The Big Five

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Eysenck’s analysis of personality was originally based on two factors, extroversion and neuroticism, however, he later added a third dimension to the model, psychoticism (P). Those who score high on the P scale tend to be solitary, insensitive, hostile, and manipulative. At the highest level of P, people can be diagnosed with various forms of mental illness such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Other psychologists since Eysenck have suggested that there are factors beyond those considered in the Big Five model of personality. The most widely accepted model today is based on five dimensions of personality, known by OCEAN: Openness to Experience, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. Eysenck’s E and N were kept in the model but others were given a positive connotation. Openness to Experience relates to the tendency to seek out new experiences; Conscientiousness relates to one’s ability to manage oneself and others; Extraversion reflects how much energy one has; Agreeableness refers to one’s willingness to help others, and Neuroticism reflects one’s emotional stability.

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