The Big Five Aspects Scale
You have just completed assessing yourself with 100 phrases. Our systems have compared your-self-ratings to those of thousands of other people. You are being compared to men and women of all ages. This means that if you are young, your scores on neuroticism will be higher and on agreeableness and conscientiousness will be lower than if you were compared to people of your own age (with the reverse being true for older individuals). For men, their scores on agreeableness and on neuroticism will be lower than if they were just being compared to men. We decided to make the comparisons simple, so that you know where you stand in comparison to the typical person (with age and sex regarded as irrelevant).

Here are your results: You will see below where you stand in comparison to others in the general population on the major traits and their aspects:

Agreeableness: Compassion and Politeness
Conscientiousness: Industriousness and Orderliness
Extraversion: Enthusiasm and Assertiveness
Neuroticism: Withdrawal and Volatility
Openness to Experience: Openness and Intellect
Remember that each personality trait and aspect (and your relative position with respect to them) has advantages and disadvantages. It is for that reason that variation exists in the human population: there is a niche for each personality configuration. Much of what constitutes success in life is therefore the consequence of finding the place in relationships, work and personal commitment that corresponds to your unique personality structure. Good luck with your expanded self-understanding!

Note also that if you find that the descriptions harsher than you might consider appropriate this may mean that you were more self-critical than necessary when completing the questions (remember, the results are based on your own self-report, compared to that of others). This can occur if you were feeling temporarily or chronically unhappy or anxious, or hungry, angry or judgmental when you completed the questions.



Agreeableness: Typical
You are typical or average in agreeableness, which is the primary dimension of Interpersonal interaction in the Big Five personality trait scientific model. Agreeableness has two aspects: compassion and politeness, which will be explained separately. Agreeableness is a very complex trait, with marked positive and negative elements all along its distribution. Because of this, higher scores and lower scores need to be explained at the same time.

People high in agreeableness are nice: compliant, nurturing, kind, naively trusting and conciliatory. However, because of their tendency to avoid conflict, they often dissemble and hide what they think. People low in agreeableness are not so nice: stubborn, dominant, harsh, skeptical, competitive and, in the extreme, even predatory. However, they tend to be straightforward, even blunt, so you know where they stand.

Your score puts you at the 54th percentile for agreeableness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more agreeable than 54 of them and less agreeable than 45 of them.

AGREEABLENESS
54th percentile

You are more agreeable than 54 of 100 people
People with typical levels of agreeableness are seen by others as somewhat cooperative, warm and considerate. They look for and even sometimes see the best in others, and are reasonably interpersonally tolerant (an attitude that is much valued by agreeable people). They are no more sensitive than average to seeing someone’s feelings get hurt and, although sometimes concerned about the emotional state of others, don’t always prefer peace and harmony to conflict. They strike a good balance between submissiveness and dominance.

People with average levels of agreeableness are somewhat forgiving, accepting, flexible, gentle and patient. They sometimes feel pity for those who are excluded, punished or defeated. However, they are less likely than highly agreeable people to be taken advantage of by disagreeable people or those with criminal or predatory intent. They can be skeptical. They believe in cooperation, but also feel that competition, with its losers and winners, has its valid place. They are less likely to lose arguments (and will not typically avoid discussion) with less agreeable people. They can be quite good at bargaining for themselves, and at negotiating for more recognition or power. They are likely to have somewhat higher salaries and earn more money, in consequence. This may mean they are less likely to suffer from resentment or to harbour invisible anger, although this tendency may be increased, if they are high in neuroticism. In addition, because of their tendency to engage in conflict, when necessary, typically agreeable people are less prone to sacrifice medium- to long-term stability and function for the sake of short-term peace. This can mean that problems that should be solved in the present are often solved, and do not accumulate counterproductively across time.

Women are higher in agreeableness than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 61.5. For men it is 38.5. The fact that men are lower in agreeableness than women helps explain their much higher rates of criminal incarceration (90% male). The primary difference between criminals and non-criminals is disagreeableness. If the typical criminal is more disagreeable than 98% of people in the general population, then almost all those criminals will be male. This difference in agreeableness between men and women is largest in countries such as Norway and Sweden, where the most has been done to ensure equality of outcome between the sexes. This provides strong evidence that biological factors rather than environment and learning account for the dissimilarity.

