to emerge at puberty. It is largest in countries such as Norway and Sweden, where the most has been done to ensure equality of outcome between the sexes. This provides strong evidence that biological factors rather than environment and learning account for the dissimilarity.
Trait neuroticism is made up of the aspects withdrawal and volatility.
Withdrawal: Low
You are low in withdrawal, which is one aspect of neuroticism. Your score puts you at the 15thpercentile for withdrawal. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be lower in withdrawal than 84 of them and higher in withdrawal than 15 of them.
Individuals low in withdrawal rarely suffer from or are impeded by anticipatory anxiety. They can handle new, uncertain, unexpected, threatening or complex situations well. They are substantially less likely to avoid or withdraw in the face of the unknown and unexpected.
People with low levels of withdrawal tend not to feel sad, lonesome, disappointed and grief-stricken – and, if they do, not deeply nor for long. They experience much lower than normal levels of doubt and worry, embarrassment, self-consciousness and discouragement in the face of threat and punishment. They are quite resistant to and rarely worried about social rejection, and rarely feel hurt or threatened. Even when actually hurt, frightened, or anxious, they recover easily and quickly. People with low levels of withdrawal are not worriers. Technically, withdrawal has been associated with activity in the brain systems that regulate passive avoidance.
WITHDRAWAL
15th percentile
You are lower in withdrawal than 84 of 100 people
Those who are liberal, politically, are slightly higher in withdrawal than conservatives.
Women are higher in withdrawal than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 60. For men it is 40.
Volatility: Exceptionally Low
You are exceptionally low in volatility, which is one aspect of neuroticism. Your score puts you at the 2nd percentile for volatility. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be less volatile than 97 of them and more volatile than 2 of them.
Individuals exceptionally low in volatility are extraordinarily stable and predictable in their moods. They are virtually never irritable, and very rarely experience disappointment, frustration, pain and loneliness. People find them extremely easy and calming. They very infrequently express their frustration, disappointment and irritability and appear remarkably reasonable when they do so. Even on those unusually infrequent occasions where they become stirred up, upset, angry or irritated, they calm down almost immediately. They are not at all argumentative and almost never lose their composure.
Even if exceptionally provoked in a dispute, a person of very low volatility will rarely react in kind (particularly if also average or above in agreeableness). Such people remain calm and unperturbed even when extraordinarily stressed. Volatile people tend to get upset if something bad does happen, while people high in withdrawal (the other aspect of neuroticism) tend to be concerned that something bad might happen. Technically, volatility has been associated with activity in the brain systems that regulate fight, flight or freeze.
VOLATILITY
2nd percentile
You are less volatile than 97 of 100 people
Volatility is not strongly related to political preference, either liberal or conservative.
Women are higher in volatility than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 57.5. For men it is 42.5.
Openness to Experience: Typical or Average
You are typical or average in openness to experience, which is the primary dimension of creativity, artistic interest and intelligence (particularly verbal intelligence) in the Big Five personality trait scientific model. Openness to experience is a measure of interest in novelty, art, literature, abstract thinking, philosophy as well as sensitivity to aesthetic emotions and beauty.
Your score puts you at the 57th percentile for openness to experience. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be higher in openness to experience than 57 of them and lower in openness to experience than 42 of them.
People with typical levels of openness to experience are as smart and creative as others, on average. They are not generally characterized as exploratory or visionary, but have their moments of insight and realization. They are sometimes interested in learning for its own sake and show some interest in acquiring new abilities and skills. They are not overwhelmingly curious, and are not strikingly interested in abstract thinking, philosophy, or the meaning of belief systems and ideologies. They will attend cultural events such as movies, concerts, dance recitals, plays, poetry readings, gallery openings and art shows, but do not find themselves compelled to do so. They sometimes enjoy writing and will occasionally enjoy encountering and trying to solve a complex problem, or explore abstract ideas.
OPENNESS TO EXPERIENCE
57th percentile
You are higher in openness to experience than 57 of 100 people
They tend to read an average amount – but more mainstream material. They have a normal range of interests, and a reasonable vocabulary. They can think and learn reasonably quickly. They sometimes find themselves formulating new ideas, and are articulate enough to get their thoughts across (particularly if average or above in extraversion). People average in openness now and then see old things in new ways, but are also satisfied with the tried-and-true. They can solve day-to-day problems well, and sometimes seek out a more difficult challenge.
People who are average or typical in openness to experience can adapt reasonably well to situations or occupations that are routinized and predictable. They have little trouble fitting in at the bottom of hierarchies. They can be better suited than those who are more open to entry-level, repetitive, rote positions, because they aren’t compelled to think up new ways to do things. They are not uncreative thinkers, but are less commonly known as creative or revolutionary. They rarely shake things up, particularly if they are also agreeable and less assertive.
