Big Five Personality Test

You have just completed assessing yourself with 100 phrases. Our systems have compared your-self-ratings to those of thousands of other people. You are being compared to men and women of all ages. This means that if you are young, your scores on neuroticism will be higher and on agreeableness and conscientiousness will be lower than if you were compared to people of your own age (with the reverse being true for older individuals). For men, their scores on agreeableness and on neuroticism will be lower than if they were just being compared to men. We decided to make the comparisons simple, so that you know where you stand in comparison to the typical person (with age and sex regarded as irrelevant).

Here are your results: You will see below where you stand in comparison to others in the general population on the major traits and their aspects:

Remember that each personality trait and aspect (and your relative position with respect to them) has advantages and disadvantages. It is for that reason that variation exists in the human population: there is a niche for each personality configuration. Much of what constitutes success in life is therefore the consequence of finding the place in relationships, work and personal commitment that corresponds to your unique personality structure. Good luck with your expanded self-understanding!

Note also that if you find that the descriptions harsher than you might consider appropriate this may mean that you were more self-critical than necessary when completing the questions (remember, the results are based on your own self-report, compared to that of others). This can occur if you were feeling temporarily or chronically unhappy or anxious, or hungry, angry or judgmental when you completed the questions.

 

Agreeableness: Low

You are low in agreeableness, which is the primary dimension of Interpersonal interaction in the Big Five personality trait scientific model. Agreeableness has two aspects: compassion and politeness, which will be explained separately. Agreeableness is a very complex trait, with marked positive and negative elements all along its distribution. Because of this, higher scores and lower scores need to be explained at the same time.

People high in agreeableness are nice: compliant, nurturing, kind, naively trusting and conciliatory. However, because of their tendency to avoid conflict, they often dissemble and hide what they think. People low in agreeableness are not so nice: stubborn, dominant, harsh, skeptical, competitive and, in the extreme, even predatory. However, they tend to be straightforward, even blunt, so you know where they stand.

Your score puts you at the 11th percentile for agreeableness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be less agreeable than 88 of them and more agreeable than 11 of them.

Agreeableness

11th percentile

 

You are less agreeable than 88 of 100 people

People with low levels of agreeableness are seen by others as competitive, colder, tougher and less empathic. They are less likely to look for the best in others, and are not particularly tolerant (an attitude that is much valued by agreeable people). They are less concerned about the emotional state of others, are willing to engage in conflict, and will sacrifice peace and harmony to make a point or (if conscientious) to get things done. People find them straightforward, even blunt. They strongly tend towards dominance rather than submission (particularly if also below average in neuroticism).

People with low levels of agreeableness are not forgiving, accepting, flexible, gentle or patient. They don’t easily feel pity for those who are excluded, punished or defeated. It is also difficult for them to be taken advantage of by disagreeable, manipulative or otherwise troublesome people, or those with criminal or predatory intent. Their skepticism plays a protective role, although it can sometimes interfere with their ability to cooperate with or trust others whose intentions are genuinely good. They also be less likely to reward good behavior or to give credit where it is due. They can cooperate, when cooperation is in their interest, but very much appreciate competition, with its clear losers and winners. They will not easily lose arguments (or avoid discussions) with less agreeable people, and can enjoy the battle. They are generally good at bargaining for themselves, or at negotiating for more recognition or power and are likely to have higher salaries and to earn more money, in consequence. People low in agreeableness are therefore less likely to suffer from resentment or to harbour invisible anger. In addition, because of their tendency to engage in conflict, when necessary, people low in agreeableness people tend not to sacrifice medium- to long-term stability and function for the sake of short-term peace. This means that problems that should be solved in the present are often solved, and do not accumulate counterproductively across time, although people close to those low in agreeableness may experience them as overbearing.

