Which of the following was not part of the “Big 5” theory of personality?
A Selflessness
B Extroversion
C Openness
D Agreeableness
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is A Selflessness.
The “Big 5” theory of personality, also known as the Five-Factor Model (FFM), includes five broad dimensions of personality traits. These are:
- Extraversion: This trait reflects an individual’s tendency to be outgoing, energetic, and social. People high in extraversion tend to seek excitement and enjoy interacting with others, while those low in extraversion (introverts) prefer solitary activities and tend to avoid social situations.
- Openness to Experience: This dimension refers to the extent to which a person is imaginative, curious, and open-minded. High openness individuals tend to enjoy new experiences, creative activities, and abstract thinking. Low openness individuals may prefer routine, familiarity, and traditional thinking.
- Agreeableness: This trait reflects an individual’s tendency to be compassionate, cooperative, and willing to get along with others. People high in agreeableness are empathetic and tend to avoid conflict, while those low in agreeableness can be more competitive, skeptical, or less concerned with others’ feelings.
- Conscientiousness: This dimension measures how responsible, organized, and dependable a person is. Individuals high in conscientiousness tend to be disciplined, goal-oriented, and detail-focused, while those low in conscientiousness may struggle with organization and prefer spontaneous activities.
- Neuroticism: This trait refers to the tendency to experience negative emotions, such as anxiety, depression, and vulnerability. People high in neuroticism are more likely to experience emotional instability, while those low in neuroticism are generally calm and emotionally resilient.
Selflessness, although a positive trait, does not fit into any of the Big 5 dimensions. It is related more to specific behaviors or values, rather than being a broad personality trait that can be measured along a spectrum like the Big 5 traits. Thus, it is not part of the Big 5 theory.