Dit zijn de resultaten van de understandmyself.com test. Afgenomen op 12 maart 2019, op 27-jarige leeftijd. De Big Five is één van de meest bekende persoonlijkheidstesten, en ook de test met de hoogste statistische validiteit, in tegenstelling tot MBTI.
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.
1. Agreeableness: Very Low
You are very 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 oen 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 8th percentile for agreeableness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be less agreeable than 91 of them and more agreeable than 8 of them.
People with very low levels of agreeableness are seen by others as markedly competitive, colder, tougher and very much less empathic. They do not easily see the best in others, and are not particularly tolerant (an attitude that is much valued by agreeable people). They are very much less concerned about the emotional state of others, are uncommonly willing to engage in conflict, and will happily sacrifice peace and harmony to make a point or (if conscientious) to get things done. People may find them painfully straightforward and blunt. They tend very strongly towards dominance, rather than submission (particularly if also below average in neuroticism). People with very low levels of agreeableness do not easily forgive. They are not accepting, flexible, gentle or patient. They don’t easily feel pity for those who are excluded, punished or defeated, and tend to attribute such problems to weakness. They are also very unlikely to be taken advantage of by disagreeable, manipulative or otherwise troublesome people, or those with criminal or predatory intent. Their high levels of skepticism play a protective role, although it may oen interfere with their ability to cooperate with or trust others whose intentions are genuinely good. They are also less likely to reward good behavior or to give credit where it is due. They can cooperate, when cooperation is in their clear self-interest, but very much appreciate competition, with its well- defined losers and winners. They do not easily lose arguments (or avoid discussions) with anyone, and can forthrightly enjoy the battle. They can be very good at bargaining for themselves, and at negotiating for more recognition or power, and are likely to have higher salaries and to earn more money, in consequence. People very low in agreeableness are therefore less likely to suer from resentment or to harbour invisible anger. They let you know what they think, when they think it. In addition, because of their tendency to engage in conflict, when necessary, people low in agreeableness 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 oen solved, and do not accumulate counterproductively across time, although people close to those very low in agreeableness may oen experience them as overbearing and uncaring.
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: Moderately High
You are moderately high in compassion, which is one aspect of Agreeableness. Your score puts you at the 66th percentile for compassion. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more compassionate than 66 of them and less compassionate than 33 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 oen for a listening ear. They are empathetic and caring. However, because they are so other-oriented, they may find it difficult 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.
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: Exceptionally Low
You are exceptionally low in politeness, which is one aspect of Agreeableness. Your score puts you at the 0th percentile for politeness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be less polite than 99 of them and more polite than 0 of them.
People who are exceptionally low in politeness challenge and confront authority – and they are not obedient. If they are respectful, it is grudgingly, and will only be manifested toward people who continually both deserve and demand it. They are comfortable confronting other people, and enjoy it. People extremely low in politeness are motivated to engage in conflict, and to seek out confrontation. They may have a strong tendency toward conduct- disordered, antisocial, delinquent, even criminal behavior, particularly if male and adolescent. They may find themselves very frequently in trouble with authority, in consequence. Their skepticism can make it extremely difficult for them to find a place in the middle or lower in hierarchies of power and dominance. They are hyper- dominant, rather than submissive (particularly if they are also low in neuroticism)
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.
2. 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 0th percentile for conscientiousness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be less conscientious than 99 of them and more conscientious than 0 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 o 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.
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 o 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 o. 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.
People exceptionally low in industriousness are not at all judgmental to themselves or others. They continually and habitually let people, including themselves, o 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: Exceptionally Low
You are exceptionally low in orderliness, which is one aspect of conscientiousness. Your score puts you at the 0th percentile for orderliness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be less orderly than 99 of them and more orderly than 0 of them.
People exceptionally low in orderliness are never disturbed, upset or disgusted by mess, disorder and chaos. They appear almost completely blind to such things (or, if they do see them, they don’t at all care). They see the world in shades of grey, never in simple, straightforward black and white, and are extremely non-judgmental and devil- may-care in their attitudes toward themselves and others. They are contemptuous toward and positively hate schedules, list, or routines and, even if they plan, never implement those plans, preferring to take things as they come, and letting chance determine the outcome. They are oriented toward detail in any way and simply never abide by rules or procedures.
People who are exceptionally low in orderliness cannot tolerate or establish any routine or predictability whatsoever. Their schedules are remarkably loose, their time completely unscheduled, and disruption doesn’t bother them in the least. They require continual and constant reminder and supervision to maintain any attention and focus whatsoever, and are continually distracted and o task. They can, however, tolerate the mess, disruption and intervening periods of chaos that may accompany creative endeavour.
