What Is Jordan Peterson’s Big 5 Personality Test?

Sajid Mumtaz
4 min readMar 17, 2023

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What Is Jordan Peterson’s Big 5 Personality Test?

The Big Five Personality Test is a scientific approach to measuring personality based on five broad dimensions of personality traits.

These dimensions are extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness. In this essay, we will discuss the five dimensions of the Big Five Personality Test in detail.

Extraversion:

Extraversion is one of the five dimensions of the Big Five Personality Test. It refers to the degree to which an individual is outgoing, sociable, and energetic.

People who score high on the extraversion scale are often described as outgoing, talkative, and assertive. They enjoy being the centre of attention and are comfortable in social situations.

They tend to be more impulsive, and they seek out stimulation and excitement. However, they may also be prone to risk-taking behaviour, and they may not always consider the consequences of their actions.

On the other hand, people who score low on the extraversion scale are often described as introverted, reserved, and quiet.

They prefer solitude to socialize and may feel uncomfortable in large groups. They may be more cautious in their behaviour and decision-making and may avoid taking risks.

Agreeableness:

Agreeableness is another dimension of the Big Five Personality Test. It refers to the degree to which an individual is cooperative, empathetic, and kind.

People who score high on the agreeableness scale are often described as warm, friendly, and compassionate. They value harmony and cooperation and are often sensitive to the needs of others.

They are good at maintaining relationships, and they are often well-liked by others. However, they may also be prone to be taken advantage of by others, as they may be too trusting and may not assert themselves when necessary.

On the other hand, people who score low on the agreeableness scale are often described as competitive, independent, and assertive.

They may be more sceptical of others and may have a tendency to be critical. They may be less concerned with maintaining social harmony and may be more focused on achieving their own goals and objectives.

Conscientiousness:

Conscientiousness is a third dimension of the Big Five Personality Test. It refers to the degree to which an individual is organized, responsible, and reliable.

People who score high on the conscientiousness scale are often described as dependable, hardworking, and disciplined. They have a strong sense of duty and responsibility, and they take their obligations seriously.

They tend to be more organized and planful in their behaviour, and they are often successful in their careers. However, they may also be prone to perfectionism and may be overly critical of themselves and others.

On the other hand, people who score low on the conscientiousness scale are often described as impulsive, disorganized, and unreliable.

They may be more spontaneous in their behaviour and decision-making and may have difficulty following through on commitments. They may be more focused on immediate gratification and may have a harder time delaying gratification.

Neuroticism:

Neuroticism is the fourth dimension of the Big Five Personality Test. It refers to the degree to which an individual is prone to negative emotions such as anxiety, depression, and anger.

People who score high on the neuroticism scale are often described as anxious, moody, and sensitive. They may be more prone to worry and may have a harder time coping with stress.

They may be more self-critical and may have lower self-esteem. However, they may also be more creative and imaginative.

On the other hand, people who score low on the neuroticism scale are often described as emotionally stable, resilient, and balanced.

Openness:

The personality trait of openness is one of the “Big Five” personality traits, which are considered the most important dimensions of personality. Openness refers to the degree to which individuals are open to new experiences, ideas, and perspectives. People who score high in openness tend to be imaginative, curious, and willing to try new things, while those who score low tend to be more traditional, practical, and prefer familiar experiences.

Some characteristics of high openness include:

  1. Imaginative and creative thinking: Open individuals tend to have a vivid imaginations and enjoy exploring new ideas.
  2. Intellectual curiosity: They have a strong desire to learn and expand their knowledge, often seeking out new experiences and information.
  3. Appreciation of aesthetics: Open people tend to be more appreciative of beauty and art, and are often drawn to creative expression.
  4. Flexibility: They are adaptable and willing to change their opinions or beliefs when presented with new information or perspectives.
  5. Tolerance of ambiguity: Open individuals are comfortable with uncertainty and are less likely to seek clear-cut answers to complex issues.

Overall, high openness is associated with a range of positive outcomes, including increased creativity, higher levels of intellectual engagement, and greater emotional intelligence. However, it may also be associated with some negative outcomes, such as greater risk-taking and impulsivity.

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