Re: Where the Big Five fails

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> You nailed 'em, Cory. > I've expressed this idea a couple of times before, but never so well. I'm pointing to your message at <a href="http://ptypes.pitas.com/">PTypes weblog</a> > > > 1) It's more of a personality classification system than a self-improvement system. If you score low on Agreeableness, what can you say? "Be more agreeable?" > > 2) Big Five is incredibly biased. So much so it's comical that people look at it so scientifically. It's based on "healthy, developed people vs unhealthy, undeveloped people" -- and their definitions of "healthy" may differ from yours. Instead of having Thinking vs Feeling, Sensing vs Intuiting, these are the categories Big Five puts you in.... > > Closed-Minded vs Open to New Experiences > > Disorganized vs Conscientious > > Introverted vs Extraverted > > Disagreeable vs Agreeable > > Calm / Relaxed vs Nervous / High-Strung > > So all of you ENFJs out there would be considered the equivalent of the Nietzschean <i>Ubermensch</i> by the Big Five psychologists, while all you close-minded disorganized and disagreeable ISTPs can go blow your heads off with a shotgun since you have no use for society. Also read the short descriptions of each category... > > OPENNESS: High scorers tend to be original, creative, curious, complex; Low scorers tend to be conventional, down to earth, narrow interests, uncreative. > > CONSCIENTIOUSNESS: High scorers tend to be reliable, well-organized, self-disciplined, careful; Low scorers tend to be disorganized, undependable, negligent. > > EXTRAVERSION: High scorers tend to be sociable, friendly, fun loving, talkative; Low scorers tend to be introverted, reserved, inhibited, quiet. > > AGREEABLENESS: High scorers tend to be good natured, sympathetic, forgiving, courteous; Low scorers tend to be critical, rude, harsh, callous. > > NEUROTICISM: High scorers tend to be nervous, high-strung, insecure, worrying; Low scorers tend to be calm, relaxed, secure, hardy. > > Is this not the most biased piece of shit you've seen? One side good, other side bad! Why do they seem to fail to mention that Conscientious individuals can be overdemanding, overworking, predictable, boring, and perfectionistic? Why don't they mention that Disorganized people can be flexible in decisions, have their OWN way of organization, and are more carefree and accepting. They also fail to mention that people with high Openness scores can be impractical, unrealistic, naive, or just plain crackpots. Low scorers can be practical, realistic, street smart, and more appreciative of the present moment. People with high Agreeableness scores can be too much influenced by what others say, become unassertive, lie to others, maintain peace at any price. People with low Agreeableness can be truthful, strong, convicted, offer healthy criticism, and be objective. People with high Neuroticism can be vigilant, sensitive, emotional, and artistic. People with low Neuroticism can be dull, insensitive, robotic, or numb. > > I think the Big Five fails because of the PEOPLE behind it. As a system itself, it could be made more objectively. However, I think it's just a rip-off of the MB scale, with a little Neuroticism thrown in. > > So Jan, you may think the MB hides your weak sides, but Big Five is just as bad since it says one side is all good and the other side is all bad. > > And Neuroticism isn't equal to the Levels of Development necessarily. It's basically the difference between 6 and 9, reactive and unreactive, etc. 4, 6, and 8 would typically score high in it, while 1, 3, 5, and 9 would score low. > > -Cory

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