Women are higher in agreeableness than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 61.5. For men it is 38.5. The fact that men are lower in agreeableness than women helps explain their much higher rates of criminal incarceration (90% male). The primary difference between criminals and non-criminals is disagreeableness. If the typical criminal is more disagreeable than 98% of people in the general population, then almost all those criminals will be male. This difference in agreeableness between men and women is largest in countries such as Norway and Sweden, where the most has been done to ensure equality of outcome between the sexes. This provides strong evidence that biological factors rather than environment and learning account for the dissimilarity.

Agreeableness, per se, is not strongly associated with political liberalism or conservatism, but this is because the aspects of agreeableness predict such political belief in opposite ways, and cancel each other out. Liberals are higher in aspect compassion, and conservatives in aspect politeness. However, alliance with the category of belief that has come to be known as politically correct is strongly predicted by agreeableness (particularly compassion). What this appears to mean is that agreeable people strongly identify with those they deem oppressed, seeing them, essentially, as exploited infants, and demonize those they see as oppressors, seeing them as cruel, heartless predators.

There are large differences between men and women in terms of spontaneous interest, and these also appear associated with agreeableness. Agreeable people, caring as they do for others, are more likely to enter professions associated with people, such as teaching and nursing, which are dominated by women. This is true even in the Scandinavian countries, where attempts to produce gender-equal societies has reached a maximum. Disagreeable people, by contrast, appear to prefer systematizing over empathizing, and are more interested in things – machines and technology. In consequence, professions such as engineering and trades associated with construction and machinery tend to be dominated by relatively disagreeable men.

Agreeableness has two aspects: compassion and politeness.

 

Compassion: Very Low

You are very low in compassion, which is one aspect of Agreeableness. Your score puts you at the 10th percentile for compassion. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be less compassionate than 89 of them and more compassionate than 10 of them.

Very much less compassionate people are not oriented towards the problems of other people or other living things. They are not swayed by helplessness or cuteness. They are very willing to make other people experience negative emotion by engaging in conflict and competition. They want to win, and will engage in the confrontation necessary to do so. They are very much less concerned about helping other people. They make certain their own needs and interests are attended to, and are markedly unwilling to sacrifice for the sake of other people’s comfort. This can make them both harsh and unsympathetic. People might turn to them for the cold, hard truth, but not for a soft, patient, eternally-listening ear. They are very much less empathetic and caring. However, because they are not primarily other-oriented, they negotiate very effectively on their own behalf, and are likely to get at least what they deserve and perhaps more (for their hard work, for example). In consequence, they are unlikely to harbor feelings of resentment or hidden anger.

Compassion

10th percentile

 

You are less compassionate than 89 of 100 people

Those who are liberal, politically, score somewhat higher in compassion than conservatives.

Women are also higher in compassion than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 61. For men it is 39.

 

Politeness: Low

You are low in politeness, which is one aspect of Agreeableness. Your score puts you at the 21st percentile for politeness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be less polite than 78 of them and more polite than 21 of them.

People who are low in politeness are not deferential to authority – nor are they obedient. They can be respectful, but only to people who clearly deserve and demand it, and they are markedly willing to push back when challenged. They are not particularly uncomfortable confronting other people. People low in politeness are not motivated to avoid conflict, or to steer clear of conflict or fights. They may find themselves quite frequently in trouble with authority. Their skepticism may make it difficult for them to find a place in the middle or lower in hierarchies of power and dominance. They tend strongly to be dominant, rather than submissive (particularly if they are also low in neuroticism).

Politeness

21st percentile

 

You are less polite than 78 of 100 people

Those who are liberal, politically, score somewhat lower in politeness than conservatives (the opposite pattern is seen with compassion).

Women are higher in politeness than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 59. For men it is 41.

 

Conscientiousness: High

You are high in conscientiousness, which is the primary dimension of dutiful achievement in the Big Five personality trait scientific model. Conscientiousness is a measure of obligation, attention to detail, hard work, persistence, cleanliness, efficiency and adherence to rules, standards and processes. Conscientious people implement their plans and establish and maintain order.

Your score puts you at the 85th percentile for conscientiousness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more conscientious than 85 of them and less conscientious than 14 of them.

