Category: Personality Psychology

Categories
Personality Psychology

Ambivert vs Omnivert – The Ultimate Battle of the ‘In-Between’ Personalities!

Difference between ambivert and omnivert

Terms can be misleading. No more so than when describing personality types. We’ve all heard of extroverts (the party people) and introverts (the homebodies who want to prove your social media stats is actually accurate).

Then there are the in-betweeners—ambiverts and omniverts—who leave us wondering what we ever thought we knew about people interaction.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I an ambivert or an omnivert? Or am I just lost?”—don’t worry. You’re not alone!

Let’s demystify.

Meet the Ambivert: The Middle-Ground Champion

Imagine an ambivert as a middle child of an introvert and an extrovert. They’re like that one friend who likes to go out but don’t have to be the life of the party. They live for social interaction and solitude—balance is their secret ingredient.

How to Identify an Ambivert?

  • They enjoy socializing and yet love having a quiet evening by themselves.
  • They aren’t easily drained by crowds, but they don’t require endless social contact either.
  • They can engage in deep, substantive conversations and joke like a stand-up comedian.
  • They are high-energy one day and bed-hopping another.
  • They don’t feel “out of place” among people, but they don’t have an endless desire for it.

Ambiverts are like social chameleons—they can easily blend into different social settings without feeling drained or forced. They naturally adjust to different people and situations, knowing when to be talkative and when to stay quiet. Unlike extroverts, who thrive on constant interaction, or introverts, who prefer solitude, ambiverts strike a balance. They can enjoy socializing but also appreciate alone time.

The ambivert’s ability to adapt without much effort makes them comfortable in almost any situation.

Welcome the Omnivert: The ‘All-or-Nothing’ Individual

Now, omniverts are something else. They don’t balance introversion and extroversion like ambiverts do. They swing wildly between the two. One day, they’re the loudest, most social person in the room.

The next? They may ghost everyone for weeks. It’s not mood swings—it’s just the way their personality is.

How to Spot an Omnivert

  • They have very social phases. They’re chatting constantly one day and avoiding people the next.
  • They love parties or absolutely hate them—there’s no middle ground.
  • Others are often perplexed by their actions—”Weren’t you extremely chatty last time?”
  • They require time to recover from being around people, but when they return, they’re 1000% energized.
  • They don’t only adjust to social environments; they change personalities based on their mood.
Short and sweet?

Omniverts are the mood swings of the personality sphere. When they’re extroverting, they’re the life of the party. When they’re introverting, they vanish like magic.

Ambivert vs. Omnivert – The Ultimate Face-Off

1. Control Over Their Social Battery

Ambiverts have a consistent social battery. They don’t run out of energy too fast, but they also don’t overcharge.

Omniverts? They either have full battery or 0% battery—nothing in between.

2. Predictability

Ambiverts are predictable. You generally know how they’ll behave in different situations.

Omniverts? Unpredictable. One day they’ll be the most social person you know, and the next, they’ll vanish.

3. Social Preferences

Ambiverts adapt to social interactions; they don’t get overwhelmed or depleted too fast.

Omniverts alternate between needing to be around people and avoiding them altogether.

4. Energy Levels

Ambiverts experience an even energy stream.

Omniverts? Everything or nothing. They’re either the most vocal in the room or the most silent.

Struggles of Ambiverts & Omniverts in Friendships, Relationships & Personality Tests

Being an ambivert or an omnivert is basically the best of both worlds, isn’t it? You can be social and have alone time.

But life? It’s not as easy as it looks—particularly when it comes to friendships, relationships, and even personality tests! Let’s discuss the issues nobody prepares you for.

1. The ‘Hot & Cold’ Problem in Friendships

One day, you’re the party animal. The next, you’re avoiding texts and just want to be left alone. This gets confusing.

  • Your friends might believe you’re getting bored or are being moody when really you just need some space.
  • Some people will even think that you’re pretending to be your personality, which is infuriating.
  • Plans are difficult because you really have no idea how you’ll be feeling that day.

For ambiverts, this is not as drastic because their social energy is consistent. But omniverts? They experience extreme personality changes, and that makes having friends difficult.

2. Relationships Feel Like a Tug of War

Dating as an ambivert or omnivert is a wild ride. Why? Because your social needs and energy levels keep changing.

