Personality, a characteristic way of thinking, feeling, and behaving.

Personality embraces moods, attitudes, and opinions

and is most clearly expressed in interactions with other people. It includes behavioral characteristics, both inherent and
acquired, that distinguish one person from another and that can be observed in people’s relations to the environment and
to the social group.

What Is the Trait Theory of Personality?

The trait theory of personality suggests that people have certain basic traits and it is the strength and intensity of those
traits that account for personality differences. The trait approach to personality is one of the major theoretical areas in the
study of personality. Trait theory suggests that individual personalities are composed of broad dispositions.1
There are four trait theories of personality: Allport's trait theory, Cattell's 16-factor personality model, Eysenck's three-
dimensional model, and the five-factor model of personality.

This article discusses how traits are defined and the different trait theories of personality that have been proposed.What
Is a Trait?

A trait is a personality characteristic that meets three criteria: it must be consistent, stable, and vary from person to
person.2 Based on this definition, a trait can be thought of as a relatively stable characteristic that causes individuals to
behave in certain ways.

The way psychologists have thought about personality, including how they define traits, has evolved over time. Unlike
many other theories of personality, such as psychoanalytic or humanistic theories, the trait approach to personality is
focused on differences between individuals.

The combination and interaction of various traits form a personality that is unique to each person. Trait theory is focused
on identifying and measuring these individual personality characteristics.1

If someone asked you to describe a close friend's personality, what kind of things would you say? A few things that might
come to mind are descriptive terms such as "outgoing," "kind" and "even-tempered." All of these represent traits.

Allport’s Trait Theory

The first trait theory was proposed by a psychologist named Gordon Allport in 1936. Allport found that one English-
language dictionary contained0 more than 4,000 words describing different personality traits. He categorized these traits
into three levels:3
Cardinal Traits
Allport suggested that cardinal traits are rare and dominating, usually developing later in life. They tend to define a person
to such an extent that their names become synonymous with their personality. Examples of this include the following
descriptive terms: Machiavellian, narcissistic, Don Juan, and Christ-like.
Central Traits

These general characteristics form basic personality foundations. While central traits are not as dominating as cardinal
traits, they describe the major characteristics you might use to describe another person. Descriptions such as "intelligent,"
"honest," "shy," and "anxious" are considered central traits.

Secondary Traits
Secondary traits are sometimes related to attitudes or preferences. They often appear only in certain situations or under
specific circumstances. Some examples include public speaking anxiety or impatience while waiting in line.
In psychology, an attitude refers to a set of emotions, beliefs, and behaviors toward a particular object, person, thing, or
event.

Attitudes are often the result of experience or upbringing. They can have a powerful influence over behavior and affect
how people act in various situations. While attitudes are enduring, they can also change. The main components of attitude
are cognitive, affective, and behavioral, which means they incorporate thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Overview of Attitude

To understand the meaning of attitudes, it can be helpful to look at a few different examples. Attitude can refer to:

 Your opinion on the death penalty

 Your opinion about which political party does a better job of running the country
 Whether prayer be allowed in schools
 Whether violence on television be regulated

How Psychologists Define Attitudes

Psychologists define attitudes as a learned tendency to evaluate things in a certain way. This can include evaluations of
people, issues, objects, or events. Such evaluations are often positive or negative, but they can also be uncertain at
times.

For example, you might have mixed feelings about a particular person or issue. Researchers also suggest that there are
several different characteristics that make up attitudes.1 The components of attitudes are sometimes referred to as the
ABC's of attitude.

3 Components of Attitude

 Affective Component: How the object, person, issue, or event makes you feel
 Cognitive Component: Your thoughts and beliefs about the subject
 Behavioral Component: How attitude influences your behavior

Cattell’s 16-Factor Personality Model

The 16 Personality Factors
Psychologist Raymond Cattell analyzed Allport's list and whittled it down to 171 characteristics, mostly by eliminating
terms that were redundant or uncommon. He then used a statistical technique known as factor analysis to identify traits
that are related to one another. With this method, he was able to whittle his list to 16 key personality factors.1
According to Cattell, there is a continuum of personality traits. In other words, each person contains all of these 16 traits to
a certain degree, but they might be high in some traits and low in others.

