Personality Traits - Meaning and Different Types of Traits

An individual’s behavior towards others, attitude, characteristics, mindset make his personality.

Personality development is defined as a process of enhancing one’s personality. Personality development sessions guide an individual as to how he/she can develop his/her personality.

Personality Traits

Broadly there are five parameters which describe an individual’s personality. These five dimensions are also called as “Big Five” Factors, and the model is referred to as Five Factor Model also abbreviated as FFM.

The Five Factor Model was initially proposed by Costa & McCrae in the year 1992 and often describes the relation between an individual’s personality and various behaviours.

Following are five personality traits of an individual:

1. Openness to experience

   Individuals with openness to experience are generally very active, have a tremendous inclination towards creativity and aesthetics and listen to their heart i.e. follow their inner feelings. Such individuals are generally open to new learnings, skill sets and experiences.

   People who score high on openness are quite broadminded and modern in their outlook as compared to individuals who score low on the same parameter. Such individuals are conservative, reluctant to changes and have a traditional approach in life.

2. Conscientiousness

   As the name suggests, individuals with a Conscientiousness personality trait listen to their conscience and act accordingly. Such individuals are extremely cautious and self disciplined. They never perform any task in haste but think twice before acting.

   People with this personality trait are generally methodical and tend to become perfectionists in the long run.

   People who score high on conscientiousness are proactive, goal oriented and self disciplined. They strive hard to accomplish goals and objectives within the stipulated time frame. Individuals who score less are little laid back and are not much goal oriented.

3. Extraversion and Introversion

   Carl Jung popularized both the terms - “Extraversion” and “Introversion”.

   1. Extraversion: Extraversion refers to a state where individuals show more concern towards what is happening outside.

      Such individuals love interacting with people around and are generally talkative. They do not like spending time alone but love being the centre of attraction of parties and social gatherings.

      Such individuals love going out, partying, meeting people and often get bored when they are all by themselves. They admire the company of others and hate staying alone.

   2. Introversion: Introversion, on the other hand refers to a state when an individual is concerned only with his own life and nothing else.

      Such individuals do not bother about others and are seldom interested in what is happening around. They prefer staying back at home rather than going out and spending time with friends.

      Such individuals speak less and enjoy their own company. You would never find them in meetings, clubs, parties or social get-togethers. They generally do not have many friends and tend to rely on few trusted ones.

4. Agreeableness

   Agreeableness is a personality trait which teaches individuals to be adjusting in almost all situations.

   Such individuals do not crib and face changes with a smile. They accommodate themselves to all situations and are friendly and kind hearted. People who score high on agreeableness are ready to help others and flash their trillion dollar smile whenever a problem arises.

   Individuals who score low on agreeableness on the other hand find difficulties in adjusting with others and are little unfriendly.

5. Neuroticism

   Neuroticism is a trait where individuals are prone to negative thoughts such as anxiety, anger, envy, guilt and so on.

   Such individuals are often in a state of depression and do not know how to enjoy life. They always look at the negative sides of life and find extremely difficult to cope up with stress.

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