five factor model of personality

FFM domains

• McCrae and Costa

• neuroticism

• extraversion

• openness

• conscientiousness

• agreeableness

Big Five domains

• emotional stability

• extraversion

• intellect

• conscientiousness

• agreeableness

features of FFM

• top-down model

• suggests that personality traits determine levels of facets, which feed into behaviours

• e.g domain : neuroticism → facets : anxiety, anger, depression, impulsivity → behaviour

• measured via questionnaire items designed to reflect the causal role of personality in behaviour

  • 6 facets underlie each of the domains

• based on personality theory

  • questionnaires are designed to tap into behaviours

• suggests traits are derived from a biological process, traits have a genetic basis and are stable over cultures and time

features of big five

• a descriptive model of personality

• measured via adjectives

• based on the lexical approach + personality theory

  • natural language is used to identify personality traits

  • questionnaires are designed to tap into behaviours

• puts forth a collection of adjectives we use to describe our own + others’ behaviour

  • analysis of these adjectives should provide a description of the main domain of personality

Digman (1997) superfactors

• Alpha = socialisation {represents agreeableness , conscientiousness, neuroticism}

• Beta = personal expression/restriction {represents openness and extraversion}