  • You crave deep conversations but then suddenly crave alone time.
  • You like to go out with your partner, but the next time they invite you, you’d prefer to stay at home.
  • Your partner might feel as though they’re dating two individuals, which creates misunderstandings.

With omniverts, this is even more extreme. They can be really clingy one day and totally distant the next—not because they don’t care, but because their personality changes naturally. And let’s be honest, not everyone gets that.

3. The Struggle with the Personality Test

Ever sit down to take a personality test and think, “None of these questions fit me”? Yeah, you’re not alone.

  • Most tests are black and white—you’re either introverted or extroverted. But what if you’re both?
  • You could get a different result each time you take the test, and wonder: Who am I really?
  • Others may think they have put a label on you due to a test that doesn’t do you justice.

Ambiverts tend to rate somewhere in between, but omniverts? Their results could be scattered left and right according to the state of their minds that particular day.

Why Ambiverts and Omniverts Are So Misunderstood

Being an ambivert or an omnivert is like being in the middle of two worlds—introverted at times, extroverted at times, but never completely one or the other.

And guess what? This confuses people a lot.

People expect you to be either a social butterfly or a quiet, reserved person. But one day you’re the party animal and the next day you just need to be by yourself, and that leaves them completely bewildered. Friends may wonder, “Why are you being so quiet today? Are you angry?” when you’re just happy to have some space. Or they’ll say, “You never want to go out!” the day after you’ve spent a whole week going out.

Omniverts, specifically, become most misunderstood since their transition between social and reserved isn’t merely subtle—it’s drastic. They may be the life of the party and then vanish for days, requiring recharging. Their inconsistencies make people believe that they’re moody, insincere, or unreliable. What they’re actually doing is simply operating on a different wavelength.

Emotional Burnout: The Hidden Struggle

Imagine having to constantly adjust your personality based on your energy levels. One day, you’re vibing with everyone, and the next, even a simple conversation feels exhausting. This constant push and pull between being social and needing alone time can be mentally draining.

Ambiverts experience this burnout because they’re constantly balancing their desire for people time with their desire for alone time. If they push it too far—too many parties, too much chatter, too much “people time”—they crash. And if they stay isolated for too long, they become restless and disconnected.

For omniverts, the burnout is even more severe. Their personality shifts are stronger, so it’s more difficult for them to handle. One minute they’re pumped up and loving being around people, but when their energy depletes, they crash and burn. This abrupt shift makes even mundane daily tasks—such as responding to texts or chatting small talk—feel draining.

Which One Are You?

Still lost? Here’s a quick quiz to determine which one you are:

• Do you like socializing but also need your alone time? → Ambivert.

• Are your social patterns steady without drastic mood swings? → Ambivert.

• Do you go through drastic periods of being very social and then withdrawing completely? → Omnivert.

• Do family and friends often say, “You’ve changed so much since the last time!”? → Omnivert.

• Do you find it easy to socialize without becoming exhausted or feeling overwhelmed? → Ambivert.

If you answered primarily 1s & 2s, well done! You’re an ambivert—the even social butterfly.

If you answered primarily 3s, 4s & 5s, you’re an omnivert—the personality wild card.

Final thoughts

There is no “better” personality type; whether you are an ambivert or an omnivert, each has its own appeal. Some people remain balanced and consistent, whilst others fluctuate depending on their mood, energy, or circumstances. That’s what makes us so interesting! Ambiverts have a natural ability to adapt to a variety of situations.

Omniverts, on the other hand, may be unexpected and alternate between extremes. Instead of worrying about labels, just accept who you are. Life would be quite boring if everyone was divided into nice little groups. Our differences set us apart, which is what makes life so interesting and enjoyable. After all, our own personalities, experiences, and viewpoints impact how we interact with the environment. Embracing your identity allows you to grow, learn, and form meaningful relationships. Whether you enjoy change or prefer stability, each trait has its own beauty. At the end of the day, authenticity is what really counts.

Categories
Psychology of Gender Personality Psychology

Understanding Masculinity: Types, Theories, and Cultural Impacts

defining masculinity

1.1 Definition of Masculinity

Masculinity, also referred to as manhood or manliness, is a set of attributes, behaviors, and roles associated with boys and men. Unlike biological sex, masculinity is a social construct that varies across cultures and historical periods (Ferrante & Joan, 2008).

