• openness 79% high

describes a person’s tendency to think in abstract, complex ways. high scorers tend to be creative, adventurous, and intellectual. they enjoy playing with ideas and discovering novel experiences.

openness is strongly related to a person’s interest in art and culture. people who are high in openness tend to enjoy the arts and seek out unusual, complex forms of self-expression.

high openness scorers are more likely to be politically liberal and to participate in artistic and cultural activities in their leisure time. they tend to be drawn to artistic and scientific careers. high openness scorers are also more likely to have a high IQ.

• conscientiousness 60% moderate

describes a person’s ability to exercise self-discipline and control in order to pursue their goals. high scorers are organized and determined, and are able to forego immediate gratification for the sake of long-term achievement. low scorers are impulsive and easily sidetracked.

the concept of conscientiousness focuses on a dilemma we all face: shall I do what feels good now, or instead do what is less fun but will pay off in the future? some people are more likely to choose fun in the moment, and thus are low in conscientiousness. others are more likely to work doggedly toward their goals, and thus are high in this trait.

• extraversion 21% low

describes a person’s inclination to seek stimulation from the outside world, especially in the form of attention from other people. extraverts engage actively with others to earn friendship, admiration, power, status, excitement, and romance. introverts, on the other hand, conserve their energy, and do not work as hard to earn these social rewards.

introverts do not experience as much of a “high” from social achievements. thus, they don’t make as much effort to seek them out. introverts tend to be more content with simple, quiet lives, and rarely seek attention from others.

people who are low in extraversion tend to be fairly independent, and do not need a lot of admiration or recognition from others in order to feel satisfied. they tend not to be interested in money or status, and would rather lead a life that is personally pleasing than one that gains them the attention of others.

• agreeableness 50% low

describes a person’s tendency to put others’ needs ahead of their own, and to cooperate rather than compete with others.

people who are low in agreeableness tend to experience less empathy and put their own concerns ahead of others. low scorers are often described as hostile, competitive, and antagonistic. they tend to have more conflictual relationships and often fall out with people.

you put your own needs first most of the time. you may see other people as a threat to your ability to get what you want, and you often suspect ulterior motives in others. you are mostly unwilling to sacrifice your own needs in the service of other people.

• neuroticism 83% high

describes a person’s tendency to experience negative emotions, including fear, sadness, anxiety, guilt, and shame. while everyone experiences these emotions from time to time, some people are more prone to them than others.

this trait can be thought of as an alarm system. People experience negative emotions as a sign that something is wrong in the world. you may be in danger, so you feel fear. or you may have done something morally wrong, so you feel guilty. however, not everyone has the same reaction to a given situation. high neuroticism scorers are more likely to react to a situation with fear, anger, sadness, and the like.

high neuroticism scorers seem to react more strongly to situations and events that have the potential to provoke negative emotions. for instance, they would be more likely to feel threatened by a stranger passing on the street, or to interpret a comment from a colleague as an insult. high neuroticism people have emotional systems that are on high alert, looking for danger and peril at every turn.

people high in neuroticism are also more likely to doubt themselves and their abilities. they often feel personally responsible for their own bad luck, and feel a sense of shame when things don’t turn out the way they’d like.

while neuroticism is not generally thought of as an asset, there are positive points. people high in neuroticism are unlikely to overlook the perils of life, and tend to be realistic about the problems and limitations in the world. there is also some evidence that neuroticism can push people to higher levels of achievement, provided they are generally well-adjusted. it seems the fear of failure can provide an important source of motivation.