Essay On Conscientiousness

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Conscientiousness is the ability to control impulses and use them for goal-oriented behavior. A low score for this trait indicates trouble with inhibiting impulses. Someone with a high score has a greater ability to consider future consequences before acting on impulses. High conscientiousness is favorable in many aspects of life. People who think before acting tend to be wise and cautious, and others may perceive them as intelligent. Instead of acting on the first choice in mind, conscientious people weigh out alternative options. They are able to achieve success through staying on task by planning ahead and diverting attention from distractions. Conscientious people are ambitious, well-organized, and abide by responsibilities, making them …show more content…

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs asserts that people strive to self-actualize after meeting their basic needs. Self-actualization is using one’s abilities to contribute to the world and grow as a person. A conscientious person might address their psychological needs, such as the desire to complete a major task. To write an important document, forming a schedule to break the writing process into blocks makes accomplishment more likely. By planning ahead, a conscientious person can contemplate which interests to pursue to reach their full potential. With diligence they can focus on specific goals and reach desired outcomes, such as completing years of medical residency to become a neurosurgeon. By Maslow’s theory, the conscientious person relies on external factors to maximize personal growth. While this theory emphasizes growing through achievement, the self-determination theory focuses on the sources of motivation. Someone with high conscientiousness relies on an internal drive to meet their goals. They do this by finding their way in life, finding something they are skilled at, and relating to others. By exerting self-control they seek happiness from within and tend to avoid hedonistic pursuits. Thus, this theory suggests that the conscientious person relies on intrinsic motives to pursue

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