What are the Big 5 Personality Traits?
We all want to feel seen, heard, and understood.
But sometimes, it can be a challenge to even understand ourselves.
If you used to love the personality quizzes you’d find in magazines, you might be excited to learn that there are many personality tests that psychologists still used today – like the Big Five Personality model.
Here at KMA Therapy, we know you want to have all the tools possible to understand yourself and create a life where you can thrive. For over 14 years, our dedicated team has helped our clients learn more about themselves in order to understand their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.
After reading this article, you’ll know what the Big Five Personality model is, what traits it includes, and how it can be applied to help you thrive in therapy.
What is the Big 5 Personality Model?
The Big 5 Personality Traits comprise the most widely accepted model of personality.
They explore five factors of personality, which are measured on a continuum that can predict many life outcomes like health and success.
The Big Five Personality Traits are:
- Openness
- Extraversion
- Neuroticism
- Agreeableness
- Conscientiousness
Where Did the Big Five Personality Model Come From?
The Big Five model is based on work by many personality researchers, but it was first established by D.W. Fiske in 1949.
Later studies continued to build on and explore models of personality, and now the Big 5 are widely used as a basis for personality research.
What Do the Big Five Personality Traits Describe?
The Big Five Personality Traits encompass a spectrum of five different personality aspects. They help describe how you think, feel, and act in different situations.
Openness encompasses how creative and open-minded you are.
Extraversion includes personality characteristics like being talkative, energetic, and outgoing.
Neuroticism describes how likely you are to experience feelings like anxiety, self-consciousness, and irritability.
Agreeableness describes how much you’re able to put other people’s needs before your own.
Conscientiousness describes how careful or diligent you are inclined to be when completing tasks or interacting with others.
How to Find Your Big Five Personality Type
You can find your Big Five Personality Profile by researching more about the personality traits online or taking this quick free quiz.
Learning more about the Big Five Personality Traits can be a helpful way to help understand yourself and the people around you.
The Big Five Personality Traits in Therapy
Learning your Big 5 Personality profile can also help you understand what you need during the therapy process.
For example, if you score high in neuroticism, you might need a therapist who is great at helpful you feel confident and gives you tangible ways to measure your progress during therapy.
If you score low on conscientiousness, homework-intensive and highly structured therapy modalities might be more challenging for you than more flexible, adaptable methods.
Next Steps for Finding the Right Therapy for You
After reading this article, you know what the Big Five personality traits are and how they can apply to therapy.
Here at KMA Therapy, we know you want customized therapy options based on your personality and your lifestyle. Our diverse team of therapists is here to make sure you’re matched with the best therapist for you.
Book an appointment today or connect with our caring team to learn more.
If you’re not yet ready to book an appointment, check out these articles to keep learning:
