The Five Factor Personality Profile (NEO PI-R)

The Five Factor Personality Profile (NEO PI-R) also referred to as the Big Five or the Five-Factor Model gives an understanding of human behaviour that is based upon the belief that at the broadest level, personality can be described in terms of five basic dimensions or factors. These are:

Extraversion Neuroticism Openness

Agreeableness Conscientiousness

These factors are also referred to as the OCEAN or CANOE models of personality.

Factor I: Extraversion (AKA Surgency)

This trait reflects preference for, and behavior in, social situations. People high in extraversion are energetic and seek out the company of others. Low scorers (introverts) tend to be more quiet and reserved. The broad dimension of Extraversion encompasses such more specific traits as talkative, energetic, assertive, positive emotions, and the tendency to seek stimulation and the company of others.

Factor II: Agreeableness (AKA Friendliness)

This trait reflects how we tend to interact with others. People high in agreeableness tend to be trusting, friendly and cooperative. Low scorers tend to be more aggressive and less cooperative. This dimension includes traits like sympathetic, kind, and affectionate, a tendency to be compassionate and cooperative rather than suspicious and antagonistic towards others.

Factor III: Conscientiousness (AKA Will or Dependability)

This trait reflects how organized and persistent we are in pursuing our goals. High scorers are methodical, well organized and dutiful. Low scorers are less careful, less focused and more likely to be distracted from tasks. People high in Conscientiousness tend to be organized, thorough, a tendency to show self-discipline, act dutifully, and aim for achievement; planned rather than spontaneous behaviour.

Factor IV: Neuroticism (AKA Emotional Stability)

This trait reflects the tendency to experience negative thoughts and feelings. High scorers are prone to insecurity and emotional distress. Low scorers tend to be more relaxed, less emotional and less prone to distress. Neuroticism is characterized by traits like tense, moody, anxious, a tendency to experience unpleasant emotions easily, such as anger, anxiety, depression or vulnerability; sometimes called emotional instability.

Factor V: Openness (AKA Culture or Intellect)

This trait reflects 'open-mindedness' and interest in culture. High scorers tend to be imaginative, creative, and to seek out cultural and educational experiences. Low scorers are more down-to-earth, less interested in art and more practical in nature. Openness to Experience is sometimes called Intellect or Intellect/Imagination. This dimension includes having wide interests, and being imaginative and insightful, appreciation for art, emotion, adventure, unusual ideas, imagination, curiosity, and variety of experience.

Scores

The NEO PI-R generates Domain Scores which provide good estimates for each of the five (5) factors. Each factor has six (6) sub-traits or facets. Domain Scores are arrived at by summing the six facets for each domain. The score a person receives for each factor indicates the inherent strengths and potential weaknesses and there are no better or worse scores.

The Report

Two (2) reports may be generated for this assessment - a shortened summary and a full scale version. The summary of the NEO PI-R assessment presents a basic description of personality based on the five domains. This version is a quick, reliable, and accurate measure of the five domains of adult (ages 17 years and older) personality. The Summary Report is especially useful when time is limited and global information on personality is considered sufficient.

The Interpretive Report (the full scale version) gives a more in-depth analysis and includes a T-score profile and data table, validity indexes, a global description of the Five Factors of adult personality, and personality correlates with possible implications. A separate section of the report presents style graphs of the five personality domains in terms of 10 personality styles:

1. Well-Being 2. Defense 3. Anger Control

4. Impulse Control 5. Interests 6. Interactions

7. Activity 8. Attitudes 9. Learning 10. Character

An additional feature of our system is the opportunity to generate a COMBINED INTERPRETIVE REPORT that compares an individual's self-report results with the results from an observer. The Combined Interpretive Report provides a quantified index of profile agreement.

Personality Correlates: Some Possible Implications

Research has shown that the scales of the NEO PI-R™ are related to a wide variety of psychosocial variables. These correlates suggest possible implications of the personality profile. This section of the report gives a sense of how this individual might function in the following areas:

Coping and Defenses
Somatic Complaints
Psychological Well-being
Cognitive Processes
Interpersonal Characteristics
Needs and Motives

Personality Style Graphs

Broad personality factors are pervasive influences on thoughts, feelings, and actions, and combinations of factors provide insight into major aspects of people's lives, defining what can be called personality styles. The NEO PI-R report also shows how ten combinations (pairs of factors) may define an individual’s personality style. These ten combinations as represented in the NEO Style Graphs are:

Style of Well-being N+E
Style of Defense N+O
Style of Anger Control N+A
Style of Impulse Control N+C
Style of Interests E+O
Style of Interaction E+A
Style of Activity E+C
Style of Attitudes O+A
Style of Learning O+C
Style of Character A+C

PROCEDURE FOR COMPLETING THE ASSESSMENT

The assessment may be administered by computer or may be completed using a paper and pencil version. As such, both individual and group administration may be facilitated.
Although the assessment is not timed, the average completion time is 45 minutes.