The Big Five Personality Traits: Advantages and Disadvantages

This article discusses the Big Five personality traits - extraversion, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism. It explores the advantages and disadvantages of each trait and their impact on individuals and organizations. The article also provides insights into how these traits can be measured and their relevance in various contexts.

Running head: THE BIG FIVE
THE BIG FIVE
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

1THE BIG FIVE
In life, jobs and business, personality plays a vital role. Often people have a separate
section that counts on the basis of personality. According to many contemporary psychologists,
humans possess mainly five dimensions of personality. This is commonly referred to as ‘Big 5’
personality trait (Roberts et al., 2017). These personality traits have advantages as well as
disadvantages that help not only in real life but also in business. Outlining from the same
discussion, the paper aims to discuss the Big five personality traits along with the advantages and
disadvantage it holds.
Personality traits can be defined as the reflection of one’s characteristic of thoughts
behavior and feelings. It inferred consistency and stability. Psychologically traits define the idea
that people differ from one another on the basis of where they stand (Corayer 2017). As
mentioned earlier, many personality psychologists believe there are five basic dimensions of
personality, usually referred to as the ‘Big 5’ personality traits which are also known as Five
Factor Model (FFM). It can be categorized as extraversion, agreeableness, openness,
conscientiousness and neuroticism. Under each recommended factor there are many more
primary factors (Psychestudy 2018).
The five factors are described as:
Extraversion: extraverts are energies by interacting with others. Extraversion people are high in
social engagement and seek opportunities to engage with others. They are usually described as
full of life and with positivity. In group conversation extraversion talks very frequently and attest
themselves.

2THE BIG FIVE
The extent of extraversion and introversion can be measured through self-report
measures. Third party observation and peer reports can also be used in order to measure the
extent of extraversion.
There are pros and cons of being under the category of extraversion. Often it is seen that
extroverts are more successful than introverts as they are likely to begin a conversation, they are
enthusiastic about group discussion and good at giving speeches or presentation. However, there
are cons associated with this personality trait including the same traits that give them pros. They
are associated with psychopathy and anti-social behavior. They are often impulsive and
misunderstood for their enthusiasm (Dolph, 2009).
Agreeableness: one of the five traits is agreeableness. These persons are usually warm
and friendly. They often have an optimistic view and get along with others viewpoint.
Psychology measures agreeableness to be kind, trustworthy, helpful, and sympathetic. People
who are high agreeable tend to please other people and more social. They are willing to help
other people in need, and so they work well as a team. They intend to dissolve at time of
arguments. Certain question inventory such as NEO personality inventory and some personality
trait test involving questionnaire helps in measuring the agreeableness of a personality.
The advantages of this specific personality trait are that people with agreeableness are
likely to co-operate with others. They are trustworthy and not antagonistic. However, people
with a high level of -agreeableness are commonly over-pressurized and taken advantage
(Hakimi, Hejazi & Lavasani, 2011).

3THE BIG FIVE
Openness: it is one of the five personality traits it defines itself as open-minded nature. These
persons welcome new thoughts and ideas as well as admire them. Individuals with high openness
are usually imaginative rather than practical.
Openness is commonly measured with self-report measurement. Also, peer reports and third-
party observations can be used to measure the transparency of as a personality trait.
The significant advantage of having a personality trait is that people with a high level of
openness are open to new ideas and they are inclined towards innovation. It is an important trait
in the jobs that need creative thinking, knowledge and intelligence. The disadvantage of this
personality trait is that they are more inclined towards changes and therefore might be a problem
in long term contracts (Duckworth et al., 2012).
Conscientiousness: this personality trait is about the ways a person controls, regulates and
directs their impulses. People with a high level of conscientiousness are long term goal oriented,
they are deliberate over choices and like to act impulsively or cautiously. They also take
obligations to others in a very serious way. Self-report measures are used in order to measure this
personality trait. Also, peer reports and third-party observations can be used to measure the
openness of as a personality trait.
The advantage of this personality trait is that hiring people with a high degree of
conscientiousness are prompt and reliable. They are disciplined, organized and methodic that
makes them accountable and responsible. The disadvantages of these people are they are not
easily adjustable in every environment (Hudson & Fraley 2015,).
Neuroticism: this is the personality trait that reflects one’s emotional ability. This is a form of a
personality trait that determines a person’s level of reaction. A person, who is high in

4THE BIG FIVE
neuroticism, is like to react less emotionally and they are less easily upset. They have stability
when it comes to emotions, calm and does not experience negative feelings constantly. Various
forms of career test are present in order to measure this personality trait. Also, it can be measured
with self-report measurement.
The advantage of this personality trait is that people with a high level of emotional stability are
likely to experience every aspect appropriately with concern. However, it is also a disadvantage
as they are likely to be prone to mental health issues (Vitelli, 2015).
Each person is different than, and they are different from one another in various ways.
However, the most prominent quality that people differentiate people from one another is their
personality traits. As discussed above, humans possess mainly five dimensions of personality.
Each has different advantages and disadvantages. Organizations make use of these personalities
in order to improve their company’s workforce and internal strength.

5THE BIG FIVE
References:
Corayer, M 2017, “The Five Factor Model or Big Five (Intro Psych Tutorial #138)”,
PsychExamReview August 8 2017, On-line video, viewed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAJHRQOmjv8
Dolph, B 2009, “Big Five and Academic achievement “ Right People Candidate Testing Viewed
7th September 2018 https://rightpeople.com.au/blog/big-five-and-academic-
achievement.html
Duckworth, A, Weir D, Tsukayama E & Kwok D, 2012, ‘Who Does Well in Life?
Conscientious Adults Excel in Both Objective and Subjective Success’, Frontiers in
psychology. 3. 356. , doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00356
Hakimi, S, Hejazi, E., & Lavasani, M.G. (2011). The relationships between personality traits and
students’ academic achievement. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 29, 836-
845. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.11.312
Hudson, N & Fraley,C 2015, “Volitional personality trait change: Can people choose to change
their personality traits?”, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 109(3), 490-507.
DOI: 10.1037/pspp0000021
Psychestudy 2018, “The Big Five personality traits (Five Factor Model)” , Psychestudy website,
viewed 7th September 2018, https://www.psychestudy.com/general/personality/big-five
Roberts, B, Luo, J, Briley, D, Chow, P,, Su, R & Hill, P 2017 ‘A Systematic Review of
Personality Trait Change Through Intervention’ Psychological Bulletin Advance online
publication viewed 4th February 2019 http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/bul0000088

6THE BIG FIVE
Vitelli, R 2015, ‘Can you change your personality ?’, Psychology Today, viewed 7th September
2018, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/media-spotlight/201509/can-you-
change-your-personality