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The Big Five Aspects Scale
You have just completed assessing yourself with 100 phrases. Our systems have compared your-self-ratings to those of thousands of other people. You are being compared to men and women of all ages. This means that if you are young, your scores on neuroticism will be higher and on agreeableness and conscientiousness will be lower than if you were compared to people of your own age (with the reverse being true for older individuals). For men, their scores on agreeableness will be higher and on neuroticism will be lower than if they were just being compared to men. We decided to make the comparisons simple, so that you know where you stand in comparison to the typical person (with age and sex regarded as irrelevant).

Here are your results: You will see below where you stand in comparison to others in the general population on the major traits and their aspects:

Agreeableness: Compassion and Politeness
Conscientiousness: Industriousness and Orderliness
Extraversion: Enthusiasm and Assertiveness
Neuroticism: Withdrawal and Volatility
Openness to Experience: Openness and Intellect
Remember that each personality trait and aspect (and your relative position with respect to them) has advantages and disadvantages. It is for that reason that variation exists in the human population: there is a niche for each personality configuration. Much of what constitutes success in life is therefore the consequence of finding the place in relationships, work and personal commitment that corresponds to your unique personality structure. Good luck with your expanded self-understanding!

Note also that if you find that the descriptions harsher than you might consider appropriate this may mean that you were more self-critical than necessary when completing the questions (remember, the results are based on your own self-report, compared to that of others). This can occur if you were feeling temporarily or chronically unhappy or anxious, or hungry, angry or judgmental when you completed the questions.

Agreeableness: Moderately High

You are moderately high in agreeableness, which is the primary dimension of Interpersonal interaction in the Big Five personality trait scientific model. Agreeableness has two aspects: compassion and politeness, which will be explained separately. Agreeableness is a very complex trait, with marked positive and negative elements all along its distribution. Because of this, higher scores and lower scores need to be explained at the same time.

People high in agreeableness are nice: compliant, nurturing, kind, naively trusting and conciliatory. However, because of their tendency to avoid conflict, they often dissemble and hide what they think. People low in agreeableness are not so nice: stubborn, dominant, harsh, skeptical, competitive and, in the extreme, even predatory. However, they tend to be straightforward, even blunt, so you know where they stand.

Your score puts you at the 68th percentile for agreeableness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more agreeable than 68 of them and less agreeable than 31 of them.

AGREEABLENESS
68th percentile
 
You are more agreeable than 68 of 100 people
People with moderately high levels of agreeableness are seen by others as cooperative, warm and considerate. They are likely to look for and even sometimes to see the best in others, and are interpersonally tolerant (an attitude that is much valued by agreeable people). They do not like seeing someone’s feelings get hurt, and are concerned about the emotional state of others, preferring peace and harmony. They tend somewhat towards submissiveness, rather than dominance (particularly if also below average in neuroticism).

People with moderately high levels of agreeableness are somewhat forgiving, accepting, flexible, gentle and patient. They tend to feel pity for those who are excluded, punished or defeated. They generally feel that people should work cooperatively, and are somewhat skeptical of competition, with its losers and winners. However, moderately agreeable people have to be careful not to be taken advantage of, particularly by disagreeable people, including those with criminal or predatory intent. They may also find it somewhat difficult to engage in arguments (and may even avoid discussions) with less agreeable people. They have to work at bargaining for themselves, or at negotiating for more recognition or power. They may have somewhat lower salaries and earn less money, in consequence. All of this can produce a tendency to resentment and hidden anger, particularly among those who are also high in neuroticism. Furthermore, because of their tendency to avoid or reduce conflict, moderately agreeable people may be tempted to sacrifice medium- to long-term stability and function for the sake of short-term peace. This can mean that problems that should be solved in the present can accumulate counterproductively across time.

Women are higher in agreeableness than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 61.5. For men it is 38.5. The fact that men are lower in agreeableness than women helps explain their much higher rates of criminal incarceration (90% male). The primary difference between criminals and non-criminals is disagreeableness. If the typical criminal is more disagreeable than 98% of people in the general population, then almost all those criminals will be male. This difference in agreeableness between men and women is largest in countries such as Norway and Sweden, where the most has been done to ensure equality of outcome between the sexes. This provides strong evidence that biological factors rather than environment and learning account for the dissimilarity.

