The Analysis of the Five Factor Model

1485 Words3 Pages

The Analysis of the Five Factor Model

In this essay, first the Five Factor Model (FFM) will be described.

Secondly, psychologists for and against the model will be looked at.

Following this, the stability of traits will be looked at, both

longitudinal and cross situational. Finally, the application of the

model within and outside psychology will be evaluated to show support

that the FFM provides a solid foundation for an adequate personality

psychology.

“The Five Factor Model provides a compelling framework for building

personality measures that seek to represent the domain of individual

terms broadly and systematically” (Briggs, 1989 as cited in McAdams.

DP, 1992, p. 332). The FFM consists of five factors (The ‘Big Five’).

They are Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and

Neuroticism. When measured individuals can range from extremes on each

of these traits. The FFM suggests that these factors are both fixed

and stable and make up our personality. The FFM was designed to

establish the basic units of personality by having everyday people

rate themselves or others using words sampled from the dictionary

(John, Angleitner, and Ostendorf, 1988 as cited in Pervin. AL,

Cervone, D, Oliver. PJ, 2004). Many studies like this have been

conducted and after factor analysing the ratings the five factors

mentioned above were consistently found. Psychologist Lewis R.

Goldberg reviewed the model and came up with the theory that the five

factors are terms that over a long period of time, the human race has

collectively narrowed down and use universally to describe an

individuals personality. It gives individuals a sense of...

... middle of paper ...

...to psychology and

outside of psychology is also a convincing argument for the support of

the model.

Bibliography

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PERVIN. A.L. & CERVONE. D. & OLIVER. P.J. (2004). Personality: Theory

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SMITH. T. W. and WILLIAMS. P.G. (1992). Personality and Health:

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Torres HR Ltd. (2004) retrieved November 8, 2005 from

http://www.torres.co.uk/index.asp

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