People high in conscientiousness are dutiful. They slog away until the work is done. They work hard and dislike wasting time. They are unlikely to procrastinate (particularly if they are also below average in neuroticism). If a highly conscientious person promises to do something, he or she will probably do it, even in troubled circumstances, without excuses. They are decisive, neat, organized, future-oriented, reliable and not easily distracted.

Conscientiousness

85th percentile

 

You are more conscientious than 85 of 100 people

Highly conscientious people are likely to obtain higher grades in academic settings (particularly if they are also intelligent), and make good administrators and managers. They need to have everything in its proper place, and tend to be concerned with detail. They want to do things by the book. Highly conscientious people can be prone to guilt (although they are likely to organize their lives so that they have little to feel guilty about). Highly conscientious people are also susceptible to shame, self-disgust and self-contempt.

Individuals who are highly conscientious can react badly to failure (particularly if they are also above average in neuroticism). They are judgemental and easily disgusted by their own moral transgressions, as well as those of others. They suffer shame and guilt when unemployed or otherwise unoccupied, even when that occurs through no fault of their own. Highly conscientious people are also fundamentally committed to personal responsibility. They tend to be convinced that those who work hard should and will be rewarded, and that those who don’t deserve their failure. They are more concerned than average with hygiene, moral purity and achievement. They can tend towards micro-management and control.

Highly conscientious people are more likely to be political conservatives, rather than liberal (particularly if they are also low in openness).

Women are very slightly more conscientious than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 51.5. For men it is 49.5.

Conscientiousness has two aspects: industriousness and orderliness.

 

Industriousness: High

You are high in industriousness, which is one aspect of conscientiousness. Your score puts you at the 82nd percentile for industriousness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more industrious than 82 of them and less industrious than 17 of them.

Highly industrious people are likely to be successful in school and in administrative and managerial positions (particularly if they are intelligent). They value work highly and typically want to be doing something useful. They are dutiful, and tend not to put things off. They do not often mess things up. They always finish what they start, and they do it on schedule. They are frequently figuring out how to accomplish more in less time, with fewer resources. They have focus.

Industriousness

82nd percentile

 

You are more industrious than 82 of 100 people

Highly industrious people are also likely to judge shirkers or people who are incompetent quite harshly, and to want them out of the way. They are likely to believe that people fail because they don’t apply themselves or work hard enough. They feel guilty, rapidly, if they do not do their duty. However, because they typically stay on or ahead of schedule and accept their responsibilities, they rarely experience actual guilt.

Those who are liberal and those who are conservatives appear equally industrious.

Men are slightly more industrious than women. The mean percentile for men in a general population (women and men) is 51.5. For women it is 49.5.

 

Orderliness: High

You are high in orderliness, which is one aspect of conscientiousness. Your score puts you at the 80th percentile for orderliness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more orderly than 80 of them and less orderly than 19 of them.

Highly orderly people tend to be disturbed and disgusted by mess and chaos. They keep everything tidy and organized. They tend to think in more black and white terms: things are good or bad, acceptable or unacceptable, with little room for grey areas. They make, like and stick to schedules. They want everything where it should be – and want to make sure it stays where it belongs. They are detail-oriented. They are rule-abiding, and tend to insist that rules are observed. They can be judgmental towards themselves and others if and when rules are broken or procedures ignored. They do not like to be without routine and predictability. They can be good at ensuring that complex sensitive processes are managed properly and carefully.

Orderliness

80th percentile

 

You are more orderly than 80 of 100 people

Excessive orderliness can also constrain creativity (even among those high in openness) as creative endeavours often require mess, disruption and intervening periods of chaos.

Those who are highly orderly are also more likely to be political conservatives. Orderliness is the second-best predictor of conservatism, after openness to experience.

Women are more orderly than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 54.5. For men it is 45.5. This may account for some of the trouble in relation to housework between women and men. Since women are, on average, more orderly, household disorder will trigger disgust and discomfort in them faster. This may happen with sufficient frequency so they end up doing a disproportionate share of such work (even though if they waited a bit longer their less orderly partners, often men, might end up equally troubled and motivated to fix the problem). Orderly people are more likely to have items such as event calendars, drawer organizers, laundry baskets, irons and ironing boards in their immediate environments.