Agreeableness, per se, is not strongly associated with political liberalism or conservatism, but this is because the aspects of agreeableness predict such political belief in opposite ways, and cancel each other out. Liberals are higher in aspect compassion, and conservatives in aspect politeness. However, alliance with the category of belief that has come to be known as politically correct is strongly predicted by agreeableness (particularly compassion). What this appears to mean is that agreeable people strongly identify with those they deem oppressed, seeing them, essentially, as exploited infants, and demonize those they see as oppressors, seeing them as cruel, heartless predators.

There are large differences between men and women in terms of spontaneous interest, and these also appear associated with agreeableness. Agreeable people, caring as they do for others, are more likely to enter professions associated with people, such as teaching and nursing, which are dominated by women. This is true even in the Scandinavian countries, where attempts to produce gender-equal societies has reached a maximum. Disagreeable people, by contrast, appear to prefer systematizing over empathizing, and are more interested in things – machines and technology. In consequence, professions such as engineering and trades associated with construction and machinery tend to be dominated by relatively disagreeable men.

Agreeableness has two aspects: compassion and politeness.

 

Compassion: Moderately Low

You are moderately low in compassion, which is one aspect of Agreeableness. Your score puts you at the 31st percentile for compassion. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be less compassionate than 68 of them and more compassionate than 31 of them.

Less compassionate people are not primarily oriented towards the problems of other people or other living things. They are less swayed by cuteness. They are willing to make other people experience negative emotion by engaging in conflict and competition. They like to win, and are less concerned about helping other people. They make sure their own needs and interests are attended to, and are less likely to sacrifice for the sake of other people. This can make them appear harsh and unsympathetic. People might turn to them for the truth, but not for a soft, patient, eternally-listening ear. They are not markedly empathetic and caring. However, because they are not primarily other-oriented, they can often negotiate effectively on their own behalf, and are likely to get at least what they deserve (for their hard work, for example). In consequence, they are unlikely to harbor feelings of resentment or hidden anger.

COMPASSION
31st percentile
 
You are less compassionate than 68 of 100 people
Those who are liberal, politically, score somewhat higher in compassion than conservatives.

Women are also higher in compassion than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 61. For men it is 39.

 

Politeness: Very High

You are very high in politeness, which is one aspect of Agreeableness. Your score puts you at the 92nd percentile for politeness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more polite than 92 of them and less polite than 7 of them.

Very polite people are strikingly deferential to authority, and are uncommonly obedient. They are frequently respectful and hate to appear (or to be) pushy. They are typically uncomfortable challenging other people. Very polite people will try diligently to avoid conflict, and have an intense desire to steer clear of confrontations or fights.

 POLITENESS
92nd percentile
 
You are more polite than 92 of 100 people
Those who are liberal, politically, score somewhat lower in politeness than conservatives (the opposite pattern is seen with compassion).

Women are higher in politeness than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 59. For men it is 41.

 

Conscientiousness: Moderately Low

You are moderately low in conscientiousness, which is the primary dimension of dutiful achievement in the Big Five personality trait scientific model. Conscientiousness is a measure of obligation, attention to detail, hard work, persistence, cleanliness, efficiency and adherence to rules, standards and processes. Conscientious people implement their plans and establish and maintain order.

Your score puts you at the 28th percentile for conscientiousness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be less conscientious than 71 of them and more conscientious than 28 of them.

People moderately low in conscientiousness are not particularly dutiful. They are by no means sloggers. They will only work hard if pushed, and don’t mind wasting time. They are quite likely to procrastinate (particularly if they are also above average in neuroticism). If people with moderately low levels of conscientiousness commit to doing something, there is a good chance they will be late, or delayed, even if there isn’t much reason for it. They tend to find and deliver excuses for their failure under such circumstances. They are not markedly decisive, neat, organized, future-oriented, or reliable, and they find themselves easily distracted.