Agreeableness, per se, is not strongly associated with political liberalism or conservatism, but this is because the aspects of agreeableness predict such political belief in opposite ways, and cancel each other out. Liberals are higher in aspect compassion, and conservatives in aspect politeness. However, alliance with the category of belief that has come to be known as politically correct is strongly predicted by agreeableness (particularly compassion). What this appears to mean is that agreeable people strongly identify with those they deem oppressed, seeing them, essentially, as exploited infants, and demonize those they see as oppressors, seeing them as cruel, heartless predators.

There are large differences between men and women in terms of spontaneous interest, and these also appear associated with agreeableness. Agreeable people, caring as they do for others, are more likely to enter professions associated with people, such as teaching and nursing, which are dominated by women. This is true even in the Scandinavian countries, where attempts to produce gender-equal societies has reached a maximum. Disagreeable people, by contrast, appear to prefer systematizing over empathizing, and are more interested in things – machines and technology. In consequence, professions such as engineering and trades associated with construction and machinery tend to be dominated by relatively disagreeable men.

Agreeableness has two aspects: compassion and politeness.



Compassion: Typical or Average
You are typical or average in compassion, which is one aspect of Agreeableness. Your score puts you at the 55th percentile for compassion. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more compassionate than 55 of them and less compassionate than 44 of them.

People who are typically compassionate people are reasonably interested in the problems of other people, and other living things. They are somewhat concerned about helping other people avoid negative emotion, but are willing to stand their ground, even when others get upset. They make time and do kind things for others, but balance that with fulfilling their own needs and interests. They have a soft side, but are not pushovers. Other people consider them reasonably sympathetic and nice, and will sometimes turn to them for a listening ear. They can be empathetic and caring. However, they are not primarily other-oriented, so they can negotiate effectively on their own behalf. This helps ensure that they get what they deserve, and shields them from the development of resentment.

COMPASSION
55th percentile

You are more compassionate than 55 of 100 people
Those who are liberal, politically, score somewhat higher in compassion than conservatives.

Women are also higher in compassion than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 61. For men it is 39.



Politeness: Typical or Average
You are typical or average in politeness, which is one aspect of Agreeableness. Your score puts you at the 52nd percentile for politeness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more polite than 52 of them and less polite than 47 of them.

Typically polite people can be deferential to authority, but can also be challenging, when necessary. They are not particularly obedient. They can be respectful, but will also push back if pushed. They are not made uncomfortable by the necessity of standing up to other people. Typically polite people will avoid conflict, reasonably, but are not completely averse to confrontation.

POLITENESS
52nd percentile

You are more polite than 52 of 100 people
Those who are liberal, politically, score somewhat lower in politeness than conservatives (the opposite pattern is seen with compassion).

Women are higher in politeness than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 59. For men it is 41.



Conscientiousness: Exceptionally Low
You are exceptionally low in conscientiousness, which is the primary dimension of dutiful achievement in the Big Five personality trait scientific model. Conscientiousness is a measure of obligation, attention to detail, hard work, persistence, cleanliness, efficiency and adherence to rules, standards and processes. Conscientious people implement their plans and establish and maintain order.

Your score puts you at the 2nd percentile for conscientiousness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be less conscientious than 97 of them and more conscientious than 2 of them.

People exceptionally low in conscientiousness do not consider duty as a virtue or an obligation. Instead, they regard those who slog away diligently at their task as suckers, teacher’s pets and boot-lickers. They will not even work hard if directly and continually pushed by outside forces (supervisors, spouses, friends, parents). They can be exceptionally skilled at wasting time and slacking off and justifying it. They are almost certain to procrastinate (particularly if they are also above average in neuroticism). Even if they do commit to doing something, they will be late, or delayed, even when there is absolutely no reason for failing to deliver. They inevitably formulate and deliver excuses for their failure under such circumstances, blaming the situation for their problems with task focus and completion. They are not all decisive, neat, organized, future-oriented, or reliable, and they find themselves constantly and continually distracted.