 

Extraversion: Moderately Low

You are moderately low in extraversion, which is the primary dimension of positive emotion in the Big Five personality trait scientific model. You could also think of yourself as moderately high in introversion. Extraversion is a measure of general sensitivity to positive emotions such as hope, joy, anticipation and approach, particularly in social situations.

Your score puts you at the 34th percentile for extraversion. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be less extraverted than 65 of them and more extraverted than 34 of them.

People with moderately low levels of extraversion are not particularly enthusiastic, talkative, assertive in social situations, or gregarious. They tend to find excessive social contact draining and tiring, and crave time alone to recharge. They are less likely to plan parties, tell jokes, make people laugh, or volunteer for community activities. They are somewhat more likely to be depressed and to have lower levels of self-esteem (particularly if they are high in neuroticism). They are less optimistic about the past, present and future.

Extraversion

34th percentile

 

You are less extraverted than 65 of 100 people

People who are moderately low in extraversion find it relatively easy to keep things to themselves. They are not compelled to share everything with everyone. They are not particularly self-disclosing and do not warm up quickly to other people. They are more comfortable with one-to-one interactions than in a group-oriented situation. They are rarely the first to speak in meetings, although they will express an opinion if asked. They are less likely to captivate and convince, and will rarely be the first to act in an ambiguous situation.

People who are moderately low in extraversion are better suited to occupations that require work alone or with a few other well-known individuals (such as computer programming or accounting). Jobs involving sales, persuasion, work in groups and public speaking are unlikely to appeal to them, and they are less likely to be successful at such things (particularly if they are also high in neuroticism).

People moderately low in extraversion are relatively unlikely to be impulsive, even when offered the opportunity to do something exciting or fun. They are therefore less likely to sacrifice the future to the present, when something social or group-oriented beckons. They find it relatively easy to be alone to study and work. They are not easily distracted by opportunities to chat, joke and socialize. This is particularly the case if they are also high in conscientiousness. However, when people are introverted and conscientious, they are less productive than when extraverted and conscientiousness, perhaps because they have lower levels of energy. When introverted and comparatively unconscientiousness, however, they are more productive than when extraverted and unconscientious.

People moderately low in extraversion tend to be less dominant in social situations, particularly if they are also low in agreeableness. Less agreeable extraverts tend to be self-centered – something that can be made worse if they are also low in conscientiousness. More introverted people are somewhat protected against such tendencies.

Those who are politically liberal are slightly less extraverted than conservatives.

Women are slightly more extraverted than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 52. For men it is 48.

Extraversion has two aspects: Enthusiasm and Assertiveness.

 

Enthusiasm: Very Low

You are very low in enthusiasm, which is one aspect of extraversion. Your score puts you at the 8th percentile for enthusiasm. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be less enthusiastic than 91 of them and more enthusiastic than 8 of them.

Individuals who are very low in enthusiasm are quiet and un-excitable. They can be very hard to get to know, as they are not at all chatty or bubbly. When they do talk – and they do so comparatively rarely – it tends to be about things in which they find exceptional interest. They open up to other people with difficulty, particularly in larger social gatherings or parties. They laugh very much less frequently than others. They typically prefer solitude and find it difficult to enjoy themselves around other people. At most, they can handle social contact in small doses. They are private people, on the loner side of the distribution, and tend not to be positive or optimistic. They actively avoid the spotlight and, if creative, may find performing very much less desirable, even draining. They very rarely seek out stimulation, excitement, activity or fun (and, if they do so, much prefer quieter activities). People very low in enthusiasm are solitary, finding it uncommonly difficult to generate a felt sense of excitement when offered the opportunity to engage in something that others might find engaging or entertaining.

Enthusiasm

8th percentile

 

You are less enthusiastic than 91 of 100 people

Enthusiasm is not strongly associated with political preference, either conservative or liberal.