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS
28th percentile
 
You are less conscientious than 71 of 100 people
People with moderately low levels of conscientiousness are less likely to obtain higher grades in academic settings (particularly if they are also less intelligent), and generally require substantial supervision to stay on task. For this reason, they make less than optimal managers and administrators. They do not feel compelled to do things by the book, however. This can perhaps be an advantage if they are engaged in creative tasks, where rules must be broken for advancement to take place. They are unlikely to make career accomplishment a primary goal, turning instead to pursuit of safety and security (if high in neuroticism), creative accomplishment (if high in openness), establishment of intimate relationships and friendships (if highly agreeable), or social success, excitement and fun (if extraverted).

People moderately low in conscientiousness tend to be relatively free of guilt, shame, self-disgust and self-contempt. Other people, however, may react negatively to their tendency to slack off (particularly if those other people are disagreeable and conscientious).

Individuals who are moderately low in conscientious are not particularly concerned by failure. They are not judgmental, to themselves or others, and tend towards situational explanations for disappointment, frustration or lack of success. They can handle periods of inactivity and unemployment with relative ease. They tend to downplay the relationship between hard work, diligence and success, believing that chance factors and luck in life play a determining role. They live, in large part, for leisure and very much look forward to time off. They can be good at relaxing, and living in the moment (particularly when low in neuroticism). They are less concerned than average with cleaning, moral purity and achievement. It’s more fun to be at the beach or at a party with a person moderately low in conscientiousness – but you might not want to invite them over on moving day.

People moderately low in conscientiousness are more likely to be political liberals rather than conservatives. This is particularly true if they are also high in openness.

Women are very slightly more conscientious than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 51.5. For men it is 49.5.

Conscientiousness has two aspects: industriousness and orderliness.

 

Industriousness: Moderately Low

You are moderately low in industriousness, which is one aspect of conscientiousness. Your score puts you at the 38th percentile for industriousness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be less industrious than 61 of them and more industrious than 38 of them.

People who are lower in industriousness are less likely to be successful in school and in administrative and managerial positions (particularly if they are also less intelligent). If they are highly intelligent, they are likely to be regarded as underachievers. They don’t focus on work as much as others and are more likely to procrastinate, miss deadlines, or fail to complete assignments or projects completely. They have a tendency to put off responsibilities, concentrating more on fun, worry, relationships, excitement or creative endeavour. They aren’t particularly concerned with schedules, timelines or efficiency, and may have to be supervised excessively before their tasks will be completed. They lack focus and are easily distracted.

INDUSTRIOUSNESS
38th percentile
 
You are less industrious than 61 of 100 people
People moderately low in industriousness are not judgmental to themselves or others. They tend to let people, including themselves, off the hook. They are less likely to believe that people fail because they don’t apply themselves or work hard, assuming that chance and luck play the determining roles. They are not prone to guilt, self-disgust or self-contempt, and have a laissez-faire, whatever-will-be-will-be attitude toward life.

Those who are liberal and those who are conservatives appear equally industrious.

Men are slightly more industrious than women. The mean percentile for men in a general population (women and men) is 51.5. For women it is 49.5.

 

Orderliness: Moderately Low

You are moderately low in orderliness, which is one aspect of conscientiousness. Your score puts you at the 25th percentile for orderliness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be less orderly than 74 of them and more orderly than 25 of them.

People moderately low in orderliness are neither disturbed nor disgusted by mess and chaos. They tend simply not to notice such things. They see the world in shades of grey, rather than black and white, and are non-judgmental in their attitudes toward themselves and others. They rarely use schedules, list, or routines and, even if they plan, tend not to implement those plans, preferring to take things as they come, and let chance determine the outcome. They are not oriented toward detail and take neither rules nor procedures too seriously.

ORDERLINESS
25th percentile
 
You are less orderly than 74 of 100 people
People who are moderately low in orderliness care less than average for routine and predictability. Their schedules are loose and disruption doesn’t bother them. They require almost constant reminder and supervision to maintain attention and focus, and are easily distracted. They can, however, tolerate the mess, disruption and intervening periods of chaos that may accompany creative endeavour.

