BIG FIVE PERSONALITY
Big Five Personality Inventory
The Big Five Test is a compilation of 70 questioned geared towards “measuring how accurate or inaccurate the statements pertain to you.”(Wentz) This test is considered to be an objective test measuring certain traits of the individual taking it rather than states. Traits differ from states in the sense that traits are life-long characteristics; meanwhile states are temporary characteristics of an individual. This test was designed to measure the Big Five personality traits, including: extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability and openness. When you are listed as being in the higher percentiles for each of these categories, then you exemplify those certain traits and vice versa for lower percentile ratings. Personally I believe it is close to impossible for a test to measure these specific categories correctly along with differentiating whether these are truly traits not states. With this post interpretation of the test I was shocked when I received my personality report. The first category on the personality report is extraversion, which is defined as “pronounced engagement with the outside world.”(report) An extravert is someone who is a people person and thrives off of socialization. In this category I was put in the 83rd percentile, which is considered relatively high for my age. I agree with this rating considering I am most happy when I am being social and interacting with others. Currently I am a treasurer for Association of Campus Events which allows for my time on campus to always be with others. In addition, I would consider myself a very lively person always the first to say “What do we have to lose? Let’s Go!” and this is how I have been for as long as I can remember. Agreeableness is the second trait of the five traits listed on the report. Agreeableness is an “individuals differences in concern with cooperation and social harmony.”(report)
The Big Five Test is a compilation of 70 questioned geared towards “measuring how accurate or inaccurate the statements pertain to you.”(Wentz) This test is considered to be an objective test measuring certain traits of the individual taking it rather than states. Traits differ from states in the sense that traits are life-long characteristics; meanwhile states are temporary characteristics of an individual. This test was designed to measure the Big Five personality traits, including: extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability and openness. When you are listed as being in the higher percentiles for each of these categories, then you exemplify those certain traits and vice versa for lower percentile ratings. Personally I believe it is close to impossible for a test to measure these specific categories correctly along with differentiating whether these are truly traits not states. With this post interpretation of the test I was shocked when I received my personality report. The first category on the personality report is extraversion, which is defined as “pronounced engagement with the outside world.”(report) An extravert is someone who is a people person and thrives off of socialization. In this category I was put in the 83rd percentile, which is considered relatively high for my age. I agree with this rating considering I am most happy when I am being social and interacting with others. Currently I am a treasurer for Association of Campus Events which allows for my time on campus to always be with others. In addition, I would consider myself a very lively person always the first to say “What do we have to lose? Let’s Go!” and this is how I have been for as long as I can remember. Agreeableness is the second trait of the five traits listed on the report. Agreeableness is an “individuals differences in concern with cooperation and social harmony.”(report)