The following personality trait list describes some of the descriptive terms used for each of the 16 personality dimensions
described by Cattell.

1. Abstractedness: Imaginative versus practical

2. Apprehension: Worried versus confident
3. Dominance: Forceful versus submissive
4. Emotional stability: Calm versus high-strung
5. Liveliness: Spontaneous versus restrained
6. Openness to change: Flexible versus attached to the familiar
7. Perfectionism: Controlled versus undisciplined
8. Privateness: Discreet versus open
9. Reasoning: Abstract versus concrete
10. Rule-consciousness: Conforming versus non-conforming
11. Self-reliance: Self-sufficient versus dependent
12. Sensitivity: Tender-hearted versus tough-minded
13. Social boldness: Uninhibited versus shy
14. Tension: Inpatient versus relaxed
15. Vigilance: Suspicious versus trusting
16. Warmth: Outgoing versus reserved

The 16 factors identified by Cattell were based on the original list of personality traits described by Gordon Allport.
However, other researchers believe these 16 factors can be further reduced to fewer dimensions that underpin
personality. The five-factor model is one example.
Uses for the 16 Factors

The 16 Personality Factors (16PF) has a variety of uses, including:5

 Career development: The assessment can provide insights that help people determine which careers suit their
talents and interests.
 Industrial and organizational settings: The questionnaire is sometimes used to evaluate job candidates to
determine if they are a good fit for particular roles.
 Personality assessment: The questionnaire can be useful for better understanding different aspects of
personality.
 Research: The 16 factor questionnaire is also used as a research tool when investigating different aspects of
personality and behavior.

The Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) is widely used today for career counseling.

Eysenck’s 3 Dimensions of Personality

British psychologist Hans Eysenck developed a model of personality based on just three universal traits.5
Introversion/Extraversion
Introversion involves directing attention to inner experiences, while extraversion relates to focusing attention outward, onto
other people and the environment. A person high in introversion might be quiet and reserved, while an individual high in
extraversion (often spelled "extroversion") might be sociable and outgoing.

Neuroticism/Emotional Stability

This dimension of Eysenck’s trait theory is related to moodiness versus even-temperedness. Neuroticism refers to an
individual’s tendency to become upset or emotional, while stability refers to the tendency to remain emotionally constant.

A person’s level of neuroticism can be assessed by personality tests that ask individuals to rate the extent to which they:

 worry about things

 are easily disturbed

  have frequent mood swings

 get irritated easily

 often feel blue

Psychoticism
Later, after studying individuals suffering from mental illness, Eysenck added a personality dimension he called
psychoticism to his trait theory. Individuals who are high on this trait tend to have difficulty dealing with reality and may
be antisocial, hostile, non-empathetic, and manipulative.

psychoticism

n. a dimension of personality in Eysenck’s dimensions characterized by aggression, impulsivity, aloofness, and

antisocial behavior, indicating a susceptibility to psychosis and psychopathic disorders (see antisocial personality
disorder). It was originally developed as a factor for distinguishing between normal individuals and those with
schizophrenia or bipolar disorders, using tests of judgment of spatial distance, reading speed, level of proficiency
in mirror drawing, and adding rows of numbers.

Five-Factor Model of Personality

Both Cattell’s and Eysenck’s theories have been the subject of considerable research. This has led some theorists to
believe that Cattell focused on too many traits, while Eysenck focused on too few. As a result, a new trait theory often
referred to as the "Big Five" theory emerged.

