Understanding the big five personality traits appears to give the promise of understanding ourselves better. However, it is clear that our behaviour is variable, for example:
- individuals may be highly agreeable (or disagreeable) in the presence of family and close friends yet be the opposite unfamiliar situations.
- anxiety (neuroticism) may not be a problem in familiar situations yet be strong in unfamiliar situations.
Questions
- The Big Five suggests that we behave consistently irrespective of the situation. How can this be true given the apparent differences in behaviour that exist in each situation?
- How should individuals take this into account in their career choices?