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

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 occur if you were feeling temporarily or chronically unhappy or anxious, or hungry, angry or
judgmental when you completed the questions.

Agreeableness: Moderately Low

You are moderately low 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 o!en 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 35th percentile for agreeableness. If you were one of 100 people in a
room, you would be less agreeable than 64 of them and more agreeable than 35 of them.

AGREEABLENESS
!
35th percentile

You are less agreeable than 64 of 100 people

People with moderately low levels of agreeableness are seen by others as somewhat competitive,
colder and less empathic. They are less likely to look for the best in others, and are not particularly
tolerant (an attitude that is much valued by agreeable people). They are less concerned about the
emotional state of others, willing to engage in conflict, and will sacrifice peace and harmony to
make a point or (if conscientious) to get things done. People find them straightforward, even blunt.
They tend towards dominance, rather than submission (particularly if also below average in
neuroticism).

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 People with moderately low levels of agreeableness are not particularly forgiving, accepting,
flexible, gentle or patient. They don’t easily feel pity for those who are excluded, punished or
defeated. They are also not easily taken advantage of by disagreeable, manipulative or otherwise
troublesome people, or by those with criminal or predatory intent. Their skepticism plays a
protective role, although it may interfere with their ability to cooperate with or trust others whose
intentions are genuinely good. They can appreciate cooperation, but like competition, with its clear
losers and winners. They will not easily lose arguments (or avoid discussions) with less agreeable
people. They tend to be good at bargaining for themselves, or at negotiating for more recognition or
power. They are likely to have higher salaries and to earn more money, in consequence. They are
therefore less likely to su"er from resentment or to harbour invisible anger, although this tendency
may be increased, if they are very high in neuroticism. In addition, because of their tendency to
engage in conflict, when necessary, moderately disagreeable people tend not to sacrifice medium-
to long-term stability and function for the sake of short-term peace. This means that problems that
should be solved in the present are o!en 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 di"erence 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 di"erence 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 di"erences 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.

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 Agreeableness has two aspects: compassion and politeness.

Compassion: Moderately High

You are moderately high in compassion, which is one aspect of Agreeableness. Your score puts you
at the 61st percentile for compassion. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more
compassionate than 61 of them and less compassionate than 38 of them.

Moderately compassionate people are interested in the problems of other people, and other living
things. They are concerned about helping other people avoid negative emotion. They make time
and do kind things for others, even when doing so may interfere with fulfilling their own needs and
interests. They have a noticeably so! side. Other people consider them sympathetic and nice, and
will turn to them o!en for a listening ear. They are empathetic and caring. However, because they
are so other-oriented, they may find it di"icult to negotiate on their own behalf, and may not get
what they deserve (for their hard work, for example). This may lead to feelings of resentment.

COMPASSION
!
61st percentile

You are more compassionate than 61 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: Low

You are low in politeness, which is one aspect of Agreeableness. Your score puts you at the 16th
percentile for politeness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be less polite than 83
of them and more polite than 16 of them.

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 People who are low in politeness are not deferential to authority – nor are they obedient. They can
be respectful, but only to people who clearly deserve and demand it, and they are markedly willing
to push back when challenged. They are not particularly uncomfortable confronting other people.
People low in politeness are not motivated to avoid conflict, or to steer clear of conflict or fights.
They may find themselves quite frequently in trouble with authority. Their skepticism may make it
di"icult for them to find a place in the middle or lower in hierarchies of power and dominance. They
tend strongly to be dominant, rather than submissive (particularly if they are also low in
neuroticism).

" POLITENESS
!
16th percentile

You are less polite than 83 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: Moderately Low

You are moderately 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, e"iciency and adherence to
rules, standards and processes. Conscientious people implement their plans and establish and
maintain order.

Your score puts you at the 25th percentile for conscientiousness. If you were one of 100 people in a
room, you would be less conscientious than 74 of them and more conscientious than 25 of them.

People moderately low in conscientiousness are not particularly dutiful. They are by no means
sloggers. They will only work hard if pushed, and don’t mind wasting time. They are quite likely to
procrastinate (particularly if they are also above average in neuroticism). If people with moderately

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 low levels of conscientiousness commit to doing something, there is a good chance they will be late,
or delayed, even if there isn’t much reason for it. They tend to find and deliver excuses for their
failure under such circumstances. They are not markedly decisive, neat, organized, future-oriented,
or reliable, and they find themselves easily distracted.