Masculinity is often defined by traits and ideas that shape the stereotypical or ideal man, with traditional masculinity being the most recognized stereotype. However, traditional masculinity is not a single trait but a combination of multiple norms that define how men should behave (Mansfield, Addis, & Mahalik, 2003). These norms dictate behavior, attitudes, and roles that men are expected to adopt in different social contexts.

1.2 Types of Masculinity

The idea of multiple masculinities acknowledges that different masculinities exist in relation to various factors, including other men, women, cultural backgrounds, and socio-economic status (Saiwal, 2008). Masculinity is fluid and evolves over time, taking on different meanings depending on historical and cultural contexts (Brod & Kaufman, 1994). In diverse societies like the UK, multiple forms of masculinity coexist, each influenced by varying dynamics and norms.

Kimmel (1994) identified several distinct types of masculinity:

1.2.1 Hegemonic Masculinity

Hegemonic masculinity is the most dominant and culturally valued form of masculinity. It favors qualities such as heterosexuality, whiteness, physical strength, and emotional suppression. This form of masculinity often sets societal expectations for what it means to be a “real man.”

1.2.2 Complicit Masculinity

Men who do not fully embody hegemonic masculinity but still benefit from the patriarchal system without actively challenging it fall under complicit masculinity. These individuals often admire hegemonic traits but do not necessarily exhibit them themselves.

1.2.3 Marginalized Masculinity

Marginalized masculinity refers to men who cannot achieve hegemonic masculinity due to factors like race, sexuality, age, or religion. However, they may still subscribe to traditional masculine norms such as physical strength and aggression.

1.2.4 Subordinate Masculinity

Subordinate masculinity represents men who display characteristics that contradict hegemonic masculinity. These may include emotional expressiveness, physical weakness, or non-traditional gender roles. Gay or effeminate men are often associated with this category.

1.3 Theories of Masculinity

Several theories attempt to define and quantify masculinity. Some of the most influential perspectives include masculinity ideology and masculine gender role stress. According to Pleck, Sonenstein, and Ku (1993), masculinity ideology refers to cultural standards that men are socialized to adopt, while gender role stress highlights the pressure men feel to conform to these standards.

1.3.1 The Four Major Male Standards (Brannon & David, 1976)

Brannon and David (1976) outlined four core masculine standards:

  • “No sissy stuff” – Men must distance themselves from femininity, avoid emotions, and reject anything perceived as “soft.”
  • “Be a big wheel” – Men should prioritize achievement, success, and competition.
  • “Be a sturdy oak” – Men must be resilient, composed, and in control at all times.
  • “Give ’em hell” – Men should exhibit aggression and dominance to assert their masculinity.

1.3.2 Levant’s Masculine Norms (Levant et al., 1992)

Levant and his colleagues identified specific masculine norms that men are often expected to adhere to, including:

  • Emotional restriction
  • Avoidance of femininity
  • Aggression and toughness
  • Self-reliance
  • Prioritizing achievement
  • Objectifying sex
  • Homophobia

1.3.3 Mahalik’s Expanded Masculine Norms (Mahalik et al., 2003)

Mahalik and his team further expanded on masculinity by identifying additional norms, such as:

  • Winning
  • Emotional control
  • Primacy of work
  • Risk-taking
  • Violence
  • Heterosexual self-presentation
  • Playboy behavior
  • Self-reliance
  • Power over women

The level of masculinity in a man is often judged by his conformity to these norms. Those who closely align with these traits are perceived as more masculine, whereas those who reject them may be seen as less masculine (Mahalik et al., 2003).

The Impact of Traditional Masculinity

Traditional masculinity is often defined by a blend of these masculine norms, with power and dominance playing a significant role. Beliefs such as “I need to do anything to win” and “I feel weak if I’m not in control” can heavily influence a man’s self-perception and behavior.

While these norms have historically shaped male identities, rigid adherence to them can lead to negative consequences. The struggle to conform to traditional masculinity has been linked to poor mental and physical health outcomes, including stress, anxiety, and even depression (Levant et al., 2009).