This five-factor model of personality represents five core traits that interact to form human personality.6 While researchers
often disagree about the exact labels for each dimension, the following are described most commonly:

 Agreeableness: level of cooperation and caring for others

 Conscientiousness: level of thoughtfulness and structure
 Extraversion: level of socialness and emotional expressiveness
 Neuroticism: level of mood stability and emotional resilience
 Openness: level of adventure and creativity

Agreeableness as a Personality Trait

Agreeableness is a core personality trait that reflects and individual's abilities to get along well with others and their
concern for social harmony.

When it comes to personality traits, if you're someone that has scored high in agreeableness, you're likely popular and
tend to make friends easily. You also may be seen as trustworthy, altruistic, honest, modest, empathetic, and cooperative.

Agreeableness is one of the Big Five personality traits, which theorizes that there are five major dimensions to personality.
Each dimension is viewed on a continuum, which means while you may be dominant in one area—like agreeableness—
you still have some level of the other four traits represented in your personality as well.
In addition to agreeableness, the other Big Five traits include openness, conscientiousness, extraversion,
and neuroticism.1 OCEAN is the acronym commonly used by psychologists to help people remember all five traits.
Overall, the Big Five is a useful tool for considering and learning more about personality traits. It's also useful in identifying
and predicting how people will respond in different situations.
Characteristics of Agreeableness

Some common characteristics of people who score high in agreeableness include the following:

 Get along well with others

 Are popular and well-liked
 Care for others in need
 Are helpful, kind, and considerate
 Display sensitivity
 Are socially and emotionally intelligent
 De-escalate conflict
 Refrain from judging people
 Give others the benefit of the doubt
 Like to collaborate
 Form friendships easily
 Tend to be altruistic and perceptive
 Are emotionally supportive

Overall, agreeableness describes a person's ability to put other people's needs above their own. For instance, people who
are high in agreeableness naturally experience empathy and tend to get tremendous pleasure from serving others and
taking care of them.

Agreeable people also are trusting and forgiving and would rather collaborate than compete with others. Clearly, scoring
high in agreeableness can be advantageous in many situations because it's a key trait in attaining and maintaining
popularity. Agreeable people are generally well-liked and a joy to be around. Most people consider them good friends.

Although agreeableness has many positive aspects, there are some downsides. For instance, agreeable people may
struggle to assert their wants, needs, and preferences. They also struggle in situations that require tough decisions
or tough love. And when it comes to their careers, they may be so intent on helping others get ahead that they forget to
plan their own advancement.

Meanwhile, people who score low in agreeableness tend to be more hostile, antagonistic, and competitive. They also tend
to have more difficult relationships that are riddled with disagreements and breakups.

Overall, if you are an agreeable person, some common behaviors probably occur pretty consistently in your life. Here are
some common ways that people who are high in agreeableness behave. Look for yourself in these scenarios:

 Put the interests of others before their own

 May engage in people-pleasing behavior
 Need affirmation from others
 Are kind, considerate, and helpful
 Tend to get involved in altruistic activities or community events
 Will compromise on their ideas and ideals if it reduces conflict
 Refrain from being abrasive or contradicting
 Try to be honest and sincere in words and deeds

How to Become More Agreeable

Agreeableness depends on a person's underlying temperament and innate personality. However, there are also things
that you can do to help cultivate greater agreeableness. Steps you can take include:

 Finding positive role models with high agreeableness: Spending more time with people with this personality
trait can help you develop more cooperative behaviors.
 Collaborating with others: Working with others on projects requiring you to maintain social harmony can help
improve your agreeableness abilities.
 Thinking of others: Make an effort to put yourself in other people's shoes. Imagining how others are feeling can
help you behave in more empathetic, kind, and helpful ways.
In general, people tend to become more agreeable as they grow older.

What Is Conscientiousness?

When someone is conscientious, they are able to exercise self-discipline and self-control in order to pursue and ultimately
achieve their goals. People with high conscientiousness are also organized, determined, and able to postpone immediate
gratification—all of which contribute to a more successful life.1
If you've taken a personality test and scored high in conscientiousness, you may be wondering what this means for you.
Learn more about the conscientious personality trait and how conscientiousness can affect your behaviors.

