Measuring the Big Five Personality Dimensions of a Human Participant

PSY101 Psychological Testing

Measuring the Big Five Personality Dimensions of a Human Participant

Course: Psy101L

Section: 03

Researcher-

Ishtiaque Hossain Sajid

ID-1731485030

Supervisor-

Dr. Akib Ul Huque,

Department of History & Philosophy,

North South University

Date: 19/01/2021
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Table of Contents
Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... 3

Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 4

Objective of the Study ................................................................................................................ 5

Method ............................................................................................................................................ 5

Participant ................................................................................................................................... 5

Measures ..................................................................................................................................... 5

Procedure .................................................................................................................................... 6

Data processing and statistical analysis ...................................................................................... 7

Results ............................................................................................................................................. 7

Discussion ....................................................................................................................................... 8

References ....................................................................................................................................... 9

Appendix ....................................................................................................................................... 10

Study information Sheet ........................................................................................................... 10

Consent Form ............................................................................................................................ 11

Demographic Information Form ............................................................................................... 12

Filled-in BFI-10 ........................................................................................................................ 12

Data Sheet ................................................................................................................................. 13

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Abstract
Personality differs between individuals. One person might seem to have similarities with
another person in one aspect while differs a lot in another aspect. There are various ways of
assessing personality and finding an answer to why such happens. Trait approach suggests that
personality can be defined based on individual characteristics. Based on the trait approach to
personality, The Big 5 Model or Five-Factor Model has been developed. The theory behind the
model assumes that personality can be divided into 5 traits or characteristics. In this study a big
five inventory was used to assess the big 5 personality of human traits. The study aims to see
how the participant stands out based on the Big 5 theory. An adult male participant aged 22 years
was recruited to assess his big five personality. We used the “Zoom” platform to communicate
and ask about his preferences or choices from our sets of question. The personality profile of the
participant indicates that neuroticism is the dominant personality of the participant while the
other 4 personality, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness have moderate
impact.
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Introduction
Personality defines how a person behaves, thinks, perspectives and also feels. Just like
our fingerprint, each and every one of us has varying personality. Personality embraces moods,
attitudes, and opinions and is most clearly expressed in interactions with other people. It includes
behavioral characteristics, both inherent and acquired, that distinguish one person from another
and that can be observed in people’s relations to the environment and to the social group.
(Holzman, n.d.) However, psychologists have tried to define personality in some ways, have
tried to identify the core of why it differs from person to person.

Trait theory approach to personality stands out among them because of its more objective
and easier way of assessment. This approach assumes behavior is determined by relatively stable
traits which are the fundamental units of one’s personality. Traits predispose one to act in a
certain way, regardless of the situation. This means that traits should remain consistent across
situations and over time, but may vary between individuals. It is presumed that individuals differ
in their traits due to genetic differences. These theories are sometimes referred to a psychometric
theory, because of their emphasis on measuring personality by using psychometric tests. Trait
scores are continuous (quantitative) variables. A person is given a numeric score to indicate how
much of a trait they possess. (Mcleod, n.d.). Among the trait approach, the Big 5 theory proposes
that five basic dimensions underlie all others and encompass most of the significant variation in
human personality. Test scores of these traits do a very good job of predicting how people
behave in a variety of real-life situations and remain relatively stable for an individual over time,
with some daily variations. (Robbins, S. P., & Judge, T. A., 2018, p. 80)

The Big 5 factors are: Conscientiousness, which is a measure of reliability, Emotional

Stability or Neuroticism, taps a person’s ability to withstand stress, Extraversion, captures our
comfort level with relationships, Openness, addresses the range of a person’s interests and their
fascination with novelty, Agreeableness, refers to an individual’s propensity to defer to others.
(Robbins, S. P., & Judge, T. A., 2018, p. 80).

With the help of psychological tests one can understand which jobs are more suitable for
them, their strength and weaknesses in different environment. Counsels and Employers also do
such tests to understand the potential of applicants to better supervise and place them.
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Objective of the Study

The objective of the study was to measure and assess the Big Five personality dimensions
of an adult human participant.

Method
Participant
A Male participant aged 22 years with no physical, mental or cognitive disability was
recruited for this study.

Measures
We used the “Zoom” platform to contact with the participant. A link was generated, which
both the researcher and the participant used to join.

