Everyone has their own personality, but only a few people actually take the time to learn more about themselves. However, it actually pays to reflect and understand our behavior because it’s something that is mirrored in our everyday decisions. It is what makes you unique and this is precisely one of the things that have a massive impact on our lives.
What makes you “you”? This question is quite simple and yet hard to answer. It’s a profound one that some people may respond with ease, while others just shrug it off. In relation to this, understanding your personality will greatly help in acknowledging strengths and weaknesses, as well as others’ perception of you.
Psychologists round up five personality types using the Five Factor Model, which consists of Openness to experience, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism (OCEAN) – painstakingly studied by experts for decades. It was Lewis Goldberg who narrowed down the 16 “fundamental factors” of Raymond Cattell into five. Which of the five do you belong?
Openness to Experience
Openness to Experience, as the name implies, is one’s receptiveness to new ideas, new activities to try, new lessons to learn, new adventures to embark on, and new risks to take. In short, this concerns a person’s willingness to be more vulnerable and to think outside the box.
Those who fall under this personality have the wildest imagination and have adequate interests. As such, they are more open to trying out something new rather than sticking with the old. People with high openness to experience tend to favor braving out in finding themselves through activities like meditations and living abroad.
They prefer an exciting experience outside their normal routine – basically, the reason why other people see them as unpredictable and without focus. More so, studies showed open people are more likely to air their political beliefs and thoughts.
Conscientiousness
Conscientiousness means being careful and staying on top of everything that you do. Conscientious people have control over things, making them efficient and dependable. Others see you as a self-starter who is also organized and systematic, as such, you hate cramming and procrastinating and, needless to say, love planning in advance.
Others who have low conscientiousness may deem their counterparts as obsessive and controlling. However, studies point out that it pays to get married to those with this trait because as per studies, they can immensely help you be efficient in the workplace.
Extroversion
Extroverts are those who have amazing people skills – meaning they thrive on socializing with others, as opposed to the introverts, who prefer to keep themselves. People who rank high in extroversion are characterized as outgoing and are socially confident, meaning they can start a conversation or talk with anyone else at the party.
They want to be the center of attention and enjoy meeting new people because it’s what recharges them. On the other hand, introverts feel more energized when they’re alone, are generally quieter than extroverts, and more aloof during gatherings. Meanwhile, other people may mistake extroverts as intimidating and attention-seekers.
Agreeableness
Agreeable people are kind and selfless, always willing to lend a hand to those in need. They show compassion toward other people; therefore, they oftentimes do volunteer work or any activity that’s centered on helping. Because of their nature, people who scored high on this trait, more often than not, work well with others in a group.
Agreeable people tend to be pacifiers whenever a problem arises. That said, they also avoid arguments, all the more confrontations, as much as possible, making others see them as passive and naïve. Just a tip, if you’re dealing with business, best to look for a partner or investor who ranks high in this personality as they are least likely to invest in something risky. Avoid teaming up with someone who has high openness because they’re most likely willing to take risks.
Neuroticism
Those who scored high on this trait are the worriers, who constantly feel something bad is going to happen. Among the five personalities, scoring high in this behavior is something negative. You usually get anxious, easily get sad, and have low self-esteem. In short, they experience emotional instability many times and other people may regard them as insecure and overly sensitive.