Question

Discuss the five-factor model of personality. Aside from the obvious applications in the mental health industry, what other applications do you see for this model? Expand on your perspective.

Answer 1

The Five Factor Model

Robert McCrae and Paul Costa developed the Five-Factor Model, which is a theory that explains personality based on five broad factors . Each five factor has two traits on either extreme of that particular personality factor continuum. These five factors and their traits are used as a measure to analyze ones personality.

Openness to experience - The openness to participate in new activities and have new ideas. Enjoying mixing with other cultures and entertaining unconventional ideas.

Conscientiousness- People who are high on conscientiousness, give high importance to their duty and show a sense of responsibility.

Extraversion- This is the trait which is characterised by being social with others and showing confidence in social interactions.

Agreeableness- People who have high agreeableness are cooperative with others and easy to get along, they also may be trusting of other people.

Neuroticism- This trait is characterised by excessive thinking and thinking in negative patterns, which can result in anxiety and stress.

Apart from being widely used in mental health setting, the five-factor model is can also be used in determining ones career preference. Along with career aptitude tests, this personality assessment measures the specific personality traits of an individual which provides them with the information about their personality and how compatible their personality will be for a particular career. For example, a person who scores high on introversion will not suited well for careers which involve the persons to be outgoing and to interact with other people. This kind of an individual may be more suited for jobs such as in research, writing, coding etc. Another example, a person who is high openness to experience will enjoy careers where there is travel or something new in the job, instead of fixed routine job.