Those who are below average in orderliness are less likely to be political conservatives. Orderliness is the second-best predictor of conservatism, after openness to experience.

Women are more orderly than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 54.5. For men it is 45.5. This may account for some of the trouble in relation to housework between women and men. Since women are, on average, more orderly, household disorder will trigger disgust and discomfort in them faster. This may happen with sufficient frequency so they end up doing a disproportionate share of such work (even though if they waited a bit longer their less orderly partners, often men, might end up equally troubled and motivated to fix the problem). Orderly people are more likely to have items such as event calendars, drawer organizers, laundry baskets, irons and ironing boards in their immediate environments.

 

Extraversion: High

You are high in extraversion, which is the primary dimension of positive emotion in the Big Five personality trait scientific model. Extraversion is a measure of general sensitivity to positive emotions such as hope, joy, anticipation and approach, particularly in social situations.

Your score puts you at the 77th percentile for extraversion. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more extraverted than 77 of them and less extraverted than 22 of them.

People with high levels of extraversion are comparatively enthusiastic, talkative, assertive in social situations, and gregarious. They are typically energized by social contact, and crave it. They take great pleasure in planning parties, telling jokes, making people laugh, and taking part in community activities. They are likely to have positive memories of the past, high levels of current self-esteem (particularly if they are low in neuroticism), and to feel positive and optimistic about the future.

 EXTRAVERSION
77th percentile
 
You are more extraverted than 77 of 100 people
People who are highly extraverted have a difficult time keeping things to themselves, and tend to tell everyone everything. They are self-disclosing (particularly if also high in neuroticism) and they warm up quickly to other people. They tend to speak first and most often in meetings. They can be captivating and convincing. They will often be the first to act.

People who are high in extraversion make enthusiastic employees, and are well-suited to jobs involving sales, persuasion, work in groups and public speaking (particularly, once again, if they are low in neuroticism). They are not as suited to occupations that require a lot of isolated work (such as computer programming or accounting).

People high in extraversion can also be impulsive, particularly when it comes to having fun in social situations. They are more likely than average to sacrifice the future to the present, when something social or group-oriented beckons. It is somewhat difficult for them to be alone and to study and work. They can be easily distracted by opportunities to chat, joke and socialize. This is particularly the case if they are also low in conscientiousness. When individuals are extraverted and conscientious, they are more productive than if they are introverted and conscientious. However, when they are introverted and unconscientious, they are more productive than they are when they are extroverted and unconscientious.

People high in extraversion are more dominant in social situations, particularly if they are also low in agreeableness. Less agreeable extraverts tend to be self-centered – something that can be made worse if they are also low in conscientiousness.

Those who are politically liberal are slightly less extraverted than conservatives.

Women are slightly more extraverted than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 52. For men it is 48.

Extraversion has two aspects: Enthusiasm and Assertiveness.

 

Enthusiasm: Typical or Average

You are typical or average in enthusiasm, which is one aspect of extraversion. Your score puts you at the 53rd percentile for enthusiasm. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more enthusiastic than 53 of them and less enthusiastic than 46 of them.

Individuals who are average in enthusiasm have their excitable moments, are sometimes happy, and are reasonably easy to get to know, but they are essentially moderate in their positive emotion. They will talk about things or people they find particularly interesting, but tend to keep more quiet, otherwise. They laugh and joke, but not excessively. They don’t crave the spotlight. They enjoy parties, in moderation, and generally like to be around people, but they can spend time alone. They don’t warm up immediately to others, particularly in groups, and they can keep their own affairs private. They like excitement, but only in moderate doses. They are moderately positive about the past and future.

ENTHUSIASM
53rd percentile
 
You are more enthusiastic than 53 of 100 people
Enthusiasm is not strongly associated with political preference, either conservative or liberal.

Women are higher in enthusiasm than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 55. For men it is 45.