Conclusion

Masculinity is a complex and evolving social construct that varies based on cultural, historical, and individual perspectives. While traditional masculinity has long dictated societal expectations for men, emerging theories and perspectives highlight the diverse ways masculinity is expressed. Recognizing multiple masculinities allows for a more inclusive and flexible understanding of what it means to be a man, paving the way for healthier and more authentic male identities.

References

Ferrante, Joan (2008), “Gender and sexualities: with emphasis on gender ideals”, in Ferrante, Joan, ed. (2010-01-01). Sociology: a global perspective (7th ed.). Belmont, California: Thomson Wadsworth. pp. 269–272. ISBN9780840032041.

Mansfield, K. M., Addis, M. E. & Mahalik, J. R. (2003) “Why won’t he go to the doctor?”: The psychology of men’s help seeking. International Journal of Men’s Health, 2(2), 93-109.

M. Kimmel, “Masculinity and Homophobia.,” Sage London, vol. H. Brod and M. Kaufman (Eds) Theorizing Masculinities , pp. 119-141, 1994.

B. R. Saiwal, (2008) “Construction And Diagnosis Of Gender,” Sindicate For Gender Mainstreaming, New Delhi, 2008

Mahalik, J. R., Locke, B. D., Ludlow, L. H., Diemer, M. A., Scott, R. P., Gottfried, M., et al. (2003). Development of the conformity to masculine norms inventory. Psychology of Men and Masculinity, 4, 3–25.

Brannon, R. (1976). The male sex role: Our culture’s blueprint for manhood, what it’s done for us lately. In D. David & R. Brannon (Eds.), The forty-nine percent majority: The male sex role. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.

Jr, E.H. & Ferrera, D.L. & Pleck, Joseph. (1992). Men and Masculinities: Scales for Masculinity Ideology and Masculinity-Related Constructs. Sex Roles. 27.

Categories
Dark Personality Psychology Personality Psychology

The Main Character Syndrome: A Philosophical Defence

the main character syndrome

Everything that we know about the world is filtered through our own subjective lens. Our trials and tribulations are unique. Our experiences might hold some similarities with others. However, they are distinct and separate from many of the people around us.

Even our siblings do not share the same views about everything. This reality is partly what causes the main character syndrome.

However, many of us are aware that we are not the only ones facing challenges very similar to us. Rather, every person we know has experienced almost the same spectrum of emotions as us.

But…

Plato posits the idea that some people are born different. And if they are cultivated in a certain way, they are the ones who are best suited to be leaders.

And is it not true?

I argue that it is desirable. But I am not sure if it is true.

A person with the main character syndrome, however, would agree with Plato. This person would believe that his/her goals in life are higher than others. This person would argue that they are destined to achieve ‘greatness’ in some way.

As most things in life, there is a positive aspect and a negative aspect to this thought.

Higher Goals in Life

Everyone’s goals are important to them.

But there still are goals that have a higher probability of making life better in some way for a large number of people.

You can either do it for the people around you. Or you can do it for yourself. In both cases, if one sets a high ceiling for themselves, there are chances you will be changing entire lives.

For example, Isaac Newton simply became curious about whether the speed at which the apple fell from the tree to the ground could be calculated, replicated and whether this rate was universal.

And he came upon the Law of Gravitation!

The goal does not have to address a global problem. But it is about solving a significant, functional problem. If it is a significant enough problem, even if you are doing it for yourself, you can help a lot of people!  

Belief in One’s Abilities

A clear positive of the main character syndrome is belief in one’s ability.

As social media grows in power with each passing day, we become even more embroiled in what we cannot do. According to a study, social media usage is linked to thinking that most problems in your life are caused because there is something wrong with you.

The main character syndrome can help you look on the other side.

I am bound to have a major impact on the world.

While the thought is not completely rational, it does provide you an opportunity to use your strengths.

Moreover, belief in possibilities can also reinforce you by itself. The higher goal that you have and the skills you develop along the way, all point to the confirmation that you are probably going to do something great.

There is obviously a mature way of looking at that.

But, what’s the point? The concept of destiny is in itself a motivator.  

Tendency to Improve

Research has indicated that grandiose narcissism is positively related to openness to change. That is, in order to improve one’s stature, grandiose narcissists can adapt to newer situations and skills.

When you are the main character, everything in your life is there to build your character. You are going to have entire character arcs and ultimately, you will get to the things you always wanted.