Those who are who are exceptionally low in orderliness are remarkably much less likely to be political conservatives. Orderliness is the second-best predictor of conservatism, aer openness to experience.
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, oen 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.
You are very high 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 93rd percentile for extraversion. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more extraverted than 93 of them and less extraverted than 6 of them.
People with very high levels of extraversion are very enthusiastic, talkative, assertive in social situations, and gregarious. They are highly energized by social contact, and crave it. They find great pleasure in planning parties, telling jokes, making people laugh, and taking part in community activities. They typically have positive memories of the past, high levels of current self-esteem (particularly if they are low in neuroticism), and experience far above average optimism about the future.
People who are uncommonly extraverted have a very difficult time keeping things to themselves, and tend to tell everyone everything. They are very self-disclosing (particularly if also high in neuroticism) and they warm up rapidly to other people. They speak first and most oen in meetings. They can be extremely captivating and convincing. They will often be the first to act. People who are very high in extraversion make strikingly enthusiastic employees, and are very well-suited to jobs involving sales, persuasion, work in groups and public speaking (particularly, once again, if they are low in neuroticism). They are not at all suited to occupations that require a lot of isolated work (such as computer programming or accounting).
People very high in extraversion can also be highly impulsive, particularly when it comes to having fun in social situations. They tend strongly to sacrifice the future to the present, when something social or group-oriented beckons. It is hard for them to be alone and to study and work. They can be very easily distracted by opportunities to chat, joke and socialize. This is particularly the case if they are also 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 very high in extraversion are highly dominant in social situations, particularly if 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.
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 75th percentile for enthusiasm. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more enthusiastic than 75 of them and less enthusiastic than 24 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 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 High
You are exceptionally high in assertiveness, which is one aspect of extraversion. Your score puts you at the 96th percentile for assertiveness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more assertive than 96 of them and less assertive than 3 of them.
Exceptionally assertive people are “take charge” types. They put their own opinions forward extremely strongly, and constantly dominate and control social situations. Exceptionally assertive people can be extremely influential and captivating. They have the communication style that is oen associated with leadership. This is good when they are knowledgeable, competent and able, but not so good when they aren’t. Assertive people are people of action. They don’t wait for others to lead the way, but leap in, heedlessly. They can be impulsive, in consequence, and can act without thinking.
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.
4. Neuroticism: Moderately High
You are moderately 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 61st percentile for neuroticism. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be higher in neuroticism than 61 of them and lower in neuroticism than 38 of them.
People with moderately high levels of neuroticism are somewhat 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 a bit more likely to be unhappy, anxious and irritable when just thinking or remembering, and when they encounter a genuine problem. They have 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.
Moderately high levels of neuroticism may interfere somewhat with both success and satisfaction in relationships and career, with the strongest eect on relationships. Moderately high levels of neuroticism are associated with slightly more concern about mental and physical health, as well as more physician and emergency room visits, and higher than average levels of absenteeism at work and at school (particularly if accompanied by below average levels of conscientiousness).
People with moderately high levels of neuroticism appear to be somewhat risk-averse, which means they will be less likely to pursue or enjoy recreational, career, financial and social situations where the possibility of loss is high. Such people appear to be 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: Moderately High
You are moderately high in withdrawal, which is one aspect of neuroticism. Your score puts you at the 72nd percentile for withdrawal. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be higher in withdrawal than 72 of them and lower in withdrawal than 27 of them.
Individuals moderately high in withdrawal may feel higher than average levels of anticipatory anxiety. This makes it more challenging for them to approach new, uncertain, unexpected, threatening or complex situations. They are somewhat more likely to avoid or withdraw in the face of the unknown and unexpected.
People moderately high in withdrawal are a bit more likely than average to feel sad, lonesome, disappointed and grief-stricken. They tend to somewhat higher levels of doubt and worry, become embarrassed a bit more easily, are self-conscious and may get discouraged more rapidly in the face of threat and punishment. They feel more anticipatory anxiety than the average person. They are somewhat sensitive to social rejection, and can feel more hurt than might be expected. Once hurt, frightened, or anxious, as well, it takes them somewhat longer to recover. Perhaps people moderately high in withdrawal are concerned that something bad might happen, while people moderately high in volatility (the other aspect of neuroticism) suer more if something bad genuinely does happen. Technically, withdrawal has been associated with activity in the brain systems that regulate passive avoidance.
