The differences between people’s personalities can be broken down in terms of five major traits—often called the “Big Five.” Each one reflects a key part of how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. The Big Five traits are:
What Is Big 5 Personality Traits? (Plain Language Explanation)
Big 5 Personality Traits refers to a pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that many people experience. While it can be challenging, it's also well-understood and treatable.
Key Terms to Know About Big 5 Personality Traits
- Symptoms: The specific ways big 5 personality traits shows up for you
- Triggers: Situations or thoughts that activate or worsen big 5 personality traits
- Evidence-based: Treatments backed by scientific research
- Comorbidity: When big 5 personality traits occurs alongside other conditions
3 Things Most People Don't Know About Big 5 Personality Traits
- Big 5 Personality Traits is far more common than most people realize
- Big 5 Personality Traits is not caused by weakness — it has identifiable biological and psychological causes
- Most people with big 5 personality traits see significant improvement with the right support
Your Next Steps
Learning about big 5 personality traits is just the beginning. If you think you're experiencing big 5 personality traits, speaking with a mental health professional is the most valuable next step.