Prepare for the MCAT Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The Big 5 Model of Traits, also known as the Five Factor Model, encompasses five broad personality traits that are widely recognized in psychological research. These traits are openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Each trait represents a spectrum of behaviors and characteristics that can describe an individual's personality.

  • Openness refers to the willingness to engage with new experiences and ideas, often linked to creativity and curiosity.
  • Conscientiousness involves being organized, dependable, and disciplined, reflecting a person's ability to control impulses and take obligations seriously.
  • Extraversion relates to the extent to which an individual is outgoing, social, and energetic, as opposed to being reserved or solitary.
  • Agreeableness describes a person's tendency toward cooperation, social harmony, and consideration for others, in contrast to being competitive or antagonistic.
  • Neuroticism involves the propensity to experience negative emotions such as anxiety, depression, and moodiness, indicating a degree of emotional instability.

This model is foundational in psychology for understanding personality differences and has significant implications for various aspects of human behavior, mental health, and interpersonal relationships.