Or that’s basically what we think anyways.

Some important characters in your life fire you up. Some teach you important lessons. Yet others throw obstacles your way.

Being the main character that you are, you grow through it all. And you prove to your friends, family, the naysayers and the supporters that you truly are a force to reckon with.

This is actually a very useful approach to life.

Well, as long as you demonstrate enough grit.

Conclusion

The utility of any philosophy can be counted on how good it can either explain the world or improve it. For that reason, the main character syndrome can be a very positive condition for one to have. While it might not explain the world completely, it can make a person feel important in their life. They might actually end up doing a lot of good because of that.

However, there is always the danger of some event eventually knocking a person out of this mindset. Worse yet, such an event might knock them out of the positive part of this protagonist syndrome.

Whatever the case maybe, there are many positives to be gained from the main character syndrome.

Hell, even I might consider it!

Categories
Dark Personality Psychology Personality Psychology

The Positives of Machiavellianism

Positives of Machiavellianism

Classically, Machiavellianism has been seen as a negative trait. To define it briefly, Machiavellianism is a tendency towards intentionally and strategically manipulating others to gain and keep power and control. It is also a part of the Dark Tetrad traits of personality.

However, is there nothing positive to be gleaned from Machiavellianism?

I argue that there are small snippets of lessons that we might learn from this Dark Tetrad trait.

Navigating Through Organizations

In unstructured organizations, Machs seem to have an edge. They do best when they have less management oversight, less regulations, and greater decision-making authority. While this is not an ideal environment – it does show that Machiavellians can navigate through and perhaps benefit from work environments in which there is less discipline.

Moreover, if the individual displays some genuine sincerity, there are higher chances of professional success. Not only that, another aspect of Machiavellianism, ‘planfulness’ also can be beneficial for one’s success. Some research has also indicated that people high in this trait have better political skills.

Political skills, while often considered undesirable, do predict career success in certain situations. This is because workers who possess strong political skills may be able to manage their staff more effectively than through management techniques

Furthermore, Machiavellians tend to do better in marketing occupations, somewhat. Their expertise or confidence while promoting a certain product or service could be invaluable here.

However, there is an important caveat here.

According to Zettler and Solga (2013), work performance and Machiavellianism share a complex relationship. Having a high Machiavellianism level might improve work performance in the short term by creating positive initial impressions or a positive social reputation.

But in the long run, these advantages are countered by manipulative and cynical interpersonal interactions.

Manipulation with Low Cost

The belief in using manipulation to accomplish one’s goals in the workplace, when required, is known as organizational Machiavellianism. People who are at ease taking advantage of others and do it when it suits them are known as organizational Machiavellians.

Manipulation does not always have to be at the cost of the other person.

Instead, people who have high Machiavellian tendencies may also be very flexible and courteous; they are not always vengeful, cruel, or callous.

“(Monarchs) ought, at suitable seasons of the year, entertain the people with festivals and shows” (Machiavelli, p. 61).

Such conduct obviously comes across as courteous and accommodating.

As said earlier, manipulation done with genuine regard might actually portray the individual in a better light.

All without using deceit!

Learning Lessons from the Past

An important part of Machiavellianism is not repeating mistakes of the past. Also, incorporating positive points used previously can only increase your chances for success.

“… as to the mental training of which we have spoken, a prince should read histories, and in these should note the actions of great men, observe how they conducted themselves in their wars, and examine the causes of their victories and defeats, so as to avoid the latter and imitate them in the former.” (Machiavelli, p. 8)

If you disengage your personal cultural or social biases from your strategies you can also be open to try newer things.

This can actually be an adaptive attitude towards everything in life! Conventionally ‘good’ traits or practices can also be taken advantage of, if the person does not apply them smartly.

Competitiveness

According to a study on athletes, Machiavellianism is positively associated with task performance and competitiveness.

If you want to remain in power or gain it, you are likely to view others as your competition. This is, strictly speaking, not a bad thing. Competitiveness can predict better performance in various tasks. And competitiveness is associated with almost all the dark personality traits.

A Word of Caution

With the recent trend towards seeing ‘dark psychology’ as a positive thing, it does seem there are some benefits to it. Taking a look at authors like Robert Greene also would let you know some of the positives.

