This refers to a tendency to experience unpleasant emotions easily, such as anger, anxiety, depression, and vulnerability. It also refers to the degree of emotional stability and impulse control, which is why it is sometimes referred to by its low pole, "emotional stability."
High Score – High scorers display a need for stability and a calm personality, but they can be seen as uninspiring and unconcerned.
Low Score – Low scorers display a need for stability, which causes a reactive and excitable personality. These people are often seen as very dynamic individuals, but they can be perceived as unstable or insecure.
Examples:
- I get stressed out easily.
- I get upset easily.
- I worry about things.
- I am relaxed most of the time. (reversed)
- I seldom feel blue. (reversed)
People who don't show any specific characteristics from the Big Five are considered adaptable, moderate, and reasonable personalities, but they can also be perceived as unprincipled, inscrutable, and calculating.
Each of the Big Five personality traits contains two separate, but correlated, aspects reflecting a level of personality. The aspects are labeled as follows: Volatility and Withdrawal for Neuroticism; Enthusiasm and Assertiveness for Extroversion; Intellect and Openness for Openness/Intellect; Industriousness and Orderliness for Conscientiousness; and Compassion and Politeness for Agreeableness.