You don't need a Myers Briggs Personality Test to know if your personality type is working for or against you! Here are the Big Five Personality Traits & how they work.
Your Big Five Personality Traits affect your health, relationships, goals, achievements, professional success, and even your spiritual life. Your whole life is affected both positively and negatively by your Big Five Personality Traits!
In fact, some people believe there is such thing as a "cancer personality." If someone has a cancer personality, it's believed that their characteristics actually create toxins that work against their immune system, leaving them defenseless against certain diseases. Or, they repress negative emotions that create toxins, which can lead to terminal illnesses.
Your Big Five Personality Traits don't include the "cancer personality" (if such a thing exists). The fundamental five personality characteristics - called the "Big Five Personality Traits" among psychologists - were once thought to remain the same since childhood. Now, experts believe the Big Five Personality Traits change over time.
The Big Five Personality Traits
1. Conscientiousness. You're organized and disciplined, dedicated and loyal – especially at work. Excellent performances and strong commitments are standard. Of all the Big Five Personality Traits, this one will take you far in your career.
2. Agreeableness. You're friendly, pleasant and easy to be around; your relationships are mostly strong. You're a social creature, and get your energy from being around other people. This Big Five Personality Trait opens many doors!
3. Neuroticism. You feel anxiety, and you worry often. Your anxiety can make you emotionally unstable, and you're more likely to struggle with depression and sadness. This Big Five Personality Trait can lead to physical ill health.
4. Openness. You love adventures and trying new things; you're insightful and imaginative. Creativity adds spice to your life, and you're not afraid to take risks. People with this Big Five Personality Trait are often risk takers.
5. Extroversion. You're assertive, talkative, and don't mind being the centre of attention (in fact, you prefer it!). Being alone isn't your favorite activity; in fact, the more the merrier. This Big Five Personality Trait is found in extroverts all over the world!
Are your Big Five Personality Traits working for or against you? If your personality traits hold you back, damage your relationships, interfere with your work, or cause pain, then you may be ripe for a to make some personality changes!
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The copyright of the article The Big Five Personality Traits in Psychology is owned by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen. Permission to republish The Big Five Personality Traits in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
The extraversion bit is a load-- introversion is more common and
introverted people can do work just as well as anyone else, perhaps better
at certain types of tasks.
You have some control over
personality traits and actions (thinking positively, controlling emotions,
forgiveness to eradicate anger, etc), but your fundamental personality type
(which includes extraversion or introversion) cannot be changed.
Dec 6, 2008 9:17 AM
Guest :
Hi,"Guest" ---I just wanted to let you know that---Yes!
absolutely! Introverts are great leaders, especially those thought to be
"Altruists", meaning, a combination of introvert and extrovert. I
understand your seemingly frustration --- in that most people seem to
prefer "extroverts and shun introverts"---yet, these are
denouncements are typically for the most extreme case of each
caharacteristics. I can clearly see that you are well on your way to avery
healthy balance aming both characteristics! Stay there :) Tonya Hall, MS
Jan 14, 2009 9:57 AM
Guest :
I've found all of the articles that I've read here very well written and
helpful. Thank you! One comment on the "Cancer personality"
statement: While as a scientist developing drugs for cancer I agree that
one's moods can effect the immune system, it's likely not helpful for a
cancer patient or survivor to read that he or she may have caused the
cancer. Reading about what you can do to prevent disease may be a great
way to frame the concept. The spirit of what is conveyed might be less
potentially hurtful to others with more generic wording. Just a thought.
Again, thanks for the articles.
Feb 22, 2009 4:27 PM
Guest :
Extroverts are often a pain in ones A$$. Overbearing and often put
pressure on weaker people around them.
Mar 3, 2009 12:24 PM
Guest :
Reply to: Guest Feb 22, 2009 4:27pm. Yes some can be considered to be
that way but often times they are meerly a pain because you simply haven't
found a way to work with them. :]
Mar 4, 2009 5:59 PM
Guest :
Re: comment about Extroverts over introverts: There needs to be balance.