But there are major caveats to the popular explanation.

Is Machiavellianism Related to Intelligence?

Firstly, it is frequently believed that Machiavellians possess greater intellect. This perception is due to their proficiency in manipulating others, particularly when it comes to social comprehension. However, it is well documented that there is no connection between Machiavellianism and IQ.

One could also make the inference that Machiavellians would be better at interpreting emotions of others. However, here too there has been a negative correlation between Machiavellianism and emotional intelligence (EQ).

Conclusion

Niccolo Machiavelli was primarily concerned with advising rulers on how to best preserve order. He urged rulers to use a variety of actions, only a few of which were dishonest, in order to preserve the necessary order.

As a result, the Machiavellian concept is intrinsically complex.

Machiavelli’s manual translates into the use of dishonesty in the context of contemporary organizations, only when it is required to hold onto power and efficiently manage people.

Consequently, it should be evident that Machiavelli’s recommendations included more acceptable methods in addition to manipulativeness.

Categories
Personality Psychology

Psychoeducation: Do I have Personality Issues?

Navigating through one’s troubles is difficult. To have issues is part of being human. However, it can often feel as if our problems are not really solvable.

So what does one do?

Perhaps one of your colleagues said something particularly rude to you. Or maybe things at home seem to be conflicted. Maybe the person you love or have feelings for has started acting cold. Problems in relationships are inevitable.

But do you feel as if others can never understand you?

Do you try to one-up every other person you are in conflict with?

Or perhaps you feel incredible ‘pain’ when the people you trust do not meet your expectations.

And you do not see this level of pain in others.

It’s not that you don’t feel happy. You feel very happy when things are going right.

But when things are not going okay, it becomes impossible to stand it. So, to cope with this, you react explosively or even violently. This can even mean that you try to control this pain by hurting yourself physically.

If you have felt this way throughout most of your life, you might have features of a personality disorder.

What is a Personality Disorder?

Personality is a complex system of enduring traits and/or behaviors. It remains generally stable throughout life. So, a personality disorder is basically enduring sets of traits or behaviors that cause significant problems throughout one’s life.

How does a Personality Disorder Develop?

Most personality researchers agree on the fact that personality starts developing during childhood when an individual is exposed to various concepts, beliefs and behaviors. For example, a child born to more conservative parents is more likely to have conservative beliefs and behaviors. However, as the child grows older, other people begin influencing him/her. Friends and peers became a major part of life during school years. Teachers also play a major role.

Nevertheless, at some point, the individual gathers enough information to adopt certain patterns of thinking and behaving.

Following this line of reasoning, a personality disorder emerges when there are some major conflicts early on in an individual’s life. These could be a very conflict-ridden relationship between the parents. Or it could be how a caregiver might be too strict or too lenient with this person.

Moreover, a child might be shamed publicly at school or in the playground, which could make them behave in ways to protect themselves. And these behaviors could then become very inflexible.

Experiencing Personality Issues

If an individual feels as if the environment that his or her parents or caregivers have given them does not match the environment of practical or general life – this causes problems. This happens for most – if not all – of us. However, imagine if your childhood environment was very mismatched with the environment outside, in practical life.

Personality issues and disorders are ‘out of the social norm.’ If they were within the social norms, they would not be called major problems.

Hence, people who experience these personality problems tend to feel as if they are separated from everyone else’s experience. They might not understand how ‘regular people’ deal with life’s tribulations so easily.

On the other hand, some people with personality issues might feel as if they deal with these problems better than others. They may view themselves as superior. Because that is what they have felt much early on in life.

Such individuals might try to seek out people who are like them. A person with narcissistic personality disorder might thus try to associate with individuals who they perceive better than others. Similarly, an individual with borderline personality disorder might feel more drawn to people that have been traumatized as well.

If you find that your attachment styles in social relationships compromise them, especially if this has happened throughout your life, there is a high probability that you have personality complications. Furthermore, if your social behaviors seem to cause others a lot of issues – or even if you alone think that they have always troubled others – there too is a high probability of personality issues.

However, how can you be sure that there really is a significant problem?

Why Self-Diagnosis Can Do More Harm than Good

Self-diagnosis is the behavior of assigning oneself a disorder and/or disease without consulting with a certified practitioner. This behavior is concerning because it can make the individual try to act according to the condition they have diagnosed themselves with. They might not have that issue. But they might try to assume the stereotypical image of the disorder.