 

Assertiveness: High

You are high in assertiveness, which is one aspect of extraversion. Your score puts you at the 88th percentile for assertiveness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more assertive than 88 of them and less assertive than 11 of them.

Highly assertive people are “take charge” types. They put their own opinions forward strongly, and tend to dominate and control social situations. Assertive people can be influential and captivating. They have the communication style that is often associated with leadership. This is good when they are knowledgeable, competent and able, but not so good when they aren’t. Assertive people are people of action. They don’t generally wait for others to lead the way. They can be more impulsive than average, and can act without thinking.

 ASSERTIVENESS
88th percentile
 
You are more assertive than 88 of 100 people
Liberals tend to be slightly less assertive than conservatives.

Women are slightly less assertive than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 48. For men it is 52.

 

Neuroticism: Moderately Low

You are moderately low in neuroticism, which is the primary dimension of negative emotion in the Big Five personality trait scientific model. Neuroticism is a measure of general sensitivity to negative emotions such as pain, sadness, irritable or defensive anger, fear and anxiety.

Your score puts you at the 26th percentile for neuroticism. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be lower in neuroticism than 73 of them and higher in neuroticism than 26 of them.

People with moderately low levels of neuroticism tend not to focus on the negative elements, anxieties and uncertainties of the past, present and future. They can have periods of time where they are unhappy, anxious and irritable, particularly when facing a serious, sustained problem, but they generally cope well, don’t worry too much, and recover comparatively quickly when stressed. They’re pretty good at keeping their head in a storm, and they tend not to mountains out of molehills.

NEUROTICISM
26th percentile
 
You are lower in neuroticism than 73 of 100 people
They tend to have higher than average levels of self-esteem, particularly when they are also average or above average in extraversion. They are at relatively low risk for developing anxiety disorders and depression (again, particularly if average or above in extraversion).

When good things happen to them, people with moderately low levels of neuroticism can accept it, without wondering if they deserved it. They generally tend to be satisfied with their relationships and careers. Overall, they are quite tolerant of stress, and can accept failure and setbacks as part of life. Moderately low levels of neuroticism are associated with less concern about mental and physical health, fewer physician and emergency room visits, and a lower than average degree of absenteeism at work and at school (unless accompanied by very low levels of conscientiousness).

People with moderately low levels of neuroticism can handle risk better without becoming unduly concerned. They are less concerned with security, and can handle recreational, career, financial and social situations where the possibility of loss is higher. This makes it easier for them to consider as well as implement career changes and other transformations that could enhance their lives.

Neuroticism is not a powerful predictor of political belief, either conservative or liberal.

Females tend to be higher in neuroticism than males. The typical woman is higher in neuroticism than 60% of the general population of men and women combined. In part, this may be why women report more unhappiness in their relationships, at work, in school and with their health than men, on average, and why women initiate 70% of all divorces. This difference in neuroticism between men and women appears to emerge at puberty. It is largest in countries such as Norway and Sweden, where the most has been done to ensure equality of outcome between the sexes. This provides strong evidence that biological factors rather than environment and learning account for the dissimilarity.

Trait neuroticism is made up of the aspects withdrawal and volatility.

 

Withdrawal: Moderately Low

You are moderately low in withdrawal, which is one aspect of neuroticism. Your score puts you at the 23rd percentile for withdrawal. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be lower in withdrawal than 76 of them and higher in withdrawal than 23 of them.

Individuals moderately low in withdrawal tend not to suffer from nor be impeded by anticipatory anxiety. They can handle new, uncertain, unexpected, threatening or complex situations quite well. They are not more likely to avoid or withdraw in the face of the unknown and unexpected.

People with moderately low levels of withdrawal occasionally feel sad, lonesome, disappointed and grief-stricken, but not too deeply, and not for too long. They experience lower than normal levels of doubt and worry, embarrassment, self-consciousness and discouragement in the face of threat and punishment. They are not particularly sensitive nor worried about social rejection, and don’t easily feel hurt or threatened. Even when hurt, frightened, or anxious, they recover with relative ease and speed. People with moderately low levels of withdrawal are not particularly concerned that something bad is going to happen. Technically, withdrawal has been associated with activity in the brain systems that regulate passive avoidance.

