In modern iterations, the five personality traits that are recognised to encompass all others are:
Openness
People high in openness to experience like to learn new things, have strong imaginations and enjoy new experiences. They tend to be more creative, open to ideas and are curious about the world. They are also aware of and express their emotions with ease.
Conscientiousness
Conscientiousness relates to the way people control, regulate and direct their impulses. People high in conscientiousness are reliable and prompt, typically having strong self-control, common sense and an innate drive to achieve success. They are also well organised, make plans and are mindful of deadlines.
Extraversion
Extraversion measures sociability, talkativeness, assertiveness and emotional expression. Those high in extraversion enjoy interacting with others and are perceived as full of energy, whereas introverts need less stimulation and are more comfortable working alone.
Agreeableness
Agreeableness reflects individual differences in general concern for social harmony. Individuals high in agreeableness are friendly, cooperative, compassionate and dislike confrontation while those low in this trait tend to be more competitive and care less about what others think.
Neuroticism
Neuroticism measures an individual’s emotional stability and the degree to which they are impacted by negative emotions like anxiety, anger, depression and self-consciousness. Those who are low in this trait tend to be more stable and emotionally resilient in the face of changing circumstances.
In an employment context, the Big 5 model provides insight into a person’s underlying character that may otherwise remain hidden in traditional talent screening processes. An informed understanding of an individual’s personality traits allows interviewers to explore any areas of concern. Commonly used in the military, the Big 5 model reduces risk when recruiting for high-value roles.