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS
!
25th percentile

You are less conscientious than 74 of 100 people

People with moderately low levels of conscientiousness are less likely to obtain higher grades in
academic settings (particularly if they are also less intelligent), and generally require substantial
supervision to stay on task. For this reason, they make less than optimal managers and
administrators. They do not feel 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. They are unlikely to make career accomplishment a primary goal, 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).

People moderately low in conscientiousness tend to be relatively free of guilt, shame, self-disgust
and self-contempt. Other people, however, may react negatively to their tendency to slack o"
(particularly if those other people are disagreeable and conscientious).

Individuals who are moderately low in conscientious are not particularly concerned by failure. They
are not judgmental, to themselves or others, and tend towards situational explanations for
disappointment, frustration or lack of success. They can handle periods of inactivity and
unemployment with relative ease. They tend to downplay the relationship between hard work,
diligence and success, believing that chance factors and luck in life play a determining role. They
live, in large part, for leisure and very much look forward to time o". They can be good at relaxing,
and living in the moment (particularly when low in neuroticism). They are less concerned than
average with cleaning, moral purity and achievement. It’s more fun to be at the beach or at a party
with a person moderately low in conscientiousness – but you might not want to invite them over on
moving day.

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

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 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: Very Low

You are very low in industriousness, which is one aspect of conscientiousness. Your score puts you
at the 6th percentile for industriousness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be less
industrious than 93 of them and more industrious than 6 of them.

People who are very low in industriousness are very much less likely 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 be regarded as underachievers. They focus very much less on work than
others and are far more likely to procrastinate, miss deadlines, or fail to complete assignments or
projects completely. They put o" all responsibility, concentrating on fun, worry, relationships,
excitement or creative endeavour. They aren’t at all concerned with schedules, timelines or
e"iciency, and will have to be supervised excessively before their tasks will be completed. They lack
focus and are far too-easily distracted.

" INDUSTRIOUSNESS
!
6th percentile

You are less industrious than 93 of 100 people

People low in industriousness are not at all judgmental to themselves or others. They continually
and habitually let people, including themselves, o" the hook. They believe 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
completely 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.

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 Orderliness: Moderately High

You are moderately high in orderliness, which is one aspect of conscientiousness. Your score puts
you at the 66th percentile for orderliness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be
more orderly than 66 of them and less orderly than 33 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
!
66th percentile

You are more orderly than 66 of 100 people

Orderliness can constrain creativity, however, as creative endeavours o!en 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 su"icient

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 frequency so they end up doing a disproportionate share of such work (even though if they waited a
bit longer their less orderly partners, o!en 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: Typical or Average

You are average in extraversion, which is the primary dimension of positive emotion in the Big Five
personality trait scientific model. 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 47th percentile for extraversion. If you were one of 100 people in a room,
you would be more extraverted than 47 of them and less extraverted than 52 of them.

People with average levels of extraversion are not overly enthusiastic, talkative, assertive in social
situations, or gregarious. They enjoy social contact, but are also happy spending time alone. They
will plan parties occasionally, and make people laugh, but are o!en willing to let others take the
lead in organizing social situations and entertaining. They have a balanced view of the past and the
future, neither over-emphasizing nor dismissing the positive.

EXTRAVERSION
!
47th percentile

You are more extraverted than 47 of 100 people

People with average levels of extraversion strike a good balance between privacy and self-
disclosure. They can keep quiet, when necessary, and are unlikely to blurt out information that
might be better kept to themselves. They will express their viewpoint in meetings, but are typically
not the first to do so. They are not generally known as talkative. At times, they can be captivating
and convincing, but are not so on a habitual basis. They are not o!en the first to act in ambiguous
situations.

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 People with average levels of extraversion can fit well into a range of jobs. They are sociable enough
to engage in jobs involving sales, persuasion, work in groups and public speaking (particularly if
they are low in neuroticism), although they may sometimes find the continual public exposure
fatiguing. However, they can also adapt themselves to occupations that require a lot of isolated
work (such as computer programming or accounting), as long as they also take time for socializing.

