An Evaluation of the Big 5 Model of Personality

The Big 5 model is a widely used framework for understanding human behavior by considering five major personality traits. While the model has been found to be remarkably universal across cultures, it also has its limitations. The study of McCrae suggests that the Big 5 traits can accurately describe personality, but it may not be effective in certain situations such as comparing male and female personalities or accounting for specific factors like age and gender. Furthermore, situational and interactionist perspectives suggest that an individual's behavior is influenced by both their personality traits and the situation they are in. Therefore, while the Big 5 model can provide accurate outcomes in many circumstances, it is not a conclusive predictor of human behavior.

Essay: Role of
personality in
determining
behavior

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Part one ...........................................................................................................................................3
Part two............................................................................................................................................5
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................7
References........................................................................................................................................8
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ILLUSTRATION INDEX
Illustration 1: “Big 5” personality traits...........................................................................................4
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INTRODUCTION
Personality is important for all individuals because it assists in formation of distinct
identity from entire crowd. In present competitive era, different skills and aptitudes are required
by organization which are tied to the personality (Block, 2010). With these skills individual are
able to provide effective performance in both corporate and sport field. Present study is based on
the description of 5 major personality traits which are predictors of sporting performance.
Further, description will be provided regarding ideas of published psychologists for better
understanding of this concept.
PART ONE
In accordance with the various contemporary personality psychologists, mainly there are
5 basic dimensions of the personality which are considered as “Big 5” personality traits. These
traits are neuroticism, openness, conscientiousness, extravension and agreeableness. This theory
is growing over past fifty years. Initiative of this theory was taken by D. W. Fiske (1949) and
later it expanded by Noman and Smith (1967), Golberg (1981) and McCrae & Costa (1987).
Further, there is significant body of literature supporting this model of five factors. However, all
researchers are not agreed at exact labels but generally these five categories are described as
follows-
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 Extraversion- This trait is generally comprises of features such as high amounts of
emotional expressiveness, sociability, talkativeness, excitability and assertiveness. By
making use of these skills sports person are able to develop good team work and
understanding among them. Agreeableness- In this personality trait, attributes are covered such as kindness, affection,
trust, affection and other personal behaviors. This trait affects the behavior of sports
person towards their team, competitive team and mentors. Conscientiousness- General characteristics of this dimension is high thinking, effective
control of impulse behavior and attitude to achieve goals and objectives (Piekkola,
2011). Sports person who have trait of conscientiousness are considered to be mindful
and are tended to be organized.
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Ill
ustration 1: “Big 5” personality traits
(Source:The ‘Big 5’ Aspects of Personality, 2013)