Moreover, relying solely on self-diagnosis might result in the person not seeking the relevant management for the problem. The presentation of bipolar 2 disorder and borderline personality disorder can often be very similar. But the way they are treated is very different. Wrongly assuming that you have a personality disorder can unnecessarily put off the correct management plan.

Personality issues are significant problems in behavior that might elude to a personality disorder. If you believe that you or someone you know might have this, it is important to seek the relevant help. By doing so, you can help improve or even save lives.

Categories
Personality Psychology

The Big 5 Personality Traits in Psychology

Written by Najwa Bashir

You might have seen or heard about The Big 5 Personality Inventory or Tests when reading about personality types, but what is it actually? Well, these tests or inventories are based on The Big 5 Personality Traits, grounded in the Trait Theory in personality psychology. Too much to digest? Let me define these terms for you to simplify things.

Personality Psychology

Personality psychology is a discipline of psychology that examines the characteristics and definition of personality, as well as its advancement, structure, traits, dynamic processes, fluctuations (with a focus on long-lasting and consistent individual variances), and dysfunctional forms. There is a long history of theories in this field, such as trait theories, psychoanalytic theories, role theories, learning theories, and type theories. These theories have tried to make sense of the different cognitive, emotional, motivational, developmental, and social aspects of human nature by putting them all together into a single framework. It has also come up with a lot of tests and evaluations to measure and understand different parts of psychology (American Psychological Association, 2018), one of which is The Big 5 Personality Test based on the trait theory.

Now, let’s move toward the trait theory to understand the background of The Big 5 Personality Traits.

Trait Theory

Trait theory is one of the most important science models for studying and explaining behavior. Modern approaches to traits have to deal with issues like creating an objective personality traits assessment, linking the descriptive traits with explanatory processes, using traits to understand the unique person, making the link between traits and behavior clear, and using traits to address central issues in personality psychology (for example, personality organization) (Fajkowska & Kreitler, 2018).

The Big 5 Personality Traits

The Big Five Personality Traits, often known as OCEAN or CANOE, is a psychological model that covers five major personality dimensions: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. These characteristics are thought to remain largely constant during a person’s lifespan. For the most of an individual’s life, the Big Five stay largely constant. With an estimated 50% heritability, they are greatly impacted by both genes and environment. Additionally, they forecast key life outcomes including health and education. Every characteristic is a continuum. For each attribute, an individual can be anywhere along the continuum. The Big Five Model contends that every personality feature is a spectrum, in contrast to other trait theories that divide people into binary groups (such as introvert or extrovert). As a result, people are placed on a scale that ranges from the two extremes of five broad dimensions (Lim, 2023).

Ernest Tupes and Raymond Christal, research psychologists at the Texas Lackland Air Force Base, developed the original model in 1958, but it was not until the 1980s that academics and scientists began to take notice of it. J.M. Digman developed his five-factor model of personality in 1990; Lewis Goldberg ranked it as the most highly organized. The majority of recognized personality traits have been discovered to be present in these five broad categories, which are thought to constitute the fundamental framework for all of them.

The Big 5 Personality Tests or Inventories you see online is based on this 5 factor model and it assess where you lie on the continuum of each attribute. Now, let me give you a broader view of these personality traits.

The five-factor model (FFM; Digman, 1990 as cited in Chmielewski & Morgan, 2013), or the “Big Five” (Goldberg, 1993 as cited in Chmielewski & Morgan, 2013), consists of five broad trait dimensions of personality. These traits represent stable individual differences (an individual may be high or low on a trait as compared to others) in the thoughts people have, the feelings they experience, and their behaviors. The FFM includes Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness (Chmielewski & Morgan, 2013). 

The following are the features of individuals possessing each of these traits (Darby, 2024):

Neuroticism

Sorrow irritability, and mental instability are all signs of neuroticism. Neuroticism is a person’s physical and mental reaction to stress and perceived danger in their daily life. It is often mistaken for antisocial behavior or, worse, a bigger psychological problem. People with high amounts of neuroticism often have mood swings, worry, and anger. People who go through quick changes in their personality every day might be highly anxious and react to a lot of stress at work and in their personal lives.