People with average levels of extraversion are not particularly impulsive, even when the
opportunity to have fun in social situations beckons. They strike a balance between seeking
fulfilment in the present and paying attention to the possibilities of the future. They don’t find it
di"icult to be alone to study or work. They are less distracted than the very extraverted by
opportunities to chat, joke and socialize, unless they are very low in conscientiousness. When
individuals are extraverted and conscientious, they are more productive than if they are introverted
and conscientious. However, when they are introverted and unconscientious, they are more
productive than they are when they are extroverted and unconscientious.

People of average extraversion do not tend to dominate social situations, unless they are very low in
agreeableness. Less agreeable extraverts tend to be self-centered – something that can be made
worse if they are also low in conscientiousness.

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: Typical or Average

You are typical or average in enthusiasm, which is one aspect of extraversion. Your score puts you at
the 41st percentile for enthusiasm. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more
enthusiastic than 41 of them and less enthusiastic than 58 of them.

Individuals who are average in enthusiasm have their excitable moments, are sometimes happy,
and are reasonably easy to get to know, but they are essentially moderate in their positive emotion.
They will talk about things or people they find particularly interesting, but tend to keep more quiet,
otherwise. They laugh and joke, but not excessively. They don’t crave the spotlight. They enjoy
parties, in moderation, and generally like to be around people, but they can spend time alone. They
don’t warm up immediately to others, particularly in groups, and they can keep their own a"airs
private. They like excitement, but only in moderate doses. They are moderately positive about the
past and future.

ENTHUSIASM

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 !
41st percentile

You are more enthusiastic than 41 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: Typical or Average

You are typical or average in assertiveness, which is one aspect of extraversion. Your score puts you
at the 52nd percentile for assertiveness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be
more assertive than 52 of them and less assertive than 47 of them.

People of average assertiveness will sometimes take charge, spontaneously, but o!en let others
step in first. They can put forward their own opinions but do not feel compelled to do so. They are
not particularly dominant and do not generally strive to control social situations. At times, they can
act in an influential or captivating manner, but it is not habitual. They can act, in ambiguous
situations, but will o!en let others lead the way. They tend not to be particularly impulsive, and
tend not to act without thinking.

ASSERTIVENESS
!
52nd percentile

You are more assertive than 52 of 100 people

Liberals tend to be slightly less assertive than conservatives.

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 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 88th percentile for neuroticism. If you were one of 100 people in a room,
you would be higher in neuroticism than 88 of them and lower in neuroticism than 11 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
!
88th percentile

You are higher in neuroticism than 88 of 100 people

High levels of neuroticism may interfere with both success and satisfaction in relationships and
career, with the strongest e"ect 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

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 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 di"erence 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: High

You are high in withdrawal, which is one aspect of neuroticism. Your score puts you at the 83rd
percentile for withdrawal. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be higher in
withdrawal than 83 of them and lower in withdrawal than 16 of them.

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

People high in withdrawal much more frequently feel sad, lonesome, disappointed and grief-
stricken. They have higher than average levels of doubt and worry, become embarrassed easily, are
self-conscious and strongly tend to get discouraged in the face of threat and punishment. Their
anticipatory anxiety is likely to be general. They are sensitive to social rejection, and can be
relatively easily hurt. Once hurt, frightened, or anxious, as well, it takes them longer to recover. They
can be argumentative and lose their composure. They can be provocative in a dispute (particularly
if also low in agreeableness). Perhaps people high in withdrawal are concerned that something bad
might happen, while people high in volatility (the other aspect of neuroticism) get upset if
something bad does happen. Technically, withdrawal has been associated with activity in the brain
systems that regulate passive avoidance.

# WITHDRAWAL
!

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 83rd percentile

You are higher in withdrawal than 83 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: Very High

You are very high in volatility, which is one aspect of neuroticism. Your score puts you at the 89th
percentile for volatility. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more volatile than 89
of them and less volatile than 10 of them.

Individuals very high in volatility tend to vary a great deal in their mood. They can be very irritable,
reacting quite strongly to disappointment, frustration, pain and the threat of social isolation. They
can lash out and are very easily annoyed. They are likely to act out or verbally express their
frustration, disappointment and irritability. They can be easily stirred up and upset and, once angry
or irritated, take a comparatively long time to calm down. They may be argumentative and can lose
their composure. Perhaps people very high in volatility get very upset if something bad does
happen, while people high in withdrawal (the other aspect of neuroticism) are extremely concerned
that something bad might happen. Technically, volatility has been associated with activity in the
brain systems that regulate fight, flight or freeze.

