NEO PI-R™ SCALES LOWER SCORE HIGHER SCORE DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION NEUROTICISM SCALES N1- Anxiety Calm, Relaxed; Do not dwell on Anxious, things that might go wrong Apprehensive, Fearful; Prone to worry, nervous, tense, and jittery. N2 –Angry Hostility Easygoing, Slow to Anger Readiness to Experience Anger; Disagreeable, frustrated, bitter N3 –Depression Rarely experience depressive Guilt, emotions sadness, hopelessness, loneliness; Easily discouraged, often dejected N4 – Self-Consciousness Less disturbed by awkward social Uncomfortable situations around others; Shame, embarrassment, sensitive to ridicule, prone to feelings of inferiority, shyness, social anxiety N5 - Impulsiveness High tolerance for frustration; Easy Inability to control cravings and to resist temptation urges; Desires so strong that they cannot be resisted N6 - Vulnerability Capable of handling themselves in Vulnerability to stress; Unable to difficult situations cope with stress, becoming dependent, hopeless or panicked when facing emergency situations EXTRAVERSION SCALES E1 – Warmth More formal, reserved and distant Affectionate, Friendly; Generally like in manner; Neither hostile nor people necessarily lacking in compassion E2 - Gregariousness easily form close attachments to others. Loners who do not seek – or even Enjoy the company of others, the actively avoid- social stimulation E3 - Assertiveness and more the merrier Prefer to keep in the background Dominant, and let others do the talking forceful, and socially ascendant; Speak without hesitation and often become group leaders. E4 – Activity Leisurely, relaxed in tempo Rapid tempo and vigorous movement; Sense of energy, and a need to keep busy. Lead fast-paced lives. E5 – Excitement-Seeking Feel little need for thrills Crave excitement and stimulation; Like bright colors and noisy environments E6 – Positive Emotions Less exuberant and high-spirited; Tendency to experience positive Not necessarily unhappy. emotions; Laugh easily and often. Cheerful and optimistic. OPENNESS SCALES O1 – Fantasy Keep their mind on the task at Open to fantasy; Have a vivid hand; More straightforward. imagination and an active fantasy life. Daydream not only for escape but to create an interesting inner world. O2 –Aesthetics Relatively insensitive to and Deep uninterested in art and beauty. appreciation for art and beauty; Moved by poetry, absorbed in music, and intrigued by art. Interest in the arts. Not necessarily artistic ability. O3 – Feelings Have somewhat subdued feelings; Experience deeper and more Do not believe that feeling states differentiated emotional states; Feel are of much importance. happiness and unhappiness more intensely than others. O4 – Actions Find change difficult, prefer to stick Prefer to the ‘tried and true’ O5 – Ideas Limited curiosity; novelty and variety to familiarity and routine If highly Enjoy philosophical arguments and intelligent, narrowly focus their brain-teasers; Intellectually curious, resources on limited topics open-mindedness, willingness to consider new, unconventional ideas. O6 – Values Accepting of authority, honor Readiness tradition; Generally conservative. to re-examine social, political and religious values. AGREEABLENESS SCALES A1- Trust Tend to be cynical and skeptical; Believe that others are honest and Can assume others are dishonest well-intentioned. or dangerous. A2 – Straight forwardness Willing through to manipulate flattery, others Frank, sincere and ingenuous. craftiness or deception. May regard others as naïve. Guarded in expressing feelings. A3 – Altruism More self-centered, reluctant to get Active concern for others’ welfare; involved with others’ problems Shown in generosity, consideration of others, and a willingness to assist others in need of help. A4 – Compliance Aggressive; Prefers to compete Defer to others; Inhibits aggression, rather than co-operate, and has no tends to forgive and forget. Meek reluctance to express anger when and mild. necessary A5 – Modesty Believe they are superior; May be Humble and self-effacing, not considered conceited or arrogant necessarily lacking in self-confidence by others. A6 – Tender-Mindedness More and self-esteem hard-headed, consider Moved by others’ needs; Emphasize themselves realists; Less moved by the human side of social politics appeals to pity, make decisions based on cold logic. CONSCIENTIOUSNESS SCALES C1 – Competence Lower opinion of their abilities; Feel well prepared to deal with life; Admit that they unprepared and inept. C2- Order often Believe themselves to be capable, sensible, prudent and effective. Unable to get organized, less Neat, Tidy, Well Organized; Keep methodical C3 – Dutifulness are things in their proper places More casual about principles; May Adhere strictly to ethical principles; be somewhat undependable or Scrupulously unreliable. C4 - Achievement Striving Not driven fulfil their moral obligations to succeed; Have high aspiration levels and work Lackadaisical, perhaps even lazy. hard to achieve their goals. Diligent, Lack ambition and may seem purposeful and have a sense of aimless, content with low levels of direction in life. achievement. C5 – Self-Discipline Very High Score: potentially workaholic. Procrastinate, easily discouraged, Ability to motivate themselves to get eager to quit. the job done. Begin tasks and carry them through to completions despite boredom and other distractions. C6 – Deliberation Hasty, often speak or act without Cautious, deliberate, think carefully considering the consequences. At before acting. best, low scorers are spontaneous and able to make snap decisions when necessary.
