Skip to main content
. 2003 Oct;2(3):131–135.

Table 2.

Description of the five factor model of general personality functioning (adapted from Widiger et al [33])

Neuroticism versus emotional stability
Anxiousness: wary, apprehensive, tense, fearful versus relaxed, unconcerned, cool
Angry hostility: hypersensitive, bitter, angry, rageful versus even-tempered, good-natured
Depressiveness: worried, pessimistic, despondent versus not easily discouraged, optimistic
Self-consciousness: timid, embarrassed, ashamed versus self-assured, glib, shameless
Impulsivity: tempted, urgent, dyscontrolled versus controlled, restrained
Vulnerability: fragile, helpless, panicked versus stalwart, unflappable, brave, fearless
Extraversion versus introversion
Warmth: warm, cordial, attached, affectionate, loving versus cold, aloof, indifferent
Gregariousness: sociable, outgoing, can’t tolerate aloneness versus withdrawn, isolated
Assertiveness: forceful, dominant, bossy versus unassuming, quiet, resigned
Activity: active, energetic, frantic versus inactive, passive, lethargic
Excitement-seeking: daring, reckless, foolhardy versus cautious, monotonous, dull
Positive emotions: high-spirited, giddy, euphoric versus serious, austere, placid, anhedonic
Openness versus closedness to experience
Fantasy: imaginative, unrealistic, dreamer versus practical, concrete, sterile
Aesthetic: aesthetic, aberrant, preoccupied versus unappreciative, no interests
Feelings: aware, responsive, preoccupied versus constricted, alexythymic
Actions: open, exotic, unconventional versus routine, repetitive, monotonous
Ideas: creative, odd, peculiar, aberrant versus pragmatic, realistic, closed-minded
Values: broad-minded, permissive versus traditional, inflexible, dogmatic
Agreeableness versus antagonism
Trust: trusting, naive, gullible versus skeptical, cynical, suspicious, paranoid
Straightforwardness: honest, open, confiding versus shrewd, cunning, manipulative, deceptive
Altruism: generous, self-sacrificing versus stingy, selfish, greedy, exploitative
Compliance: cooperative, docile, meek versus oppositional, combative, aggressive
Modesty: humble, self-effacing, self-denigrating versus confident, boastful, arrogant
Tender-mindedness: kind, empathic, gentle, soft-hearted versus tough, callous, ruthless
Conscientiousness versus undependability
Competence: able, efficient, perfectionistic versus relaxed, carefree, lax, negligent
Order: organized, ordered, methodical versus intuitive, haphazard, sloppy
Dutifulness: dependable, principled, rigid versus casual, undependable, unethical
Achievement: ambitious, diligent, workaholic versus relaxed, aimless, desultory
Self-discipline: devoted, dogged, single-minded versus indulgent, hedonistic, negligent
Deliberation: reflective, circumspect, ruminative versus intuitive, hasty, careless, rash