If you score high in conscientiousness, that doesn't mean that you won't find other aspects of the Big Five within your
personality. Each trait is viewed on a continuum. You can be high, low, or somewhere in the middle when it comes to
each trait.

In other words, even though you may be dominant in conscientiousness, you will still have some level of the other four
traits represented. The Big Five is a useful tool for understanding personality and is also helpful in identifying how people
respond to different scenarios or stressors in their lives.
Common Characteristics of Conscientiousness
While some people are more likely to choose what feels good right now, conscientious people tend to work diligently
to achieve goals they've set for their future. They are responsible, reliable, organized, and hard-working. They also pay
attention to detail to make sure they deliver on their promises.
Someone who is conscientious will rarely make impulsive or careless decisions. Instead, their decision-making style tends
to be more rational and dependent (requiring support or guidance from others) and less spontaneous.4

Words often used to describe a conscientious person include:

 Organized
 Principled
 Responsible
 Forward-thinking
 Persistent
 Goal-oriented

Conversely, people who are low in conscientiousness tend to prioritize having fun in the moment. They are often
described as casual, laid-back, and relaxed. They are less likely to follow schedules and aren't prone to extensive
planning.

Signs of Conscientiousness

If you are a conscientious person, there are some common behaviors that you are likely to witness in your life. You might
say about yourself:

 I like for things to be neat and clean.

 I prefer order and organization.
 I try to always be prepared.
 I plan ahead and follow a schedule.
 I like to be precise and pay attention to details.
 I work hard and produce high-quality work.
 I get work done right away.

How Conscientiousness Influences Behavior

When someone tests high in conscientiousness, they are likely very dependable and organized. They also tend to be able
to control their impulses. Within the trait of conscientiousness, there are six facets or sub-traits that further describe
personality.
Achievement-Oriented

People who score high in conscientiousness tend to be high achievers—in school,5 at work,6 and even when playing
sports.7 They are always striving for excellence in everything they do. Consequently, they are often extremely ambitious
and tend to have lofty goals.

Meanwhile, those that score lower in conscientiousness may sometimes be viewed as lazy. They may be more content
with doing minimal work or skimping on their responsibilities.
Cautious
If someone scores high in conscientiousness, they are likely to carefully consider all the facts before making decisions.
They tend to think most things through and consider the consequences before finally acting.
Conscientious people often analyze situations and weigh the pros and cons before moving forward. People with low
scores, on the other hand, tend to be impulsive and take greater risks.
Dutiful
When someone scores high in conscientiousness, they are typically a very reliable person with a strong sense of duty
and moral obligation. They honor their commitments and follow through on their promises. Leaders with this trait have
higher ratings in integrity and accountability.8

People who score low in conscientiousness tend to view rules and regulations as restricting, limiting, and confining. They
may not feel responsible for anyone other than themselves. Consequently, low scorers may be viewed as irresponsible
and insubordinate.

Orderly
Typically, when someone is high in conscientiousness, they are highly organized and thrive with schedules and routines.
They may enjoy list-making and are often punctual with their time.

Many times, people with this trait will describe themselves as self-starters who are both orderly and neat. Conversely,
someone low in conscientiousness may appear more disorganized or feel scatterbrained.

Self-Disciplined
People scoring high in conscientiousness are often very self-disciplined. They tend to persevere even when things get
difficult or unpleasant. Some refer to this as having grit, which is closely connected to conscientiousness and self-
discipline.9
What's more, a conscientious person is able to stay focused and stick to the task at hand, even when faced with multiple
distractions. Low conscientiousness, however, may lead to the failure to complete tasks, especially if they are perceived
as being too difficult.
Prone to Self-Efficacy

When someone scores high in conscientiousness, they often have complete confidence in their ability to reach their goals
and be successful. They tend to believe in themselves and their abilities, and they have a great deal of ambition to see
things through to the end.