WITHDRAWAL
23rd percentile
 
You are lower in withdrawal than 76 of 100 people
Those who are liberal, politically, are slightly higher in withdrawal than conservatives.

Women are higher in withdrawal than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 60. For men it is 40.

 

Volatility: Moderately Low

You are moderately low in volatility, which is one aspect of neuroticism. Your score puts you at the 34th percentile for volatility. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be less volatile than 65 of them and more volatile than 34 of them.

Individuals moderately low in volatility tend to not to vary much in their mood. They are not particularly irritable, and feel lower levels of disappointment, frustration, pain and social isolation. People find them easy to be around. They express their frustration, disappointment and irritability quite reasonably and not very often. Even when stirred up and upset or angry or irritated, they calm down quickly. They are less argumentative than average and rarely lose their composure.

If overly provoked in a dispute, a person of average volatility may react in kind (particularly if also low in agreeableness). However, such people tend to remain calm and unperturbed, even when stressed. Volatile people tend to get upset if something bad does happen, while people high in withdrawal (the other aspect of neuroticism) tend to be concerned that something bad might happen. Technically, volatility has been associated with activity in the brain systems that regulate fight, flight or freeze.

VOLATILITY
34th percentile
 
You are less volatile than 65 of 100 people
Volatility is not strongly related to political preference, either liberal or conservative.

Women are higher in volatility than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 57.5. For men it is 42.5.

 

Openness to Experience: Very High

You are very high in openness to experience, which is the primary dimension of creativity, artistic interest and intelligence (particularly verbal intelligence) in the Big Five personality trait scientific model. Openness to experience is a measure of interest in novelty, art, literature, abstract thinking, philosophy as well as sensitivity to aesthetic emotions and beauty.

Your score puts you at the 89th percentile for openness to experience. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be higher in openness to experience than 89 of them and lower in openness to experience than 10 of them.

People with very high levels of openness to experience are extremely likely to be characterized by others as uncommonly smart, creative, exploratory, intelligent and visionary. They are strikingly interested in learning, and are constantly acquiring new abilities and skills. They are very curious and exploratory. They are very interested in abstract thinking, philosophy, and the meaning of belief systems and ideologies. They will seek out cultural events such as movies, concerts, dance recitals, plays, poetry readings, gallery openings and art shows. They are unusually likely to enjoy writing (or even to be driven to write). They enjoy complex, abstract ideas and love to confront and solve complex, abstract and multi-dimensional problems.

 OPENNESS TO EXPERIENCE
89th percentile
 
You are higher in openness to experience than 89 of 100 people
They are uncommonly likely to be prolific readers, with an unusually wide range of interests. They have an uncommonly broad and deep vocabulary. They can think and learn with striking speed. They are frequently proficient at formulating new ideas, and very strongly tend to be articulate (particularly if average or above in extraversion). People very high in openness can see old things in strikingly new ways. They can formulate any single problem in an uncommonly diverse range of ways, and can generate an atypically large number of problem-solving solutions. They will continually seek change, often to make things better, but also just for the sake of change.

People who are very high in openness to experience are not well adapted to and do not do well in situations or occupations that are routinized and predictable. They do not fit in at all well at the bottom of hierarchies. They are uncommonly ill-suited to entry-level, repetitive, rote positions, because they are always thinking up new ways to do things, and such ideas are seldom welcome from someone at the bottom. They are very radical thinkers. They shake things up, particularly if they are also disagreeable and assertive. They are more likely to be revolutionary rebels (particularly if average or below in conscientiousness).

Individuals very high in openness to experience are entrepreneurial in spirit, as well as smart and creative. They have very much higher than average interest in creating new ventures, sometimes for profit, sometimes for curiosity, and sometimes for personal transformation. Very high levels of openness to experience appear necessary to the formation and leadership of business and other forms of complex organization, although conscientiousness appears required for the attention to detail and process management that such organizations also always need.