Anxiety, which is a major component of neuroticism, refers to a person’s ability to deal with strain as well as imagined or real danger. A person with neuroticism will think too much about many things and have trouble relaxing, even in their own place. On the contrary, people who are less neurotic are thought to be more steady and able to handle stress and difficult conditions better. Low anxious people also don’t feel sad or unhappy very often because they focus on the present moment and don’t think about things that might make them stressed.

Extraversion

Extraversion, which is also known as Extroversion, is a personality trait that many people have experienced. There’s no doubt that individuals scoring high on this trait get a lot of energy from being around other people. Being talkative, forceful, and showing a lot of feeling are some of the other traits that have made extraverted people easy to spot over many years of socializing.

There’s always at least one friend or family member who doesn’t exactly blend in when we’re with other people. They love being the center of attention, meeting new people, and having the most friends and acquaintances of anyone you know. The opposite is, of course, an introvert. Introverts rather be alone and have less energy when they are with other people. It can be very hard to be the center of attention or make small talk. Extroverts often work in jobs where they have to deal with a lot of people, like sales, marketing, teaching, and politics. Extroverts are more likely to take the lead than to just stand there and look like they’re not doing anything.

Openness

Openness is a trait that includes having creativity and understanding. This psychological trait has a lot to do with the world, other people, and wanting to learn and try new things. This makes you interested in many things and more willing to take risks when making choices.

Being creative is also a big part of being open, which makes it easier to think about things in a new or different way. Imagine someone who always chooses the craziest item on the menu, travels to strange places, and is interested in things you would never think of! In this case, the person is very open.  On the contrary, people who are low in this trait tend to have more standard views on life and may find it hard to solve problems that are outside of their area of expertise.

Agreeableness

People with a high agreeableness score will believe, care about others, be kind, and love others. People who are very agreeable are more likely to be highly prosocial, which means they want to help other people. Sharing, being comforting, and working together are all traits that make people easily get along with others. People usually think of empathy as a type of agreeableness, even though the word doesn’t really fit.

Disagreeableness is the opposite of agreeableness, but it shows up as socially awkward behavior. A lot of people are mean and manipulative to others, don’t care or sympathize with them, and aren’t interested in their issues.

People who are agreeable usually work in fields where they can make the most difference. People who work in mental health, medicine, soup kitchens, charity, and the third sector (social studies) are rated highly on the agreeableness scale.

Conscientiousness

Conscientiousness is an attribute that is characterized by high levels of thinking, good impulse control, and goal-oriented actions. People who work in science or even high-level business, where attention to detail and planning are important skills, often take this structured and organized approach. Someone who is very responsible will often think about what they are going to do and how their actions might affect other people. People who are very careful are often hired by project management teams and human resources departments to help balance out the structural roles in the general team growth.

Someone who always plans ahead for the next time they see you and also stays in touch with you on a regular basis to see how you’re doing is an example of a responsible person. They plan their days around events and dates and pay attention to you when you meet. On the other hand, people who are not very conscientious often don’t like order and plans, put off doing important things, and then don’t finish them.

Now that you have a clear picture of The Big 5 Personality Traits in Psychology, how would you rate yourself on a scale from 0 to 10 in case of each of the five traits? Write your answers in the comment section and I shall respond!

References

  • American Psychological Association (2018). APA Dictionary of Psychology. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/personality-psychology
  • Chmielewski, M.S. & Morgan, T.A. (2013). Five-Factor Model of Personality. In: Gellman, M.D., Turner, J.R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1005-9_1226
  • Darby, J. (2024). What Are The Big 5 Personality Traits? Thomas. Retrieved from: https://www.thomas.co/resources/type/hr-guides/what-are-big-5-personality-traits#:~:text=The%20five%20broad%20personality%20traits,openness%2C%20conscientiousness%2C%20and%20neuroticism.
  • Fajkowska, M., & Kreitler, S. (2018). Status of the trait concept in contemporary personality psychology: Are the old questions still the burning questions? Journal of personality, 86(1), 5-11. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12335
  • Lim, A. G. (2023). Big five personality traits: the 5-factor model of personality. Simply Psychology. Available at: https://www.simplypsychology.org/big-five-personality.html#Agreeableness