 Neuroticism- This trait is applicable to the individuals who have instability in their
emotions, sadness, fussiness, anxiety and moodiness. These characteristics adversely
affect sporting performance of the individual because they are not able to make right
decision.
 Openness- Characteristics of this trait is insight and imagination. This trait provide ability
to promote innovative aspects to the traditional and rigid practices for better productivity
and profitability in their performance
PART TWO
Link between Theory of Big 5 and role of personality in determining behaviour
Behavior of employee is highly influenced by the personality traits. This statement can be
supported by the theory of Big 5. In accordance with this approach, interaction is involved by the
behavior of a sport person by considering their underlying personality and situational variables.
For example a person with extravension trait will be more interactive in comparison to
individuals having characteristics of neurtocism (Fairweather, 2012). They will be able to
provide good performance because they are able to express. This aspect will provide positive
change in their attitude and personality. In this aspect, David Buss has stated that personality
dimensions are universal and they also have biological origins. In addition to this, stated
personality traits in this model represents the valuable qualities that shape the social landscape.
Limitations of this research
In accordance with the view point of Jack Block, propose model of Big 5 is subjected to
the considerable scrutiny. It is because, it has limited scope in context of predictive theory. In
addition to this, it has also argued these traits only cover 56% of the normal personality. As per
the study of Piekkola (2011), this approach is not supported by any theoretical concept as it is
merely data driven. Furthermore, there are certain descriptors that create cluster in analytical
procedures (Piekkola, 2011).
Measures of this model are seems to be consistent in self descriptions, interviews and
observations. Along with this, formed structure by this model can be noticed at different ages
and cultures. However, trait of genotypic temperament might not be appeared across different
cultures. It is because of the expression of phenotypic in personality traits (Big Five Personality
Dimensions 2015). This expression differs profoundly crosswise in social and cultural norms in
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form of function of the different experiential learning and socio-cultural conditioning which
takes place inside the different cultural settings.
Arguments for and against the Big 5 as predictors of present research
Big 5 model can be defined as set of clinical practices and theoretical assumptions which
is mainly emphasized on the five core areas of human personality i.e. agreeableness,
extraversion, openness, conscientiousness and neuroticism. For this aspect, approach of Big 5 is
comprises of scheme for diagnosis and assessment in order to assist individuals in their personal
development. In order to achieve their objective, this model is based on the numerous personality
profile questionnaires and career aptitude assessments.
Various psychologists are in favor of applicability of this model for the personality
development. It is because, this model can provide accurate prediction of human behavior over a
period of time. From period of 1940 to 1980, various researchers were able make independent
verification of predictive accuracy of this model. Along with this, Big 5 model is also able to
make accurate identification of correlated personality traits (Fairweather, 2012). This aspect can
be noticed by considering viewpoint of U.S. Air Force psychologists. By using this model they
made strong correlation among the factors of dependability, emotional stability and
agreeableness in 1961.
Despite of above described advantages this model is still criticized by various
psychologists. They had provided arguments against of this model because human behavior is
affected by various aspects. It cannot be developed solely by considering personality factors.
Along with this, major limitation of this model is its wide universalism. This model does not
provide assistance to the particular personality expression such as gender, age, culture and race
(Block, 2010). In this aspect, argument is also provided by Feminist psychologist such as Carol
Gilligan. According to her viewpoint, personality traits of women are different to the men is
aspect of extraventsion, openness and other similar personality traits. Due to this aspect, she had
criticized this model as normalizing experience of men with women while simulation of
marginalizing.
Quality of evidence
By considering above described aspect, it can be noticed that there are various strengths
and weaknesses of Big 5 model. This model describes human behavior by considering major
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personality traits. On the basis of model judgment can be provided regarding personality of
individuals. In accordance with the study of McCrae, Big 5 traits are remarkably universal. It is
because, study was conducted y considering individuals from more than 50 different cultures.
From the outcome of the study it was concluded that five dimensions could be accurately used
for description of personality (McCrae, Terracciano and Members of the Personality Profiles of
Cultures Project, 2005). However, this model is not effective in certain situation such as
comparison of male and female personality. In addition to this, this model does not support
specific factors such as age and gender.
Conceptual arguments
In respect of this model, it can be said that Big 5 can provide accurate outcome in all
circumstances. It is because of factors such as situationism and interactionism. With the change
in situation, individual does not act with their normal attitude and as a consequence their
personality traits may variate. In addition to this, as per sociology of interactionism, perspective
of individual may differ in social processes such as cooperation, identity formation and conflicts.
Situations interact and traits influence behavior of the individual due to difference in
interpretation of event occurring in the world around them.
CONCLUSION
In accordance with the present study, conclusion can be drawn that personality plays
important role in determination of human behavior. Although it is not sole factor that affect the
behavior of person as other factor such as situations, ethnic aspects etc also contribute in this
aspect. Further, Big 5 model is a good predictor of the sporting performance of individual. It is
because, it covers major personality traits which defines behavior of person. However, this
model is not conclusive due to its several limitations.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Block, J., 2010. The Five-Factor framing of personality and beyond: Some ruminations.
Psychological Inquiry. 21. pp. 2–25.
Buss, D. M., 1995. Evolutionary psychology: A new paradigm for psychological science.
Psychological Inquiry. 6. pp. 1-31.
Fairweather, J., 2012. Personality, nations, and innovation: Relationships between personality
traits and national innovation scores. Cross-Cultural Research: The Journal of
Comparative Social Science.46. pp. 3–30.
McCrae, R. R., Terracciano, A. and Members of the Personality Profiles of Cultures Project,
2005. Universal features of personality traits from the observer's perspective: Data from
50 different cultures. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 88. pp. 547-561.
Piekkola, B., 2011. Traits across cultures: A neo-Allportian perspective. Journal of Theoretical
and Philosophical Psychology.31. Pp. 2-24.
Online
Big Five Personality Dimensions. 2015. [Online]. Available Through:
<http://psychology.about.com/od/personalitydevelopment/fl/How-Many-Personality-
Traits-Are-There.htm>. [Accessed on 4th November 2015].
The ‘Big 5’ Aspects of Personality. 2013. [Online]. Available through: <
http://www.psychometric-success.com/personality-tests/personality-tests-big-5-
aspects.htm>. [Accessed on 4th November 2015].
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