 CONSCIENTIOUSNESS
2nd percentile

You are less conscientious than 97 of 100 people
People with exceptionally low levels of conscientiousness are very likely to obtain poor grades in academic settings (particularly if they are also less intelligent), and require far too much supervision to stay on task. For this reason, they make very poor managers and administrators. They are not compelled to do things by the book, however. This can perhaps be an advantage, if they are engaged in creative tasks, where rules must be broken for advancement to take place. Exceptionally unconscientious people will not make a primary goal of career or education (or accomplishment in general), turning instead to pursuit of safety and security (if high in neuroticism), creative accomplishment (if high in openness), establishment of intimate relationships and friendships (if highly agreeable), or social success, excitement and fun (if extraverted). Such people are the very opposite of achievement-oriented.

People exceptionally low in conscientiousness tend to be almost completely free of guilt, shame, self-disgust and self-contempt. Other people, however, are almost certain to react negatively to their tendency to slack off and avoid responsibility (particularly if those other people are disagreeable and conscientious).

Individuals who are exceptionally low in conscientious appear completely unconcerned by failure. They are not at all judgmental, to themselves or others, and can easily and quickly find and formulate situational explanations for every instance of disappointment, frustration or lack of success. They can handle periods of inactivity and unemployment with total ease. They chronically and habitually downplay the relationship between hard work, diligence and success, insisting instead that chance factors and luck in life play the only determining roles. They live only for leisure and very much look forward to time off. They can be exceptionally good at relaxing, taking it easy, and living in the moment (particularly when low in neuroticism). They are completely unconcerned with cleaning, moral purity and achievement. It’s far more fun to be at the beach or at a party with a person exceptionally low in conscientiousness – but you don’t want to invite them over on moving day, or at any other time when something important has to be done, and done on time.

People exceptionally low in conscientiousness are much more likely to be political liberals rather than conservatives. This is particularly true if they are also high in openness.

Women are very slightly more conscientious than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 51.5. For men it is 49.5.

Conscientiousness has two aspects: industriousness and orderliness.



Industriousness: Exceptionally Low
You are exceptionally low in industriousness, which is one aspect of conscientiousness. Your score puts you at the 0th percentile for industriousness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be less industrious than 99 of them and more industrious than 0 of them.

People who are exceptionally low in industriousness are extremely unlikely to be successful in school and in administrative and managerial positions (particularly if they are also less intelligent). If they are highly intelligent, they will almost certainly be regarded as underachievers, by themselves and others. They don’t regard work as worthwhile or important, and are almost certain to procrastinate, miss deadlines, or fail to complete assignments or projects completely. They shirk all responsibility, concentrating on fun, worry, relationships, excitement or creative endeavor. They aren’t all concerned with or interested in schedules, timelines or efficiency, and are unlikely to complete their tasks even if supervised excessively. They lack focus and are far too-easily and continually distracted.

 INDUSTRIOUSNESS
0th percentile

You are less industrious than 99 of 100 people
People exceptionally low in industriousness are not at all judgmental to themselves or others. They continually and habitually let people, including themselves, off the hook. They insist that people fail not because they don’t apply themselves or work hard but because chance and luck play the only determining roles. They are very resistant to guilt, self-disgust or self-contempt, and have a totally laissez-faire, whatever-will-be-will-be attitude toward life.

Those who are liberal and those who are conservatives appear equally industrious.

Men are slightly more industrious than women. The mean percentile for men in a general population (women and men) is 51.5. For women it is 49.5.



Orderliness: Moderately High
You are moderately high in orderliness, which is one aspect of conscientiousness. Your score puts you at the 60th percentile for orderliness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more orderly than 60 of them and less orderly than 39 of them.

Moderately orderly people are more disgust-sensitive than average, somewhat judgemental, and have a tendency towards more authoritarian political attitudes.

Moderately orderly people can be somewhat disturbed—even disgusted—by mess and chaos. They would rather keep everything tidy and organized. They think in comparatively black and white terms: things are basically good or bad, acceptable or unacceptable, with less room for grey areas. They tend both to make and stick to schedules. They like everything where it should be—and are happier if it stays where it should be. They are somewhat detail-oriented but tend not to be obsessive. They are generally aware of social rules and tend to abide by them. They like routine and prefer the predictable. They can be good at ensuring that complex, sensitive processes are managed properly and carefully.

