Question

Over the weekend, your friend Boutros decided to stay home and put the finishing touches on a research paper he's been working on for the last four weeks. A friend texted saying he needed some help with how to cite sources. Boutros happily sent him some examples. When his friend texted back, he said a bunch of their friends was going to ride go-carts. Boutros had never driven a go-cart, so he was very interested in trying this new thing and hanging out with this group of people. But, since his research paper wasn't quite done yet, he declined.

If Boutros were to take the Big Five Personality Inventory, based on this description, how do you think he would score on each of the traits? For example, do you think he would score high, medium, or low on conscientiousness? Explain the reasoning for each of your choices.

Answer 1

The Big five personality inventory or the five factor model helps us understand various aspects of personality traits in a person.

The five factors are as follows:

• Openness to experience (inventive/curious vs. consistent/cautious)
• Conscientiousness (efficient/organized vs. easy-going/careless)
• Extraversion (outgoing/energetic vs. solitary/reserved)
• Agreeableness (friendly/compassionate vs. challenging/detached)
• Neuroticism (sensitive/nervous vs. secure/confident)

Based on the description Boutros would score:

• Openess to experience- Medium

Reason: Boutros is open to new experiences as he had never driven a go-cart, so he was very interested in trying this new thing but the fact that he declined the proposal he exhibits a medium score on Openess to experience.

• Conscientiousness - High

Reason: Individuals who are high on Conscientiousness act dutifully, practice self discipline. In case of Boutros he declined to go out with his friends since his research paper wasn't quite done yet. Boutros prefers a organised pattern where he gave priority to his work. Hence he is high on conscientiousness.

• Extraversion - Medium

​​​​​​​Reason: Boutros was willing to hang out with this group of people for riding a go cart but he declined as he is high on conscientiousness. Hence it shows that Boutros personality trait is a combination of extroversion and introversion so he will Score Medium on Extraversion.   

• Agreeableness - Low

​​​​​​​Reason: Boutros declined going for riding go carts since his research paper wasn't quite done yet. So he was focused on his goal and his on work. Low agreeableness personalities are often competitive or challenging people.

• Neuroticism -   Low

Reason: Boutros seems to score low on neuroticism as the above description shows that he is fixed about his decision and he is stable about it. Low on neuroticism means individuals are less reactive and do not get easily upset in fact they are calm and composed.