Participant Information Sheet (PIS) was used to notify the participant about the objective
and use of the testing.

Consent Form was needed to take the permission and consent from the participant to
conduct the study.

The Big Five inventory-10 (BFI-10) was used to conduct the test. The inventory is used to
assess the big 5 dimensions of human participant. It was developed by Beatrice Rammstedt and
Oliver P. John in the year 2007. There are 10 items in the inventory. Each of the 5 categories has
2 items, and for each item there are 5 options to answer from “Disagree Strongly” to “Agree
Strongly.”

Scoring

In the test, score of “1” indicates “Disagree Strongly,” “2” “Disagree a

little,” “3” “Neither agree nor disagree,” “4” “Agree a little” and “5” for “Agree
Strongly.” The results of question 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 were reversed while the other five
were used as is.

Reliability

Overall mean correlation between BFI-10 with BFI-44 scales was .83
meaning that the short version represents the full scale well.
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The BFI-10 scales achieved respectable levels of stability over 6–8 weeks,
overall test-retest reliability coefficient was .75.

Validity

Strong evidence of discriminant validity, the correlation values were less

than .25.

Common-factor analysis indicated the expected five-factor structure.

The convergent validity correlations with the NEO-PI-R domain scales

averaged .67 across Big Five domains.

External validation: overall correlation between the self-report

and peer-report BFI-10 scales was .44.

Norm

This test does not have any norm. It was a single participant test, as a result
there is no standard result or norm to compare the participant’s result.

The Scoring Guideline instructed us on how to measure the results.

A BFI-10 datasheet was prepared and kept with the researcher to record the data.

The Demographic information form was used to know the age and gender of the
participant.

Procedure
Single-subject design was used to conduct the experiment.

First, the researcher welcomed the participant, and then provided him with the participant
information sheet. Then, when he gave his verbal consent to participate, and after answering
related questions to the test, the researcher presented the BFI-10 inventory to the participant. After
that, the researcher explained how the participant shall answer the questions. When the participant
finished giving his answers, the researcher thanked him for giving the time and effort into the task.
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Data processing and statistical analysis

Raw score was determined as answered by the participant according to the answers for
each question. Then according to the scoring guideline, 5 scores were reversed. Then, the total
score for each category of Big Five Personality was calculated by adding the 2 items for each of
them. Among the 2 items, one was raw while the other was reversed for each category.

Results
Table 1

Big Five Personality Scores of a Human Participant

Extraversion Agreeableness Conscientiousness Neuroticism Openness

6 6 6 9 6

As we can see in table 1, the participant had the highest score in neuroticism, 9. In the other
5 traits, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness and Openness he had a neutral score of 6
all around the board. So, according to the psychological testing, his personality was dominated by
Neuroticism, while the other traits had the similar degree of positive effect.

The result has been visually presented in the chart below.

Results
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Extraversion Agreeableness Conscientiousness Neuroticism Openness

Extraversion Agreeableness Conscientiousness Neuroticism Openness

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Discussion
From our test it became evident that the participant is driven by his extraordinary
neuroticism. Except the neuroticism, the participant has a one scale higher than the neutral score.
That is, he is 60% extrovert, agreeable, conscientious and open. So, he has only one dominating
personality trait and no second one.

Neuroticism is the opposite of Emotional Stability, and high neuroticism means the
participant is hypervigilant and vulnerable to the physical and psychological effects of stress. Since
the participant is driven by this trait alone, all of the decisions, actions, behaviors, thinking are
motivated while being hypervigilant and vulnerable to the physical and psychological effects of
stress. This also means the participant faces a lot of conflict in work-life balance, and this might
actually result him to work below standard. After finding this, the participant must find ways to
neutralize the neuroticism and find the right balance.

The whole assessment had a number of limitations. First, there are no norms to compare
the result to. Then, the discussion is limited to single traits, that is, we can understand the effect of
each trait separately. We can’t really make of what the total scores of each category makes of the
personality, and then find ways to be better. Even though my participant had higher neuroticism,
he also had other 4 traits in equal neutral amount. So, maybe all of the traits together allow him to
function higher in work and balance the work-life. However, the assessment doesn’t allow us to
find that.