# VOLATILITY
!
89th percentile

You are more volatile than 89 of 100 people

Volatility is not strongly related to political preference, either liberal or conservative.

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 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: Moderately High

You are moderately high 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 64th percentile for openness to experience. If you were one of 100 people
in a room, you would be higher in openness to experience than 64 of them and lower in openness to
experience than 35 of them.

People with moderately high levels of openness to experience are somewhat more likely than
average to be characterized by others as smart, creative, exploratory, intelligent and visionary. They
tend to be more interested in learning and in acquiring new abilities and skills. They are curious and
exploratory. They find themselves interested in abstract thinking, philosophy, and the meaning of
belief systems and ideologies. They attend cultural events such as movies, concerts, dance recitals,
plays, poetry readings, gallery openings and art shows. They are likely to enjoy writing. They enjoy
complex, abstract ideas more than the average person, and like to confront and solve problems.

OPENNESS TO EXPERIENCE
!
64th percentile

You are higher in openness to experience than 64 of 100 people

They are likely to be readers, with a wider range of interests. They have a broader and deeper
vocabulary. They can think and learn quite quickly. They are comparatively proficient at formulating
new ideas, and tend to be articulate (particularly if average or above in extraversion). People
moderately high in openness can sometimes see old things in new ways. They can formulate
problems in a diverse range of ways, and can typically generate a reasonable number of problem-
solving solutions. They enjoy change, o!en to make things better, but also just for the sake of
change.

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 People who are moderately high in openness to experience are somewhat less well adapted to
situations or occupations that are routinized and predictable. They have some trouble fitting in at
the bottom of hierarchies. They are less suited to entry-level, repetitive, rote positions, because they
o!en think up new ways to do things, and such ideas are seldom welcome from someone at the
bottom. They are creative thinkers. They tend to shake things up a bit, particularly if they are also
disagreeable and assertive, and may be attracted to more revolutionary ideas (particularly if below
average in conscientiousness).

Individuals moderately high in openness to experience tend to be entrepreneurial in spirit, as well

as smarter and more creative. They have more than average interest in creating new ventures,
sometimes for profit, sometimes for curiosity, and sometimes for 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 moderately high in openness to experience tend to be interested in many things. However,
they can still typically 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 characterized by the combination of moderately high openness
to experience and very high or above levels of neuroticism can undermine their own convictions
and beliefs by questioning and making themselves lost and anxious. Open, unconscientious people
tend to be “under-achievers” (particularly if also above average in neuroticism). Such people appear
to have the capability to succeed, can learn quickly, and are creative, but they can have some
trouble implementing their ideas.

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 di"er very little in openness to experience at the trait level, although there are
di"erences in the aspect levels.

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

Intellect: Typical or Average

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 (or the reverse).

You are typical or average in intellect, which is one aspect of openness to experience. Your score

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 puts you at the 47th percentile for intellect. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be
higher in intellect than 47 of them and lower in intellect than 52 of them.

People typical in intellect can be interested in ideas and abstract concepts. They don't mind and
sometimes enjoy being confronted with novel information, however, even if it is complex. They are
as curious as the average person, and occasionally like to tackle and solve intellectual problems.
They are sometimes compelled to engage in philosophical discussions, and to enjoy complex books
(most frequently non-fiction), but more straightforward issues and topics are generally su"icient.
They are acceptably articulate and can formulate and communicate their ideas reasonably well
(particularly if average or higher in extraversion). They have a vocabulary of normal breadth and
depth, and can enjoy learning new things. Occasionally they will seek out or generate novel,
creative concepts and find and adapt well to new experiences and situations.

INTELLECT
!
47th percentile

You are higher in intellect than 47 of 100 people

People typical or average in intellect sometimes find complex, rapidly changing occupations less to
their liking and are reasonably likely to do well at them (particularly if they are also high in
conscientiousness and low in neuroticism). They are also well-suited to stable, straightforward and
more traditional occupations, where the rules for success are well-defined and tend not to change,
although they may experience sporadic periods of boredom in such positions.

Liberals are higher in intellect than conservatives (although the biggest di"erence 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 di"erence 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

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 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 di"iculty thriving. They like art or
beautiful cra!s. They are more sensitive to color and architectural form. They o!en 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 di"erence 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.

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