CH A PT E R

1 Introduction

Thomas A. Widiger

Abstract
This book concerns the Five Factor Model (FFM) of general personality structure. It brings together
much of the research literature on the FFM and demonstrates its potential applications across a wide
range of disciplines and concerns. The book is organized into four sections: the first section explores
the FFM and its domains, the second focuses on matters and issues concerning the construct validity
of the FFM, the third discusses applications of the FFM to a variety of social and clinical issues, and
the fourth summarizes the book’s interesting points and considers potential implications. Topics range
from Neuroticism and Extraversion to Openness, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness. The book
also considers the universality of the FFM, the factor analytic support, childhood temperament and
personality, animal personality, behavior and molecular genetics, personality neuroscience, personality
disorders, adult psychopathology, and child psychopathology.
Key Words: Five Factor Model, personality structure, Neuroticism, Extraversion, Conscientiousness,
childhood temperament, animal personality, molecular genetics, personality neuroscience, personality
disorders

John, Naumann, and Soto (2008) asserted, in
their chapter within the widely cited text edited
by John, Robins, and Pervin (2008) on personality
theory and research, that “after decades of research,
the field has now achieved an initial consensus on a
general taxonomy of personality traits, the ‘Big Five’
personality dimensions” (p. 116). This proclamation
was perhaps overstated. Few areas of psychology can
be said to have achieved consensus within an area
of investigation that was once dominated by criti-
cal debate and sharp dispute. Even within this text,
we will observe arguments and findings inconsistent
with the Big Five perspective. Unanimity of opinion,
and perhaps even an established consensus, may not
really be achievable. But that is to be expected, if
not embraced. Scientific research is driven largely by
differences of opinion and ongoing debate (Popper,
1963), and the structure of personality remains a
richly productive line of investigation.
Nevertheless, consistent with the assertion of
John, Naumann, et al. (2008), it does seem clearly
evident that the Five Factor Model (FFM) of gen-
eral personality structure has a singular strength and
predominance within psychology. There are many
reasons for this recognition. One is that the FFM
has been richly successful in providing an integrative
trait model. Its ready accommodation of the other
predominant models of personality allows it not to
compete with these models. As expressed by John,
Naumann, et al. (2008), “rather than replacing all
previous systems, the Big Five taxonomy serves an
integrative function because it can represent the
various and diverse systems of personality descrip-
tion in a common framework” (p.  116). We can
recover and conceptualize most alternative dimen-
sional trait models within the FFM (O’Connor,
2002, 2005; John, Naumann, et al., 2008; McCrae
& Costa, 2003). We can also move higher up in the