ORDERLINESS
60th percentile

You are more orderly than 60 of 100 people
Orderliness can constrain creativity, however, as creative endeavours often require mess, disruption and intervening periods of chaos, so moderately orderly people who are high in openness to experience may have some trouble letting go enough to indulge in their creativity.

Those who are moderately orderly are more likely to be political conservatives, particularly when low in openness to experience. The latter is the best predictor of conservative belief, while the former plays an additional determining role.

Women are more orderly than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 54.5. For men it is 45.5. This may account for some of the trouble in relation to housework between women and men. Since women are, on average, more orderly, household disorder will trigger disgust and discomfort in them faster. This may happen with sufficient frequency so they end up doing a disproportionate share of such work (even though if they waited a bit longer their less orderly partners, often men, might end up equally troubled and motivated to fix the problem). Orderly people are more likely to have items such as event calendars, drawer organizers, laundry baskets, irons and ironing boards in their immediate environments.



Extraversion: Low
You are low in extraversion, which is the primary dimension of positive emotion in the Big Five personality trait scientific model. You could also think of yourself as high in introversion. Extraversion is a measure of general sensitivity to positive emotions such as hope, joy, anticipation and approach, particularly in social situations.

Your score puts you at the 18th percentile for extraversion. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be less extraverted than 81 of them and more extraverted than 18 of them.

People with low levels of extraversion are much less enthusiastic, talkative, assertive in social situations, or gregarious. They find social contact somewhat draining and tiring, and crave time alone to recharge. They are much less likely to plan parties, tell jokes, make people laugh, or volunteer for community activities. They are more likely to be depressed and to have lower levels of self-esteem (particularly if they are high in neuroticism). They tend to be much less optimistic about the past, present and future.

 EXTRAVERSION
18th percentile

You are less extraverted than 81 of 100 people
People who are low in extraversion find it easy to keep things to themselves. They are by no means compelled to share everything with everyone. They are not self-disclosing and do not warm up quickly to other people. They are much more comfortable with one-to-one interactions than in a group-oriented situation. They rarely speak up in meetings, and are particularly unlikely to speak first, although they will express an opinion if asked. They are much less likely to captivate and convince, especially in groups, and will rarely be the first to act in an ambiguous situation.

People who are low in extraversion are much better suited to occupations that require work alone or with a few other well-known individuals (such as computer programming or accounting). Jobs involving sales, persuasion, work in groups and public speaking are quite unlikely to appeal to them, and they are less likely to be successful at such things (particularly if they are also high in neuroticism).

People low in extraversion are unlikely to be impulsive, even when offered the opportunity to do something exciting or fun. They are therefore unlikely to sacrifice the future to the present, when something social or group-oriented beckons. They find it relatively easy to be alone to study and work. They are not easily distracted by opportunities to chat, joke and socialize. This is particularly the case if they are also high in conscientiousness. However, when people are introverted and conscientious, they are less productive than when extraverted and conscientiousness, perhaps because they have lower levels of energy. When introverted and comparatively unconscientiousness, however, they are more productive than when extraverted and unconscientious.

People low in extraversion are less dominant in social situations, particularly when they are also low in agreeableness. Less agreeable extraverts tend to be self-centered – something that can be made worse if they are also low in conscientiousness. More introverted people are somewhat protected against such tendencies.

Those who are politically liberal are slightly less extraverted than conservatives.

Women are slightly more extraverted than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 52. For men it is 48.

Extraversion has two aspects: Enthusiasm and Assertiveness.



Enthusiasm: Moderately High
You are moderately high in enthusiasm, which is one aspect of extraversion. Your score puts you at the 70th percentile for enthusiasm. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more enthusiastic than 70 of them and less enthusiastic than 29 of them.

Individuals moderately high in enthusiasm are somewhat excitable, happy and easier to get to know. They will talk more about everything (particularly other people) than the typical person. They laugh or giggle more than average. They would rather spend time around other people than alone, and they tend to like parties. They don’t generally keep people at a distance, and are not too concerned with keeping things private. They are comparatively positive and optimistic. They warm up quickly to other people. They like stimulation, excitement, activity and fun. Enthusiastic people are gregarious, encouraging and people-loving, and tend to be quite positive about what might happen next.