Individuals average in openness to experience may be entrepreneurial in spirit, but they also appreciate conventional employment. They have no more than average interest in creating new ventures, whether for profit, curiosity, or personal transformation. At least moderately high levels of openness to experience appear necessary to the formation and leadership of business and other forms of complex organization, although conscientiousness appears required for the attention to detail and process management that such organizations also always need.
People typical in openness to experience have an average range of interests. This makes it relatively easy for them to settle on a single path in life, to specialize to a necessary degree, and to create an integrated identity (unless they are very high or above in neuroticism and/or very low or below in conscientiousness). People characterized by the combination of moderately high openness to experience and very high or above levels of neuroticism can undermine their own convictions and beliefs by questioning and making themselves lost and anxious. Open, unconscientious people tend to be “under-achievers” (particularly if also above average in neuroticism). Such people appear to have the capability to succeed, can learn quickly, and are creative, but they can have some trouble implementing their ideas.
Openness to experience is the dimension that best predicts political allegiance (with conscientiousness, particularly the aspect of orderliness, coming in at second place). Those who are liberal, politically, are very much more likely to be high in openness to experience than conservatives.
Women and men differ very little in openness to experience at the trait level, although there are differences in the aspect levels.
Trait openness to experience is made up of the aspects of intellect and openness.
Intellect: Moderately High
Note: Do not confuse the personality aspect of Intellect with IQ. Intellect is a measure of interest in abstract ideas, essentially, while IQ is a measure of processing speed, verbal ability, working memory, and problem solving capacity, and is better measured with a formal IQ test. It is perfectly possible to have a high IQ and a low score on the personality trait of Intellect (or the reverse).
You are moderately high in intellect, which is one aspect of openness to experience. Your score puts you at the 72nd percentile for intellect. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be higher in intellect than 72 of them and lower in intellect than 27 of them.
People moderately high in intellect tend to be quite interested in ideas and abstract concepts. They often enjoy being confronted with novel information, even when it is complex. They tend to be more curious and exploratory than average, and frequently like to tackle and solve problems. They will actively engage in issue-oriented discussions, and tend to read idea-centered books (most frequently non-fiction). They tend to be quite articulate and can formulate ideas reasonably clearly and quickly (particularly if average or higher in extraversion). They have a wider vocabulary, and like to learn new things. People moderately high in intellect will seek out and generate novel, creative concepts and actively find and adapt well to new experience and situations.
INTELLECT
72nd percentile
You are higher in intellect than 72 of 100 people
People moderately high in intellect tend to find complex, rapidly changing occupations to their liking and are likely to do well at them (particularly if they are also high in conscientiousness and low in neuroticism). However, they are less well-suited to stable, straightforward and more traditional occupations, where the rules don't change, and are likely to experience frequent periods of boredom in such positions.
Liberals are higher in intellect than conservatives (although the biggest difference between the two is openness to experience at the trait level).
Women are lower than men in intellect (although not in IQ). This is probably a difference in interest: people high in intellect, compared to openness, are more likely to prefer the sciences to the arts. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 45. For men it is 55.
Openness: Moderately Low
You are moderately low in openness, which is one aspect of openness to experience. Your score puts you at the 38th percentile for openness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be lower in openness than 61 of them and higher in openness than 38 of them.
The closest synonym for openness (rather than openness to experience, which encompasses openness and intellect) is creativity. People moderately low in openness or creativity do not find beauty particularly important. They tend not to require an outlet for their creative ability, and will certainly not wither away without it. They don’t particularly appreciate art or beautiful crafts, and are less sensitive to color and architectural form. They are not typically collectors, and very rarely pursue it passionately. They are less imaginative, more rarely daydream and reflect less often than average. If they enjoy music or other art forms, their taste tends toward the conventional and popular. They are less often musical or artistic themselves (both of these are rare in the general population). They do not generally become immersed in a book, or a movie, or in their own thoughts.
OPENNESS
38th percentile
You are lower in openness than 61 of 100 people
People of moderately low openness tend to be quite stable and conventional (particularly if they are also average or above in conscientiousness). At least moderate levels of openness tend to be necessary for entrepreneurial success, and prove comparatively useful at the top of hierarchies, even in very conservative occupations such as banking, accounting and law, which need creative people in leadership positions to provide new vision and direction.
Liberals are higher in openness than conservatives (although the biggest difference between the two is openness to experience, at the trait level).
Women are higher in openness than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 56.5. For men it is 44.5.
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