The Big Five

In a recent study among young women we asked what they would rate themselves on the "Big 5" scale. These women were high school and college students who volunteered to rate themselves, and then rate the friend that they were with. This shows not only the difference between similar subjects but what the subjects think of themselves compared to what others think of them. The "Big 5 Factors" are as follows:


Neuroticism- emotional stability, mood swings etc. worried, insecure
Extraversion- social, energetic, optomistic, assertive, affectionate
Openness- intellectually curios, open to new ideas, independant
Agreeableness- helpful, trusting, sympathetic
Conscientiousness- self-discipline, organized, determined, careful

The subjects were asked to judge on a scale of one to five for each of the five areas. Following are the results of two subjects, Monika and her sister Jenn, 20 and 14 years of age from New Hampshire.

Monika for herself:
Neuroticism: 3
Extraversion: 5
Openness: 4
Agreeableness: 3
Concientiousness: 3

Monika for Jenn:

Neuroticism: 3

Extraversion: 5

Openness: 3

Agreeableness: 3

Concientiousness: 5

Jenn for Jenn:

Neuroticism: 4

Extraversion: 2

Openness: 4

Agreeableness: 3

Concientiousness: 2

Jenn for Monika:

Neuroticism: 3

Extraversion: 5

Openness: 4

Agreeableness: 3

Concientiousness: 5