Because people who are very high in openness to experience tend to be interested in everything, this can make it hard for them to settle on a single path in life, to specialize to a necessary degree, and to create an integrated identity. This is particularly dangerous if they are high in neuroticism and/or low in conscientiousness. People characterized by the combination of high openness to experience and high neuroticism continually undermine their own convictions and beliefs by incessant questioning and make themselves lost and anxious. Open, unconscientious people tend to be “under-achievers” (particularly if also above average in neuroticism). Such people appear to have the capability to succeed, can learn quickly, and are creative, but they seldom implement their ideas.

Openness to experience is the dimension that best predicts political allegiance (with conscientiousness, particularly the aspect of orderliness, coming in at second place). Those who are liberal, politically, are very much more likely to be high in openness to experience than conservatives.

Women and men differ very little in openness to experience at the trait level, although there are differences in the aspect levels.

Trait openness to experience is made up of the aspects of intellect and openness.

 

Intellect: Very High

Note: Do not confuse the personality aspect of Intellect with IQ. Intellect is a measure of interest in abstract ideas, essentially, while IQ is a measure of processing speed, verbal ability, working memory, and problem solving capacity, and is better measured with a formal IQ test. It is perfectly possible to have a high IQ and a low score on the personality trait of Intellect (or the reverse).

You are very high in intellect, which is one aspect of openness to experience. Your score puts you at the 92nd percentile for intellect. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be higher in intellect than 92 of them and lower in intellect than 7 of them.

People very high in intellect are notably interested in ideas and abstract concepts. They crave exposure to novel information, even when it is complex. They are highly curious and exploratory, and actively want to find, tackle and solve challenging problems. They will much more frequently seek out and initiate issue-oriented discussions, and are very likely to read, think about and want to discuss idea-centered books (generally non-fiction). They are markedly articulate, and can formulate ideas clearly and quickly (particularly if average or higher in extraversion). They have a broad and wide vocabulary, and continually want to learn new things. People very high in intellect will constantly find and generate novel, creative concepts and voluntarily search for and adapt very well to new experience and situations.

 INTELLECT
92nd percentile
 
You are higher in intellect than 92 of 100 people
People very high in intellect find complex, rapidly changing occupations necessary and will generally excel at them (particularly if they are also high in conscientiousness and low in neuroticism). However, they are very much less well-suited to stable, straightforward and more traditional occupations, where the rules don't change, and will experience frequent periods of boredom and intolerable levels of frustration in such positions.

Liberals are higher in intellect than conservatives (although the biggest difference between the two is openness to experience at the trait level).

Women are lower than men in intellect (although not in IQ). This is probably a difference in interest: people high in intellect, compared to openness, are more likely to prefer the sciences to the arts. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 45. For men it is 55.

 

Openness: Moderately High

You are moderately high in openness, which is one aspect of openness to experience. Your puts you at the 75th percentile for openness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be higher in openness than 75 of them and lower in openness than 24 of them.

The closest synonym for openness (rather than openness to experience, which encompasses openness and intellect) is creativity. Moderately open, creative people find beauty important. Without an outlet for their creative ability they may have some difficulty thriving. They like art or beautiful crafts. They are more sensitive to color and architectural form. They often enjoy collecting. They are comparatively imaginative, and may daydream and reflect on many things. They tend to enjoy music, perhaps of more than one genre, and may be somewhat musical or artistic themselves (both of these are rare in the general population). They can find themselves immersed in a book, or a movie, or in their own thoughts, and become somewhat oblivious to the outside world. They respond well to beauty, creativity and art.

OPENNESS
75th percentile
 
You are higher in openness than 75 of 100 people
Moderately open, creative people tend not to be impractical or flighty, however, despite their creative openness (unless they are particularly low in conscientiousness). At least moderate levels of openness appear necessary for entrepreneurial success, and prove comparatively useful at the top of hierarchies, even in very conservative occupations such as banking, accounting and law, which need creative people in leadership positions to provide new vision and direction.

Liberals are higher in openness than conservatives (although the biggest difference between the two is openness to experience, at the trait level).

Women are higher in openness than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 56.5. For men it is 44.5.