Conversely, people who score low in conscientiousness tend to feel ineffective. They also often believe that they have no
control over their lives.
Pros and Cons of Conscientiousness
Multiple studies have shown that being conscientious is associated with better health.10 This may be because people who
score high in conscientiousness tend to engage in lower-risk health behaviors. For example, studies indicate that the
higher one's level of conscientiousness, the lower their rate of substance use.11

Other research-supported benefits of being conscientious include:

 Earning a higher income12

 Getting better grades in school5
 Having a higher level of job satisfaction

Ways to Increase Conscientiousness

Do you wish you had more of this personality trait? The good news is that you can change your level of conscientiousness
—even if you're struggling to do so motivationally.14 You might try these strategies:
  Avoid procrastination. Instead of putting things off until later, take care of them when they first arise. This keeps
your to-do list from getting too long while also helping you work on your self-control.
 Consider decisions carefully. When faced with a decision, you may be tempted to act on it quickly. However,
take the time to consider your options if you can. This can stop you from being impulsive, helping you act in a
more cautious manner.
 Create a weekly schedule. Take time once a week to plan the following week. Put scheduled events on your
calendar and note the tasks that you want to get done each day.
 Get organized. File paperwork away, clean your closets, and organize your drawers. Come up with a place for all
your things and get rid of the items you don't need.
 Set goals. Conscientious people are goal-oriented. So, take the time to set goals for yourself. Next, develop a
plan for meeting them.
 Slow down. If you are low in conscientiousness, you may have a tendency to skip the smaller details. Slow
yourself down when you're tempted to do this, paying closer attention to whatever it is you're working on.

How Extroversion in Personality Influences Behavior

In the big 5 theory of personality, extroversion (often known as extraversion) is one of the five core traits believed to make
up human personality. Extroversion is characterized by sociability, talkativeness, assertiveness, and excitability.
People who are high in extroversion tend to seek out social stimulation and opportunities to engage with others. These
individuals are often described as being full of life, energy, and positivity. In group situations, extroverts (extraverts) are
likely to talk often and assert themselves.1
Introverts, on the other hand, are people who are low in extroversion. They tend to be quiet, reserved and less involved in
social situations. It is important to note that introversion and shyness are not the same.2
People low in extroversion are not afraid of social situations. They simply prefer to spend more time alone and do not
need as much social stimulation.
Extroverts are often unfairly stereotyped as overly talkative or attention-seeking. In reality, they simply gain energy from
engaging in social interaction. People who are high in extroversion need social stimulation to feel energized. They gain
inspiration and excitement from talking and discussing ideas with other people.
Common Extroversion Traits

Extroversion is often marked by a number of different sub-traits. An extrovert may be:

 Action-oriented
 Assertive
 Cheerful
 Engaging
 Happy being the center of attention
 Friendly
 Gregarious
 Novelty- and excitement-seeking
 Talkative
 Warm

Causes of Extroversion
The exact reason why people tend to be more extroverted or more introverted has been the subject of considerable
debate and research in psychology. As with many such debates, the question tends to boil down to two key
contributors: nature and nurture.

 Genetics: Extroversion clearly has a strong genetic component. Twin studies suggest that genetics contribute
somewhere between 40% and 60% of the variance between extroversion and introversion.3
 Environment: Sibling studies published in 2011 have suggested that individual experiences carry greater weight
than do shared experiences in families.
 Extroversion
and Behavior
How does extroversion affect behavior? Researchers have found that being high in this personality trait is linked to a
number of different tendencies. In addition to contributing to personality, this trait may also play a role in career choices.

According to researchers, extroversion is associated with leadership behavior.6 Since extroverts are more likely to assert
themselves in groups, it makes sense that they often take on leadership roles when working with other people.

Those high in extroversion are often described as having a very positive outlook on life as well as being friendly,
energetic, and highly adaptable.

As you might imagine, high levels of extroversion can be particularly well suited to jobs that require a great deal of
interaction with other people. These might includes jobs in teaching, sales, marketing, public relations, and politics.

