Big Five Personality Theories

Question 1

Five-factor theory of personality is also known as “Big Five” Traits. This theory mainly focuses on motivational and emotional aspects of personality. The Five factors are Extraversion, Neuroticism, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness and Openness to Experience.

Firstly extraversion, tendency to engage with social environment. It’s a behavior where by a person likes to be around people. These people have high social adaptability. They also tend to be group-oriented and enthusiastic about social activities Secondly Neuroticism, being unable to cope effectively with the essential demands of life. People neurotic tend to be affected easily by stress. They are anxious and have mood swings. As overly sensitive, thus having higher chances

They tend to seek cooperation and social harmony. These people highly regard getting along with others. Thus they are considerate, friendly, and willing to compromise their interests with others'. Agreeable people also have an optimistic view of human nature. Next Conscientiousness, tend to be self-disciplined ,perseverant and careful. As workers, they tend to be responsible, achievement-oriented and task-focused. They may not work well in fluid situations where quick decisions and execution of work is needed / where spontaneity is important. They might be seen as overly concerned with unimportant details.

Lastly, openness to experience. Experience’ tend to be intellectually curious and open to experiment with new things. They may seek the thrill of new experience at the expense of job commitments.

Question 2

One of the positive aspect of traits theory they are reliable, as they rely mainly on statistical data. Which is not the case in other theories. Personal experience is not considered in trait theory. Personal interpretation in subjective factors leads to biasness. trait theory is not bias as it uses objective criteria for categorizing and measuring behavior .Trait theory has the ability to observe behavior. Examining the behaviors, providing a stronger co relation with traits. For example ,while observing behaviors over time it provides evidence for the personality traits categorized in these traits

Characteristics that are inherited usually apper virtually. Chilrens temperament their way of responding to emotional events. Nurture, the environmental conditions that influence development. Children’s experiences in the environment affect all aspects of their lives. It might be even brought over all the way to their college years.

Zimbardo, 1990 research states that college students are 40% or more are shy. And Kagen,1994 and 2005 states that 20% of infant inhabit shyness.

We can argue that that between college student and infants, the reason why infants are only 20% shy because its nature. And infants are not exposed to environment (nurture) as much as college students. They differ from the types of shyness.

Over the years, children develop personality traits like shyness. When they are shy they are withdrawn socially (Horney ,1945). Some times it cannot be explained as when both the parents does not have the trait. In that situation, negative experience that occurs overtime, which environmentally leads to the child portraying such trait. That leads to them being shy all the way till their adulthood. That does not