Everyone can't be the 'chief'. And btw, in a recent real life situation, I
was told I wasn't a 'team player' because I refused to be bullied in front
of others and accept a co-worker's word as law. And oh by the way, did I
mention I was supposed to work there for free (as the company was low on
funds).? Pure example of her being Overbearing and Narcissistic, not to
mention unethical and borderline illegal. I am a very succesful lady,
sometimes an introvert and sometimes more extroverted. But I agree: Let's
hear it for the Introverts!
Mar 16, 2009 4:00 PM
Guest :
Hi, I am totally 1,2,4 and 5. But i am being told by my boss that my
personality needs to change because some people dont like me and that hurts
because I like people in general. Debra
Mar 19, 2009 8:22 PM
Guest :
I really need a personality change. I have became depressed and
anti-social. I use to not be this way and now I'm not really sure how I got
here. I want to be more open to everything and more out spoken and out
going. I don't want to worry anymore about what people think. I want to
live for myself and do what makes me happy. i just don't know where to
start. Please help!!
Mar 20, 2009 7:28 AM
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :
I'm sorry to hear that you've fallen into this rut - but glad that you're
ready to make changes in your life!
First, I encourage you to
make sure you're not depressed. There are some online depression tests --
but better yet is to visit your doctor. If you're depressed, you don't need
to focus on changing your personality traits...you need to deal with the
depression.
Second, I suggest you sit down and figure out how
you want your life to look -- how you want to be. Make a list of 3-5 things
you want to change in your life, and then figure out exactly how to make
those changes. You'll need specific action steps, such as "join a
hiking club" or "start volunteering with the United Way."
Once you start taking action - even if it's "just"
visiting the doctor or planning your future - you'll get the ball rolling
towards a happier, healthier you.
I hope this has helped a
little! Also - find people in real life to connect to, who have the same
outlook on life, similar hobbies, similar goals, etc. People need people
:-)
All best, Laurie
Jun 24, 2009 8:48 PM
Guest :
I'm surprised Laurie hasn't mentioned 'Ambiverts' in response to people
struggling with teh 'either or' side of extraversion and introversion.
Current research suggests we are both (hense 'ambi'), but may have a
stronger preferene towards one than another (they are all three on the same
'factor' or 'dimension' that is called (unhelpfully popularised thanks to
the unhealthy mind of Freud) Extraversion). Extraverts get bad press
thanks to both a popular myth (you have to be extraverted to be a leader,
read any 20th century book on leadership styles and someone will have made
that comment!) and the fact that a part of extreme extraversion as a trait
is teh need to be 'in control of people of things' - however having a
motivation to 'be teh boss' does not mark people out to be a good leader,
as some pople have commented on here, they can be crap if their moral
compass is off!
Jul 12, 2009 3:08 AM
Guest :
I’m both introverted and an extrovert. I think entirely too much for most
people. Yet more recently I’m afraid to be extroverted. People (in general)
say the older you get the more responsible you need to be, that and making
some comments is intolerable. As the main provider to my family I cant take
time out for me to be as extrovert as I’d like to be. I’ve always expected
help and have received less over the years. I have realized I need to do
for my self instead of hoping for help. Yet I feel I’m depressed and can’t
make any life changes. Perhaps I procrastinate and always look for an
excuse, perhaps I’m afraid of the future and cant make a choice on my own.
Little support and feel trapped, always looking for an answer but there
always seems to be a catch.
Oct 13, 2009 5:24 AM
Guest :
Thanks a lot for all your comments on the Big Five Traits but the
information on the "cancer" bit caught my attention most! I am
an individual that is struggling with this issue. My whole body is massed
in toxins that neither the doctors nor I, are able to explain the origin of
these toxins. Now that I have found a clue to all this mess, please advise
what I should do in order to free myself from this. I have been denied the
beauty of living and functioning normally. Your advice is highly
anticipated.
Oct 14, 2009 9:24 PM
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :
Hi,
I’m sorry to hear about your health and the toxins in your
body. It must be especially confusing and frustrating because the doctors
don’t seem to know how they originated!
Unfortunately, I don’t
have any suggestions for physically freeing yourself from those toxins.
But, if you need information on emotional healing, I can help with that!
I wrote a post for my Psychology blog that lists a few articles
about emotional healing. To read that post, just click on my name in blue
at the top of this page, then click on "Read Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen's
blog" on the right side. Scroll down to “Resources for Emotional
Healing” – you’ll also find it in the Sept, 2009 section on the side panel.