ENTHUSIASM
70th percentile

You are more enthusiastic than 70 of 100 people
Enthusiasm is not strongly associated with political preference, either conservative or liberal.

Women are higher in enthusiasm than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 55. For men it is 45.



Assertiveness: Exceptionally Low
You are exceptionally low in assertiveness, which is one aspect of extraversion. Your score puts you at the 2nd percentile for assertiveness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be less assertive than 97 of them and more assertive than 2 of them.

People exceptionally low in assertiveness are not “take charge” types. They put their own opinions forward very rarely and with reservation, and do not dominate and control social situations. This particularly true if they are high in agreeableness. Such people are not known for their ability to captivate social groups, and manifest extremely little of the communication style often associated with leadership. This can be a pronounced handicap when they are knowledgeable, competent and able, but causes much less trouble when they aren’t. Those exceptionally low in assertiveness are not people of action. They virtually never leap in heedlessly and, in consequence, allow others to lead the way. They are very much less impulsive, in consequence, and virtually never act without thinking.

 ASSERTIVENESS
2nd percentile

You are less assertive than 97 of 100 people
Liberals tend to be slightly less assertive than conservatives.

Women are slightly less assertive than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 48. For men it is 52.



Neuroticism: High
You are high in neuroticism, which is the primary dimension of negative emotion in the Big Five personality trait scientific model. Neuroticism is a measure of general sensitivity to negative emotions such as pain, sadness, irritable or defensive anger, fear and anxiety.

Your score puts you at the 87th percentile for neuroticism. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be higher in neuroticism than 87 of them and lower in neuroticism than 12 of them.

People with high levels of neuroticism are more likely to think that things have gone wrong in the past, are going wrong now, and will continue to go wrong into the future. They are also more likely to be unhappy, anxious and irritable when just thinking or remembering, and when they encounter a genuine problem. They have substantially lower than average levels of self-esteem, particularly when they are also low in extraversion. Neuroticism is a risk factor for anxiety disorders and depression.

 NEUROTICISM
87th percentile

You are higher in neuroticism than 87 of 100 people
High levels of neuroticism may interfere with both success and satisfaction in relationships and career, with the strongest effect on relationships. High levels of neuroticism are associated with much more concern about mental and physical health, as well as more frequent physician and emergency room visits, and much more absenteeism at work and at school (particularly if accompanied by low levels of conscientiousness).

People with high levels of neuroticism appear to be much more risk-averse than average, which means they tend to avoid recreational, career, financial and social situations where the possibility of loss is high. Such people appear to be much more concerned with maintaining their current status, rather than enhancing it. Perhaps this is a good strategy in genuinely dangerous or uncertain times.

Neuroticism is not a powerful predictor of political belief, either conservative or liberal.

Females tend to be higher in neuroticism than males. The typical woman is higher in neuroticism than 60% of the general population of men and women combined. In part, this may be why women report more unhappiness in their relationships, at work, in school and with their health than men, on average, and why women initiate 70% of all divorces. This difference in neuroticism between men and women appears to emerge at puberty. It is largest in countries such as Norway and Sweden, where the most has been done to ensure equality of outcome between the sexes. This provides strong evidence that biological factors rather than environment and learning account for the dissimilarity.

Trait neuroticism is made up of the aspects withdrawal and volatility.



Withdrawal: Exceptionally High
You are exceptionally high in withdrawal, which is one aspect of neuroticism. Your score puts you at the 97th percentile for withdrawal. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be higher in withdrawal than 97 of them and lower in withdrawal than 2 of them.

Individuals exceptionally high in withdrawal may feel extreme levels of anticipatory anxiety. This makes it unusually challenging for them to approach new, uncertain, unexpected, threatening or complex situations. They are instead extremely more likely to avoid or withdraw in the face of the unknown and unexpected.