Introverts prefer less social interaction, so jobs that require lots of independent work are often ideal. Writing, computer
programming, engineering, and accounting might appeal to a person low in extroversion.

What Is a Neurotic Personality?

Characteristics and Causes of a Neuroticism

Neuroticism is a core personality trait characterized by emotional instability, irritability, anxiety, self-doubt, depression, and
other negative feelings. Like other personality traits, neuroticism exists on a continuum, which means that people can be
high, low, or somewhere in the middle in terms of this trait.

Neuroticism can affect relationships in various ways. Neurotic tendencies, for example, can sometimes cause friction.
Learn how neuroticism can affect relationships, as well as a few ways to keep the potentially negative impact of this
personality trait to a minimum.

What Is Neuroticism?
Neuroticism is a trait that reflects a person's level of emotional stability. It is often defined as a negative personality trait
involving negative emotions, poor self-regulation (an inability to manage urges), trouble dealing with stress, a strong
reaction to perceived threats, and the tendency to complain.

People with neuroticism often become easily aroused when stimulated or have a reduced ability to calm themselves down
when upset or worried. This concept has roots in Freudian times but was later expanded upon by Hans Eysenck and
others.
Neuroticism is one of the "Big Five" personality traits, along with extraversion, openness, conscientiousness, and
agreeableness (OCEAN or CANOE are acronyms sometimes used to remember these traits). These are enduring
personality traits that serve as common ways of categorizing people.
Common Neurotic Traits

How do you know where you fall on the neuroticism spectrum? People who are at the higher end are often described as
having a neurotic personality and tend to show the following characteristics:
  An overall tendency toward negative emotions
 Feels of anxiety or irritability
 Poor emotional stability
 Feelings of self-doubt
 Being self-conscious or shy
 Experiencing moodiness, sadness, or depression
 Easily stressed or upset; unable to handle stress well
 Dramatic changes in feelings
 Lack of resilience or difficulty bouncing back after adversity
 Chronic worrying about a variety of things
 Tendency to interpret neutral situations as threatening
 Often view minor problems as overwhelming
 Difficulty controlling urges or emotions in the moment
 Easily becoming jealous or feeling envy about what others have
 Frustration or anger about everyday occurrences
 Feelings of fear or guilt over minor things

Causes of Neuroticism

What might cause one person to score higher in neuroticism than another? Here are a few factors to consider.

 Brain function: A smaller-scale study found that after viewing unpleasant images, people rating higher in
neuroticism had lower oxygen levels in their lateral prefrontal cortex than those with lower neuroticism
ratings.3 This area of the brain plays a role in a variety of cognitive processes.
 Childhood trauma: Experiencing some type of trauma later in life doesn't appear to increase neuroticism, but
exposure to these types of events when you're younger does seem to have this effect.4
 Climate: If you live in a climate that is prone to more extreme weather patterns, it may increase your risk of
neurotic personality traits—potentially due to poorer dopamine function as a result of climatic stress.5
 Gender: One multicultural personality study found that women scored higher for this trait in all of the 22 countries
studied.6 Although, the gap between genders does appear to be smaller in the online world. It's thought that this is
because you can be more anonymous online, which reduces worries over what others might think of you.7
 Genetics: Some research suggests that neuroticism is inherited, much the same as we inherit other traits such as
our height.8 Thus, to a certain degree, we may be born with a tendency toward this particular personality trait.
 Survival: It has even been argued that neuroticism may be rooted in evolution as, in some respects, being
hypersensitive to danger or threats could offer a survival advantage.

How Neuroticism Affects Behavior

As mentioned previously, neuroticism may help people survive because they have a tendency to pay more attention to
negative outcomes or risks. Research has also connected this trait with higher levels of academic success.11

On the other hand, a neurotic personality can have negative effects on behavior, such as if you are unable to manage
feelings of worry. In some cases, neuroticism may contribute to the development of mental health issues such
as depression or anxiety.12
A 2019 study adds that neuroticism was the only "Big Five" personality trait that could significantly predict participants'
cognitive decline.13 This decline was assessed by looking at health behaviors such as whether the participant took action
to maintain their wellness or if they engaged in substance misuse.

