iability, high levels of activity, and capacity for joy; Openness to Experience (O), receptive orientation toward varied experiences and ideas; Agreeableness (A), inclinations toward interpersonal trust and consideration; and Conscientiousness (C), tendencies toward persistence, industriousness, and organization (Costa & Widiger, p. 3; Marshall, Wortman, Vickers, Kusulas, and Hervig (1994), p. 279; & Trull, 1992, p. 553).
The factors are further described by Costa and Widiger. N refers to the level of emotional adjustment and instability; a high N represents those prone to psychological distress. "N includes the facet scales for anxiety, angry hostility, depression, self-consciousness, impulsivity, and vulnerability" (p. 3). E measures quantity and intensity of preferred interpersonal interactions. People with a high E are active and sociable, talkative, affectionate, and person oriented, optimistic, and fun loving; low E represents those who are reserved and aloof, sober, quiet, and independent, but not necessarily unhappy or unfriendly (p. 3).
O reflects those who are curious and imaginative, and willing to be unconventional or consider novel ideas; they experience a vivid range of emotions. Low O scores represent people who tend to be conventional, conservative, dogmatic, and rigid who are set in their ways and unresponsive emotionally. People with high A scores are softhearted and good-natured, helpful, trusting, forgiving, and altruistic. They believe that others are similar and are eager to help them. Low A scores are demonstrated by those who are cynical, irritable and rude, suspicious, and uncooperative; they tend to be manipulative and vengeful and at times ruthless. High C people are reliable and hard-working, punctual and scrupulous, self-directed and organized, and ambitious and persevering. Low C people are the opposite, aimless, lazy and careless, unreliable and negligent, and hedonistic (Costa and Widi...