Big Five Trait Clusters

In modern psychology, the “Big Five” Personality Traits are five categories of personality that are used to describe human personality and the behaviors in which they differ from each other. Some researchers have concluded that adult personality change is genetically influenced. Researchers say individual differences in the “Big Five” traits are large and highly stable and, an adult scoring high or low at a certain age is likely to do the same at another age, with intervals of three to 30 years’ time (Costa & McCrae, 1994). In more than 150 longitudinal studies with more than 5000 participants, reanalysis showed personality trait stability improved during early and middle adulthood, peaking in the fifties (Roberts & DelVecchio, 2000). These traits are broad categories of personality traits and not all researchers agree on the names given. However, these five categories that remain stable throughout adulthood are: neuroticism, extroversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness.

I have listed each trait below and a description of each with high and low ratings. I will rate myself with each trait rated from 1 as very low to 5 as very high, and will rate myself three times on each trait as to “how I was 10 years ago,” how I am now,” and “how I imagine myself to be in 10 years.” I will explain the life patterns I see when considering my answers from the past through the future.

The first trait is Neuroticism. Individuals high on this trait are worrisome, temperamental, self-pitying, self-conscious, emotional, and vulnerable; and those persons low on this trait are calm, even-tempered, self-content, comfortable, unemotional, and hardy.

In explaining how I was 10 years ago, I rate my perception of this characteristic as a 2. I chose this rating because I have been a calm, even-tempered, and contented person. I was comfortable being married, raising my children, and in my work position at the time. The life patterns I see are achieving civic and