In conclusion, even though the test had some limitations when considered the overall
assessment, yet, it allowed the participant to know his weak spots and the consequences he might
face because of it. This will allow him to improve the trait and the personality with that.
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References

Feldman, R. (2018). Essentials of Understanding Psychology (13th ed.). McGraw-Hill

Education.

Holzman, P. S. (n.d.). personality | Definition, Types, Nature, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/personality

Mcleod, S. (n.d.). Theories of Personality | Simply Psychology. Simply Psychology.

https://www.simplypsychology.org/personality-theories.html

Robbins, S. P., & Judge, T. A. (2018). The Big Five Personality Model. In Essentials of

organizational behavior (pp. 80–82). Pearson.

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Appendix
Study information Sheet
Study Information Sheet
Department of History and Philosophy
Title of the Study: Measuring the Big Five Personality Traits of a
Human Participant
Introduction

You are invited to take part in a study on personality. Please read this information sheet carefully
so that you are able to make an informed decision about whether or not to participate in this
study. If anything is unclear or you have any questions about the research, you are very welcome
to ask me and I will do my best to provide the information you need.

What is the aim of the study?

The present study is part of my Introduction to Psychology Lab course. The main objective is to
measure the Big Five personality of a human participant.

What would I be asked to do if I took part?

If you decide to take part in this study, you will be asked to attend a 5-minute testing session.
During the study, you will be given an inventory consisting of 10 statements with five possible
responses for each. Your task will be to select the response option that best describes your
personality.

Will my data be confidential?

Yes, we will manage all of your data in a secure way to ensure that your confidentiality is
protected.

What happens if I do not want to take part or if I change my mind?

It is entirely up to you whether you take part or not. If you do decide to take part, you are free to
withdraw at any point without having to give a reason.

What are the benefits and risks to taking part in the study?

It is very unlikely that the present testing will cause any physical or psychological harm to you. The
assessment procedure is simple and benign in nature and has been used in many studies around
the world. There is no monetary or other benefit for taking part in this study.

Will the outcomes of the study be published?

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The outcome of the assessment will be used to write a study report to fulfil the requirements of
Introduction to Psychology Lab course. However, the report will not contain your name or address.

What if something goes wrong?

We do not expect anything to go wrong. In the very unlikely event that something untoward does
happen, you can contact me in the first instance. You can also contact my supervisor
(akib.huque@northsouth.edu).

Contact details of the researcher?

Ishtiaque Hossain Sajid

North South University,

Bashundhara R/A, Dhaka.

Email: Ishtiaque.sajid@northsouth.edu

Consent Form
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY
Consent Form

Title of Project: Measuring the Big Five Personality Traits of a Human Participant
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you are happy to participate please complete the consent form below

Please write
“Yes” in the
box
1. I confirm that I have read the attached information sheet on the above project and Yes
have had the opportunity to consider the information and ask questions and had
these answered satisfactorily.

2. I understand that my participation in the study is voluntary and that I am free to Yes
withdraw at any time without giving a reason and without detriment to any
treatment/service.

Yes
3. I give consent to store my data for use in future studies.

I agree to take part in the above project

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Name: ____Nasif Muquarrabin___________

Signature: ____Nasif__________________

Date: 12-14-20

Demographic Information Form

Demographic Information Form

Title of Project: Measuring the Big Five Personality Traits of a Human Participant

Age: 22

Gender: Male

Filled-in BFI-10
Big Five Inventory-10 (BFI-10)

Instruction: How well do the following statements describe your personality?

I see myself as someone who … Disagree Disagree Neither agree Agree Agree
strongly a little nor disagree a little strongly

1)… is reserved (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

2)… is generally trusting (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

3)… tends to be lazy (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

4)… is relaxed, handles stress well (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

5)… has few artistic interests (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

6)… is outgoing, sociable (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

7)… tends to find fault with others (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
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8)… does a thorough job (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

9)… gets nervous easily (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

10)… has an active imagination (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

Data Sheet
Data Sheet
Study name: Measuring the Big Five personality Traits of a Human Participant

Big Five personality

Item no. Item score Reversed score Total score
dimensions

1R 4 2
Extraversion 6
6 4 ---

2 3 ---
Agreeableness 6
7R 3 3

3R 4 2
Conscientiousness 6
8 4 ---

4R 2 4
Neuroticism 9
9 5 ---

5R 5 1
Openness 6
10 5 ---