Women are higher in enthusiasm than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 55. For men it is 45.

 

Assertiveness: Moderately High

You are moderately high in assertiveness, which is one aspect of extraversion. Your score puts you at the 73rd percentile for assertiveness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more assertive than 73 of them and less assertive than 26 of them.

Moderately assertive people are more “take charge” types. They put their own opinions forward, and are somewhat likely to dominate and control social situations. They can be influential and captivating. They have the communication style that is more often associated with leadership. This is good when they are knowledgeable, competent and able, but less good when they aren’t. Moderately assertive people tend to be more action-oriented. They are less likely to wait for others to lead the way. Now and then they might be impulsive, in consequence, acting too quickly, without thinking.

Assertiveness

73rd percentile

 

You are more assertive than 73 of 100 people

Liberals tend to be slightly less assertive than conservatives.

Women are slightly less assertive than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 48. For men it is 52.

 

Neuroticism: Typical or Average

You have typical levels of neuroticism, which is the primary dimension of negative emotion in the Big Five personality trait scientific model. Neuroticism is a measure of general sensitivity to negative emotions such as pain, sadness, irritable or defensive anger, fear and anxiety.

Your score puts you at the 50th percentile for neuroticism. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be higher in neuroticism than 50 of them and lower in neuroticism than 49 of them.

People with typical or average levels of neuroticism have a balanced view of the happiness and sadness of the past, present and future. Sometimes they are unhappy, anxious and irritable, particularly when facing a genuine problem, but they generally cope well and don’t worry too much.

Neuroticism

50th percentile

 

You are higher in neuroticism than 50 of 100 people

They have normal levels of self-esteem, particularly when they are also average or above average in extraversion. They are not particularly at risk for developing anxiety disorders and depression.

People with average or typical levels of neuroticism are able to experience the consequences of success and to be appropriately satisfied in relationships and career. Average levels of neuroticism are associated with no more than average concern about mental and physical health, a typical number of physician and emergency room visits, and an expected degree of absenteeism at work and at school (unless accompanied by very low levels of conscientiousness).

People with average levels of neuroticism appear to neither seek risk out, nor avoid it. They are interested in security, but can also handle recreational, career, financial and social situations where the possibility of loss is higher. Such people appear to be concerned both with maintaining their current status, as well as enhancing it. This is a reasonable strategy in genuinely dangerous or uncertain times and better times alike.

Neuroticism is not a powerful predictor of political belief, either conservative or liberal.

Females tend to be higher in neuroticism than males. The typical woman is higher in neuroticism than 60% of the general population of men and women combined. In part, this may be why women report more unhappiness in their relationships, at work, in school and with their health than men, on average, and why women initiate 70% of all divorces. This difference in neuroticism between men and women appears to emerge at puberty. It is largest in countries such as Norway and Sweden, where the most has been done to ensure equality of outcome between the sexes. This provides strong evidence that biological factors rather than environment and learning account for the dissimilarity.

Trait neuroticism is made up of the aspects withdrawal and volatility.

 

Withdrawal: Typical or Average

You are typical or average in withdrawal, which is one aspect of neuroticism. Your score puts you at the 41st percentile for withdrawal. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be higher in withdrawal than 41 of them and lower in withdrawal than 58 of them.

Individuals average in withdrawal may occasionally suffer from anticipatory anxiety, but are generally not impeded by it. They can handle new, uncertain, unexpected, threatening or complex situations quite well. They are not more likely to avoid or withdraw in the face of the unknown and unexpected.

People with average levels of withdrawal sometimes feel sad, lonesome, disappointed and grief-stricken, but not too deeply, and not for too long. They experience normal levels of doubt and worry, embarrassment, self-consciousness and discouragement in the face of threat and punishment. They are reasonably but not excessively sensitive to social rejection, and don’t feel hurt too easily. Even when hurt, frightened, or anxious, they can recover in a reasonable amount of time. People with typical levels of withdrawal are not particularly concerned that something bad is going to happen. Technically, withdrawal has been associated with activity in the brain systems that regulate passive avoidance.