In general, people who are high on the neuroticism scale react with quick arousal to situations and can take a long time to
get back to their baseline level. In other words, they live with emotional instability and may have trouble regulating their
behaviors as a result.

How Neuroticism Affects Relationships

Neuroticism can have negative impacts on personal relationships. Here are a few of the ways in which this personality
trait can affect how you relate to the people in your life.
Higher Level of Annoyance

People who are high in neuroticism can sometimes be seen as annoying. For example, a person with neurotic behaviors
might grate on the nerves of those around them by:

 Being critical of others

 Being overly dependent on others, or asking for help instead of figuring things out for themselves
 Complaining a lot
 Constantly asking for reassurance
 Taking small issues and making them out to be bigger than they are

Coping With a Neurotic Personality

If you have a high level of neuroticism and are concerned that it may be harming your relationships, there are a few things
you can do to better cope with this personality trait.

Know That Change Is Possible

Although personality traits are considered to be relatively stable over time, they can and do change.18 They can also be
managed to help reduce their negative effects and increase their positive effects. Recognizing that you have some control
over how you respond to situations is a good first step to choosing healthier responses.

Keep a Gratitude Journal

Writing out the things you are grateful for helps remind you that even if your life isn't perfect, there is still a lot to be
thankful for. Make it a habit to write in this journal every morning or every night. Use it to remember all of the good that life
has to offer.
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness can help you manage your emotions by keeping you in the present moment. Being mindful provides other
benefits as well, such as lowering blood pressure and reducing feelings of stress.19
Work on Your Problem-Solving Skills
Problem-solving involves looking at an issue objectively, then considering viable solutions. This practice removes emotion
from the equation, reducing the tendency for a negative response. It also helps you look for ways to resolve things that
bother you versus letting them pile up.
Find Ways to Relieve Stress
Chronic stress can make you feel more negative.20 So, find a way to let your stress out, making room for more positive
emotions. Join a gym, start a meditation practice, take up yoga, or get in touch with your creative side and de-stress by
painting, drawing, or making some type of art.
Seek Professional Help
If you have difficulties with feelings of neuroticism or neurotic behavior, you might benefit from professional help. Cognitive
behavioral therapy (CBT) is one option to help you manage your worries, for instance. Acceptance and commitment
therapy (ACT) might be another, helping you to better deal with your negative emotions.

How Openness Affects Your Behavior

Openness refers to how open-minded you are to new ideas or experiences. Research has also connected this personality
trait with creativity and intelligence.1

Benedek M, Jauk E, Sommer M, Arendasy M, Neubauer A. Intelligence, creativity, and cognitive control: The common
and differential involvement of executive functions in intelligence and creativity. Intelligence. 2014;46:73-83.
doi:10.1016/j.intell.2014.05.007
In the field of psychology, openness is sometimes called 'openness/intellect' or 'open to experience.'

Here we explore what openness means, ways that it can affect your behavior, and how it is measured. We also discuss
why some people are more open than others and provide steps you can take if you want to strengthen this aspect of your
personality.
High Openness
People high in the trait of openness tend to be more open-minded and willing to embrace new ideas and novel
experiences. They approach unfamiliar things with a level of curiosity. They're also good at thinking about and making
connections between different concepts and ideas.
Being high in openness is associated with higher levels of creativity and increased creative achievement, particularly in
the arts.3 Some research has even connected this trait with a higher level of intelligence. For instance, one study noted
that people with genius-level intelligence often have high openness.4
Low Openness
People low in openness tend to prefer routine and tradition. Unlike individuals with high openness, they approach new
experiences and ideas with great caution and strive for familiarity instead.

