The Five-Factor Personality Model (FFM) is a widely accepted and empirically-supported approach to understanding human personality. This model proposes that personality is organized around five distinct factors: Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Openness to Experience (Costa & McCrae, 1992).
Extraversion is characterized by traits such as enthusiasm, assertiveness, and sociability. Agreeableness is characterized by traits such as trust, altruism, and sympathy. Conscientiousness is characterized by traits such as responsibility, self-discipline, and organization. Neuroticism is characterized by traits such as anxiety, depression, and vulnerability. Openness to Experience is characterized by traits such as curiosity, imagination, and appreciation of beauty.
The FFM has been found to be highly reliable across cultures and contexts (McCrae & Costa, 1997). This model has also been found to be associated with a number of different outcomes including academic performance, job performance, health, and satisfaction with life (Barrick & Mount, 1991; De Fruyt, McCrae, & De Fruyt, 1997; Judge & Ilies, 2004; McAdams & Pals, 2006).
Overall, the FFM is a robust and empirically-supported approach to understanding personality. This model has been found to be reliable across contexts and cultures, and has been associated with a number of important outcomes. Future research should continue to explore the utility of this model and its potential applications.
References
Barrick, M. R., & Mount, M. K. (1991). The Big Five personality dimensions and job performance: A meta-analysis. Personnel Psychology, 44, 1-26.
Costa, P. T., & McCrae, R. R. (1992). Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) and NEO Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) professional manual. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.
De Fruyt, F., McCrae, R. R., & De Fruyt, F. (1997). Personality traits as predictors of academic outcomes: Evidence from seven countries. Journal of Applied Psychology, 82, 490-502.
Judge, T. A., & Ilies, R. (2004). Relationship of personality to performance motivation: A metaanalytic review. Journal of Applied Psychology, 89, 707-717.
McCrae, R. R., & Costa, P. T. (1997). Conceptions and correlates of openness to experience. In R. Hogan, J. Johnson, and S. Briggs (Eds.), Handbook of personality psychology (pp. 825-847). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
McAdams, D. P., & Pals, J. L. (2006). A new big five: Fundamental principles for an integrative science of personality. American Psychologist, 61, 204-217.