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 48th percentile for volatility. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more volatile than 48 of them and less volatile than 51 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 oen. 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 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.
5. Openness to Experience: Very High
You are very 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 89th percentile for openness to experience. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be higher in openness to experience than 89 of them and lower in openness to experience than 10 of them.
People with very high levels of openness to experience are extremely likely to be characterized by others as uncommonly smart, creative, exploratory, intelligent and visionary. They are strikingly interested in learning, and are constantly acquiring new abilities and skills. They are very curious and exploratory. They are very interested in abstract thinking, philosophy, and the meaning of belief systems and ideologies. They will seek out cultural events such as movies, concerts, dance recitals, plays, poetry readings, gallery openings and art shows. They are unusually likely to enjoy writing (or even to be driven to write). They enjoy complex, abstract ideas and love to confront and solve complex, abstract and multi-dimensional problems.
They are uncommonly likely to be prolific readers, with an unusually wide range of interests. They have an uncommonly broad and deep vocabulary. They can think and learn with striking speed. They are frequently proficient at formulating new ideas, and very strongly tend to be articulate (particularly if average or above in extraversion). People very high in openness can see old things in strikingly new ways. They can formulate any single problem in an uncommonly diverse range of ways, and can generate an atypically large number of problem- solving solutions. They will continually seek change, oen to make things better, but also just for the sake of change.
People who are very high in openness to experience are not well adapted to and do not do well in situations or occupations that are routinized and predictable. They do not fit in at all well at the bottom of hierarchies. They are uncommonly ill-suited to entry-level, repetitive, rote positions, because they are always thinking up new ways to do things, and such ideas are seldom welcome from someone at the bottom. They are very radical thinkers. They shake things up, particularly if they are also disagreeable and assertive. They are more likely to be revolutionary rebels (particularly if average or below in conscientiousness).
Individuals very high in openness to experience are entrepreneurial in spirit, as well as smart and creative. They have very much higher than average interest in creating new ventures, sometimes for profit, sometimes for curiosity, and sometimes for personal transformation. Very 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.
Because people who are very high in openness to experience tend to be interested in everything, this can make it hard for them to settle on a single path in life, to specialize to a necessary degree, and to create an integrated identity. This is particularly dangerous if they are high in neuroticism and/or low in conscientiousness. People characterized by the combination of high openness to experience and high neuroticism continually undermine their own convictions and beliefs by incessant questioning and make 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 seldom implement 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 dier 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: High
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 high in intellect, which is one aspect of openness to experience. Your score puts you at the 78th percentile for intellect. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be higher in intellect than 78 of them and lower in intellect than 21 of them.
People high in intellect are quite interested in ideas and abstract concepts. They enjoy being confronted with novel information, even when it is complex. They are substantially more curious and exploratory than average, and frequently like to tackle and solve problems. They will actively engage in and seek out and initiate issue- oriented discussions, and are likely to read, think about and want to discuss idea-centered books (most frequently non-fiction). They are generally articulate and can formulate ideas clearly and quickly (particularly if average or higher in extraversion). They have a wide vocabulary, and actively enjoy learning new things. People high in intellect will oen find and generate novel, creative concepts and voluntarily search for and adapt well to new experience and situations.
People high in intellect find complex, rapidly changing occupations to their liking and will generally do well at them (particularly if they are also high in conscientiousness and low in neuroticism). However, they are substantially less well-suited to stable, straightforward and more traditional occupations, where the rules don’t change, and will experience frequent periods of boredom and frustration in such positions.
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: Very High
You are very high in openness, which is one aspect of openness to experience. Your score puts you at the 90th percentile for openness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be higher in openness than 90 of them and lower in openness than 9 of them.
The closest synonym for openness (rather than openness to experience, which encompasses openness and intellect) is creativity. Very open, creative people love beauty. They require an outlet for their creative ability, or they cannot thrive. They need to be surrounded by art or beautiful crafts. They are strikingly sensitive to color and architectural form. They very much like to collect things, now and then to the point of obsession. They are very imaginative, and love to daydream and reflect on things. They are uncommonly affected by music, oen of many genres, and may be musical or artistic themselves (both of these are rare in the general population). They can get unusually immersed in a book, or a movie, or in their own thoughts, and become oblivious to the outside world. They respond very strongly to beauty, creativity and art.
Very open, creative people can be impractical and flighty, however (particularly if low in conscientiousness). It can be extremely difficult to transform creativity into money, or into a career. High levels of openness are, furthermore, necessary for entrepreneurial success, and oen prove 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.