Withdrawal

41st percentile

 

You are higher in withdrawal than 41 of 100 people

Those who are liberal, politically, are slightly higher in withdrawal than conservatives.

Women are higher in withdrawal than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 60. For men it is 40.

 

Volatility: Typical or Average

You are typical or average in volatility, which is one aspect of neuroticism. Your puts you at the 58th percentile for volatility. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be more volatile than 58 of them and less volatile than 41 of them.

Individuals average in volatility tend to not to vary abnormally in their mood. They are not particularly irritable, and feel no more than typical levels of disappointment, frustration, pain and social isolation. They express their frustration, disappointment and irritability reasonably and not excessively often. Even when stirred up and upset or angry or irritated, they calm down relatively quickly. They are no more argumentative than average and infrequently lose their composure.

If provoked in a dispute, a person of average volatility may react in kind (particularly if also low in agreeableness). However, such people generally remain calm and unperturbed, even when stressed. Volatile people tend to get upset if something bad does happen, while people high in withdrawal (the other aspect of neuroticism) tend to be concerned that something bad might happen. Technically, volatility has been associated with activity in the brain systems that regulate fight, flight or freeze.

Volatility

58th percentile

 

You are more volatile than 58 of 100 people

Volatility is not strongly related to political preference, either liberal or conservative.

Women are higher in volatility than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 57.5. For men it is 42.5.

 

Openness to Experience: Moderately Low

You are moderately low in openness to experience, which is the primary dimension of creativity, artistic interest and intelligence (particularly verbal intelligence) in the Big Five personality trait scientific model. Openness to experience is a measure of interest in novelty, art, literature, abstract thinking, philosophy as well as sensitivity to aesthetic emotions and beauty.

Your score puts you at the 27th percentile for openness to experience. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be lower in openness to experience than 72 of them and higher in openness to experience than 27 of them.

People with moderately low levels of openness to experience tend to be more conventional, conservative people. They are less known for their curiosity or interest in novelty or change. They tend to be comparatively disinterested in learning, particularly for its own sake, and tend to stick with what they know.

Openness to Experience

27th percentile

 

You are lower in openness to experience than 72 of 100 people

They do not typically engage in prolonged abstract thinking, and seldom consider philosophical issues, such as the meaning of belief systems and ideologies. They do not find it necessary to attend cultural events such as movies, concerts, dance recitals, plays, poetry readings, gallery openings and art shows, although they may do such things on occasion. They are less likely to enjoy writing, and tend to stay away from complex problems and abstract ideas.

They read somewhat less than the typical person, and tend to stick to more mainstream material when they do so. They have a narrower range of interests, and a more conventional vocabulary. They can think abstractly and learn when necessary, but are less intrinsically interested in doing so. They come up with new ideas relatively infrequently, and may sometimes have difficulty getting their thoughts across to others (particularly if they average or below in extraversion). People moderately lower in openness tend to stay on the beaten path, and find satisfaction in the tried-and-true (particularly if they are high in orderliness). They tend more often to avoid difficult intellectual problems or challenges.

People moderately low in openness to experience can often adapt well to situations or occupations that are more routinized and predictable. Because of this, they have less trouble fitting in at the bottom of hierarchies. They can be better suited than those who are more open to entry-level, repetitive, rote positions, because they are rarely compelled to think up new ways to do things. It is not common for them to be considered creative or revolutionary thinkers. In consequence, they rarely shake things up, particularly if they are also agreeable and less assertive.

Individuals moderately low in openness to experience tend to be less entrepreneurial in spirit and more appreciative of conventional employment (particularly if average or above in conscientiousness). They have less interest in creating new ventures, whether for profit, curiosity, or personal transformation. At least moderately high levels of openness to experience appear necessary to the formation and leadership of business and other forms of complex organization, although conscientiousness appears required for the attention to detail and process management that such organizations also always need.