Someone low in openness may pass up opportunities that involve change, even if those changes could lead to academic
or career advancement. Rather than pursue a career that would be more rewarding, for instance, they may decide to stay
in their current role because it is familiar.

Individuals with extremely low openness may be seen as rigid and close-minded, and they may find it difficult to cope with
change.

Common Characteristics of Openness

A person high in openness tends to have several of the following characteristics:

 Adventurous and likes novel things

 Creative, often interested in artistic endeavors5
 Enjoys hearing new ideas
 Intelligent and knowledgeable4
 Likes thinking about abstract concepts
 Usually more liberal6 and open to diversity

Openness to experience is correlated with another psychological trait known as absorption. Absorption involves having a
vivid imagination and increases one's likelihood of having spiritual experiences, along with being linked with
greater hypnotic susceptibility.7
People high in openness enjoy things that are new, different, and surprising. They are also more likely to pay attention to
their feelings and inner experiences.
Factors That Influence Openness
Is a person's tendency to be open or closed to experience influenced by their genetics or environment? In psychology, this
is known as the nature versus nurture debate, and research has found connections for each.

For example, one study found that openness predicted 18% of the brain's default network function variation, suggesting a
biological component to this trait.8 This network deals with retrieving episodic memories, future thinking, and creative
cognition.

Other studies suggest that one's environment plays a role in openness development.9 The way you were parented and
your interactions with others can both impact how open you are to new ideas and experiences.

It's important to recognize that environment can be a two-way street. Where you tend to spend most of your time can
impact personality trait development, but your personality traits can also influence the types of environments you prefer to
frequent.10

Some studies suggest that openness tends to decrease with age.

Determining Your Level of Openness

Like the other personality dimensions, openness to experience is often measured using self-report inventories. These
questionnaires typically contain a number of statements and people must choose a response that best reflects how much
they agree with the statements on a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree).
How Open to Experience Are You?

If you are curious about how you might score on this personality trait, this informal quiz can give you a general idea.
Examples of statements used to determine one's level of openness include:

 I'm good at coming up with new ideas.

 I often think about the deeper meaning of things.
 I'm curious about how things work.
 I enjoy thinking about theoretical ideas.
 I have many artistic hobbies.
 I place a high value on aesthetics and artistry.
 I have an active imagination.
 I appreciate being around diverse groups of people.
 I enjoy philosophical discussions.
 I tend to daydream or easily get distracted by flights of fancy.
 I like going to cultural events, art museums, and poetry readings.
 I prefer theoretical discussions over making small talk.

If you strongly agree with most or all of these statements, you are likely very open to experience. If you strongly disagree,
you might be low in openness. If your answers are somewhere in between, you are probably like most people and fall
somewhere in the middle of the openness spectrum.

The advantage of self-reports is that they are quick and easy to administer. One potential downside, however, is that their
results aren't always reliable.12

People sometimes answer in ways that they consider to be more socially desirable. In other instances, they select
answers that reflect how they want to see themselves rather than choosing answers that are more reflective of their true
thoughts and behaviors.
How to Increase Your Openness

If you want to be more open to ideas and experiences, there are a few things you can do:

 Change up your routine, such as driving a different way to work

 Make it a point to learn one new thing each day
 Set aside a few minutes every day to daydream or let your mind go wherever it would like
 Spend time with people from different backgrounds and cultures
 Try a new hobby or participate in a new activity

2.) FOUR TRAIT THEORIES OF PERSONALITY

Allport’s trait theory, Cattell’s 16-factor personality model, Eysenck’s three-dimensional model, and the five-factor model
of personality.

9.) The five-factor model of personality

Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism

10.The New University Mission

The Pangasinan State University Shall Provide a Human-Centric, Resilient and Sustainable Academic Environment to
produce dynamic, responsive and future-ready individuals capable of meeting the requirements of the local and global
communities and industries.

11.The New University Vision

To Be A Leading Industry-Driven State University in The ASEAN Region by 2030