People exceptionally high in withdrawal are unusually more likely to feel sad, lonesome, disappointed and grief-stricken. They have exceptionally high levels of doubt and worry, become embarrassed easily, are self-conscious and get discouraged rapidly in the face of threat and punishment. Their anticipatory anxiety is extremely likely to be general. They are very sensitive to social rejection, and can be easily hurt. Once hurt, frightened, or anxious, as well, it takes them a long time to recover. Perhaps people exceptionally high in withdrawal are extremely concerned that something bad might happen, while people exceptionally high in volatility (the other aspect of neuroticism) get very upset if something bad does happen. Technically, withdrawal has been associated with activity in the brain systems that regulate passive avoidance.

 WITHDRAWAL
97th percentile

You are higher in withdrawal than 97 of 100 people
Those who are liberal, politically, are slightly higher in withdrawal than conservatives.

Women are higher in withdrawal than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 60. For men it is 40.



Volatility: Typical or Average
You are typical or average in volatility, which is one aspect of neuroticism. Your puts you at the 53rd percentile for volatility. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more volatile than 53 of them and less volatile than 46 of them.

Individuals average in volatility tend to not to vary abnormally in their mood. They are not particularly irritable, and feel no more than typical levels of disappointment, frustration, pain and social isolation. They express their frustration, disappointment and irritability reasonably and not excessively often. Even when stirred up and upset or angry or irritated, they calm down relatively quickly. They are no more argumentative than average and infrequently lose their composure.

If provoked in a dispute, a person of average volatility may react in kind (particularly if also low in agreeableness). However, such people generally remain calm and unperturbed, even when stressed. Volatile people tend to get upset if something bad does happen, while people high in withdrawal (the other aspect of neuroticism) tend to be concerned that something bad might happen. Technically, volatility has been associated with activity in the brain systems that regulate fight, flight or freeze.

VOLATILITY
53rd percentile

You are more volatile than 53 of 100 people
Volatility is not strongly related to political preference, either liberal or conservative.

Women are higher in volatility than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 57.5. For men it is 42.5.



Openness to Experience: Low
You are low in openness to experience, which is the primary dimension of creativity, artistic interest and intelligence (particularly verbal intelligence) in the Big Five personality trait scientific model. Openness to experience is a measure of interest in novelty, art, literature, abstract thinking, philosophy as well as sensitivity to aesthetic emotions and beauty.

Your score puts you at the 13th percentile for openness to experience. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be lower in openness to experience than 86 of them and higher in openness to experience than 13 of them.

People with low levels of openness to experience are more conventional, conservative people. They are not known for their curiosity or interest in novelty or change. They are comparatively disinterested in learning, particularly for its own sake, and generally stick with what they know.

 OPENNESS TO EXPERIENCE
13th percentile

You are lower in openness to experience than 86 of 100 people
They rarely engage in prolonged abstract thinking, and seldom consider philosophical issues, such as the meaning of belief systems and ideologies. They do not find it necessary to attend cultural events such as movies, concerts, dance recitals, plays, poetry readings, gallery openings and art shows, failing to find them meaningful or engaging. They don’t typically enjoy writing, and stay away from complex problems and abstract ideas.

They read less than the typical person, and stick to more mainstream material when they do so. They have a narrow range of interests, and a conventional vocabulary. They have some difficulty with abstract thinking and learn less quickly, as well as being less intrinsically interested in doing so. They come up with new ideas infrequently, and have some difficulty getting their thoughts across to others (particularly if they are average or below in extraversion). People lower in openness to experience like to stay on the beaten path, and find satisfaction in the tried-and-true (particularly if they are average or above in orderliness). They avoid difficult intellectual problems or challenges.

People low in openness to experience can often adapt well to situations or occupations that are more routinized and predictable. Because of this, they have little trouble fitting in at the bottom of hierarchies. They are better suited than those who are more open to entry-level, repetitive, rote positions, because they are rarely compelled to think up new ways to do things. They are infrequently creative or revolutionary thinkers. Thus, they shake things up much less than average, particularly if they are also agreeable and less assertive.

Individuals low in openness to experience are less entrepreneurial in spirit and more appreciative of conventional employment (particularly if average or above in conscientiousness). They have little interest in creating new ventures, whether for profit, curiosity, or personal transformation. At least moderately high levels of openness to experience appear necessary to the formation and leadership of business and other forms of complex organization, although conscientiousness appears required for the attention to detail and process management that such organizations also always need.

