THE BIG FIVE - THE FIVE FACTOR MODEL OF PERSONALITY

This generally accepted model of the structure of normal personality is also referred to as the Big Five theory of personality or the Big Five. It is not a theory; however, it is a description of the components of reputation. Those components are commonly referred to as emotional stability, surgency, agreeableness, conscientiousness and intellectance.

Emotional stability concerns the degree to which an individual seems calm, steady, cool and self-confident versus anxious, insecure, worried and emotional. Personality traits associated with emotional stability include neuroticism, emotional stability, negative affectivity and affect.

Surgency concerns the degree to which an individual seems sociable, gregarious, assertive and leader-like versus quiet, reserved, mannerly and withdrawn. Some common personality traits associated with this dimension include dominance, capacity for status, or social presence, the need for power, sociability, surgency, or assertiveness.

Agreeableness concerns the degree to which an individual seems sympathetic, cooperative, good-natured and warm versus grumpy, unpleasant, disagreeable and cold. Personality traits associated with this dimension include likeability, friendly compliance), need for affiliation and love.

Conscientiousness concerns the degree to which an individual seems hardworking, persevering, organized and responsible versus impulsive, irresponsive, undependable and lazy. Personality traits associated with this dimension include prudence and ambition, will to achieve, need for achievement, dependability, constraint and work.

Intellectance concerns the degree to which an individual seems imaginative, cultured, broad-minded and curious versus concrete-minded, practical and has narrow interests. Personality traits associated with this dimension include culture and openness to experience.