Character matters! Personality differences are often summed up based on five broad dimensions, which are called the Big Five : neuroticism , extraversion , agreeableness , conscientiousness , and openness to experience . But in the early 2000s psychologists discovered evidence of a sixth personality factor, which led to a new model of personality called HEXACO. The distinctly new factor is called “honesty-humility,” and it is a component of moral character. (The other components of HEXACO are al
Defining HEXACO
HEXACO is one of the most studied topics in modern psychology and mental health. At its core, hexaco involves a specific cluster of experiences — cognitive, emotional, and physical — that have been consistently identified across cultures and research populations.
Psychologists define hexaco using diagnostic criteria that have been refined over decades of clinical and empirical work. The core features include recognizable patterns that distinguish hexaco from related but distinct conditions.
Who Does HEXACO Affect?
HEXACO affects people across all demographics, though certain factors can increase vulnerability:
- Age: Can emerge at any life stage; some forms peak in specific age groups
- Biology: Genetic predisposition plays a role for many types of hexaco
- Environment: Life experiences, stress, and social factors contribute significantly
- Co-occurring conditions: HEXACO often appears alongside other psychological conditions
The Spectrum of HEXACO
Like most psychological phenomena, hexaco exists on a spectrum. Mild experiences are part of normal human life. The concern arises when hexaco is persistent, intense, and interferes with daily functioning — work, relationships, or basic self-care.
Clinicians assess severity by looking at duration (how long), frequency (how often), and impairment (how much it affects daily life).
What Causes HEXACO?
HEXACO retains much of the Big Five, but redefines some of the personality factors and adds a sixth. Today, both the five-factor model and HEXACO are used by different teams of personality researchers to capture differences between people. The factors that make up HEXACO are: Broadly speaking, honest-humility is a dimension of personality that reflects the degree to which a person promotes—or doesn’t—their own interests above those of others. More specifically, it includes aspects of personality such as one’s levels of sincerity, fairness, modesty and (dis)interest in wealth and signs of statu
When to Seek Help
Consider professional support if hexaco:
- Persists for more than a few weeks
- Interferes with work, school, or relationships
- Causes significant distress
- Involves thoughts of self-harm