People lower in openness to experience have a narrower, more focused range of interests. This makes it easier for them to settle on a single path in life, to specialize to a necessary degree, and to create an integrated identity (unless they are very high or above in neuroticism and/or very low or below in conscientiousness). People lower in openness also rarely undermine their own convictions or beliefs by excessive questioning (particularly if they are average or below in neuroticism). They are generally not intellectual rebels, revolutionaries or protestors.

Openness to experience is the dimension that best predicts political allegiance (with conscientiousness, particularly the aspect of orderliness, coming in at second place). Those who are liberal, politically, are very much more likely to be high in openness to experience than conservatives.

Women and men differ very little in openness to experience at the trait level, although there are differences in the aspect levels.

Trait openness to experience is made up of the aspects of intellect and openness.



Intellect: Exceptionally Low
Note: Do not confuse the personality aspect of Intellect with IQ. Intellect is a measure of interest in abstract ideas, essentially, while IQ is a measure of processing speed, verbal ability, working memory, and problem solving capacity, and is better measured with a formal IQ test. It is perfectly possible to have a high IQ and a low score on the personality trait of Intellect.

You are exceptionally low in intellect, which is one aspect of openness to experience. Your score puts you at the 0th percentile for intellect. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be lower in intellect than 99 of them and higher in intellect than 0 of them.

People exceptionally low in intellect are rarely interested in or concerned with ideas and abstract concepts. People exceptionally low in intellect are not at all interested in learning philosophical concepts. They hate too much information. They are not intellectually curious, and do not enjoy tackling or solving complex abstract problems. They are extremely unlikely to engage in issue-oriented discussions, and avoid idea-centered books. They can be quite inarticulate (particularly if average or lower in extraversion), and experience some genuine trouble formulating and communicating their ideas. They have a vocabulary of far less than normal breadth and depth, and are strikingly likely to stick with the tried-and-true, rather than learning new ideas and skills. They are resistant to novel concepts and uninterested in adapting to new situations.

 INTELLECT
0th percentile

You are lower in intellect than 99 of 100 people
People exceptionally low in intellect find complex, rapidly changing occupations untenable and avoid them (unless exceptionally high in conscientiousness and exceptionally low in neuroticism). They are far better suited to stable, straightforward and more traditional occupations, where the rules for success are well-defined and do not change.

Liberals are higher in intellect than conservatives (although the biggest difference between the two is openness to experience at the trait level).

Women are lower than men in intellect (although not in IQ). This is probably a difference in interest: people high in intellect, compared to openness, are more likely to prefer the sciences to the arts. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 45. For men it is 55.



Openness: Moderately High
You are moderately high in openness, which is one aspect of openness to experience. Your puts you at the 75th percentile for openness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be higher in openness than 75 of them and lower in openness than 24 of them.

The closest synonym for openness (rather than openness to experience, which encompasses openness and intellect) is creativity. Moderately open, creative people find beauty important. Without an outlet for their creative ability they may have some difficulty thriving. They like art or beautiful crafts. They are more sensitive to color and architectural form. They often enjoy collecting. They are comparatively imaginative, and may daydream and reflect on many things. They tend to enjoy music, perhaps of more than one genre, and may be somewhat musical or artistic themselves (both of these are rare in the general population). They can find themselves immersed in a book, or a movie, or in their own thoughts, and become somewhat oblivious to the outside world. They respond well to beauty, creativity and art.

OPENNESS
75th percentile

You are higher in openness than 75 of 100 people
Moderately open, creative people tend not to be impractical or flighty, however, despite their creative openness (unless they are particularly low in conscientiousness). At least moderate levels of openness appear necessary for entrepreneurial success, and prove comparatively useful at the top of hierarchies, even in very conservative occupations such as banking, accounting and law, which need creative people in leadership positions to provide new vision and direction.

Liberals are higher in openness than conservatives (although the biggest difference between the two is openness to experience, at the trait level).

Women are higher in openness than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 56.5. For men it is 44.5.