People moderately lower in openness to experience tend to have a narrower, more focused range of interests. This makes it somewhat easier for them to settle on a single path in life, to specialize to a necessary degree, and to create an integrated identity (unless they are very high or above in neuroticism and/or very low or below in conscientiousness). People moderately lower in openness less frequently undermine their own convictions or beliefs by excessive questioning (particularly if they are average or below in neuroticism). They tend not to be intellectual rebels, revolutionaries or protestors.

Openness to experience is the dimension that best predicts political allegiance (with conscientiousness, particularly the aspect of orderliness, coming in at second place). Those who are liberal, politically, are very much more likely to be high in openness to experience than conservatives.

Women and men differ very little in openness to experience at the trait level, although there are differences in the aspect levels.

Trait openness to experience is made up of the aspects of intellect and openness.

 

Intellect: Moderately High

Note: Do not confuse the personality aspect of Intellect with IQ. Intellect is a measure of interest in abstract ideas, essentially, while IQ is a measure of processing speed, verbal ability, working memory, and problem solving capacity, and is better measured with a formal IQ test. It is perfectly possible to have a high IQ and a low score on the personality trait of Intellect (or the reverse).

You are moderately high in intellect, which is one aspect of openness to experience. Your score puts you at the 67th percentile for intellect. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be higher in intellect than 67 of them and lower in intellect than 32 of them.

People moderately high in intellect tend to be quite interested in ideas and abstract concepts. They often enjoy being confronted with novel information, even when it is complex. They tend to be more curious and exploratory than average, and frequently like to tackle and solve problems. They will actively engage in issue-oriented discussions, and tend to read idea-centered books (most frequently non-fiction). They tend to be quite articulate and can formulate ideas reasonably clearly and quickly (particularly if average or higher in extraversion). They have a wider vocabulary, and like to learn new things. People moderately high in intellect will seek out and generate novel, creative concepts and actively find and adapt well to new experience and situations.

Intellect

67th percentile

 

You are higher in intellect than 67 of 100 people

People moderately high in intellect tend to find complex, rapidly changing occupations to their liking and are likely to do well at them (particularly if they are also high in conscientiousness and low in neuroticism). However, they are less well-suited to stable, straightforward and more traditional occupations, where the rules don't change, and are likely to experience frequent periods of boredom in such positions.

Liberals are higher in intellect than conservatives (although the biggest difference between the two is openness to experience at the trait level).

Women are lower than men in intellect (although not in IQ). This is probably a difference in interest: people high in intellect, compared to openness, are more likely to prefer the sciences to the arts. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 45. For men it is 55.

 

Openness: Very Low

You are very low in openness, which is one aspect of openness to experience. Your score puts you at the 7th percentile for openness. If you were one of 100 people in a room, you would be lower in openness than 92 of them and higher in openness than 7 of them.

The closest synonym for openness (rather than openness to experience, which encompasses openness and intellect) is creativity. People very low in openness or creativity do not find beauty important, and will generally not even notice it. They don’t require or request an outlet for their creative ability, and can live without concern without such activity. They don’t care for art or crafts, and are insensitive to color and architectural form. They are almost never collectors. They are very much less imaginative, much more rarely daydream and reflect strikingly less often than average. If they enjoy music or other art forms, they stick to what is conventional and popular, and almost never stray outside their preferred genre. They are very much less often musical or artistic themselves (both of these are rare in the general population). They rarely become immersed in a book, or a movie, or in their own thoughts.

Openness

7th percentile

 

You are lower in openness than 92 of 100 people

People of very low openness tend to be uncommonly stable and conventional (particularly if they are also average or above in conscientiousness). At least moderate levels of openness tend to be necessary for entrepreneurial success, and prove comparatively useful at the top of hierarchies, even in very conservative occupations such as banking, accounting and law, which need creative people in leadership positions to provide new vision and direction.

Liberals are higher in openness than conservatives (although the biggest difference between the two is openness to experience, at the trait level).

Women are higher in openness than men. The mean percentile for women in a general population (women and men) is 56.5. For men it is 44.5.