Single Idea 19484

[catalogued under 18. Thought / B. Mechanics of Thought / 1. Psychology]

Full Idea

Psychologists have long thought that measuring on a scale of just five personality dimensions - agreeableness, extroversion, neuroticism, conscientiousness and openness to new experiences - can capture all human variations in behaviour and attitude.

Gist of Idea

Psychologists measure personality along five dimensions

Source

New Scientist writers (New Scientist articles [2013], 2015.06.13)

Book Reference

-: 'New Scientist magazine' [ 2013], p.11


A Reaction

Researchers are considering a sixth - called 'honesty-humility' - which is roughly how devious people are. The five mentioned here seem to be a well entrenched orthodoxy among professional psychologists. Is personality more superficial than character?