What Is Openness to Experience Personality Trait in the Big 5 Model?

Researchers have established the Big Five Personality Factor Theory as the most concise and practical measure of an individual's personality. The theory, which D.W. Fiske first developed in 1949, has been worked on by several other researchers, including McCrae and Costa (1987). It features broad character traits such as openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.

The openness to experience trait, arguably the broadest of all five factors, reveals how creative, imaginative, flexible, and adventurous a person is. Someone with a high level of openness usually applies unique solutions to problems, is open to fresh ideas, and embraces the thrill of the unknown.

A study by Robert McCrae shows that the openness to experience trait reaches its peak when the individual clocks 19 years of age. It makes sense that as people grow older and rid themselves of youthful exuberance. They tend to be less eager to welcome drastic changes and more inclined to stick to routines, traditions, and familiar terrain.

What Is The Big Five Trait of Openness Psychology Definition?

In psychology, the Big Five trait of openness is the extent to which people are willing to welcome new ideas and experiences. In other words, it defines a person's degree of adaptability, learning, and knowledge acquisition. People with high openness seek new sensations and experiences and embrace changes. Those with low openness prefer to stay conservative and traditional and are very suspicious of any changes.

Basically, high openness can be characterized by the famous quote often attributed to Albert Einstein:

"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing."

While low openness (high closedness)can be summed up by the simple yet telling saying:

"New is not always better."

So, it's not surprising that younger people tend to score higher on openness compared to older ones.

Key Characteristics Of High Openness To Experience

This trait is marked by a strong interest in new ideas, emotions, and experiences.

• Imagination: Tends to involve frequent daydreaming and a vivid inner world. Creative ideas often arise spontaneously in everyday situations.
• Artistic interests: Includes appreciation for music, visual art, design, and other forms of beauty. Aesthetic experiences often evoke strong emotional responses.
• Intellectual curiosity: A drive to learn, explore, and understand new information. Often leads to deep dives into books, podcasts, or unfamiliar subjects just for the sake of learning.
• Emotionality: High sensitivity to emotional experiences and subtle mood shifts. Strong reactions to events, memories, or art are common.
• Adventurousness: Preference for novelty, variety, and trying unfamiliar things. Comfort with stepping outside of routines or comfort zones.
• Sensation-seeking: Inclination toward thrilling or stimulating experiences. May enjoy activities that involve risk, excitement, or intense feelings.
• Impulsivity: Tendency to act spontaneously without extensive forethought. It can bring spontaneity and energy but sometimes leads to unpredictable outcomes.
• Liberalism: Openness to diverse values, lifestyles, and perspectives. Often accompanied by a willingness to challenge social norms and embrace change.

Big 5 Test Items Measuring Openness

Depending on the specific version of the Big Five test, openness can be measured using different formats, either with simple yes/no questions or on a Likert scale (e.g., 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Here are some examples of statements that can be used to measure Openness:

• I feel excited, not anxious when faced with something unfamiliar.
• I prefer variety and change over routine and predictability.
• I question social norms.
• I find traditional rules or systems limiting and prefer to challenge them.
• I enjoy the thrill of doing things that others find risky or uncertain.
• I often dive into new experiences without a detailed plan.
• I enjoy expressing myself through writing, drawing, music, or another art form.
• I enjoy learning for the sake of learning.

What Does A High Score On The Big Five Openness Scale Mean?

People with high scores on the openness scale are willing to take risks because of the rewards they stand to gain if they succeed. They apply creative solutions to problems and are eager to pursue new adventures and discover new things. They are equally ready to present fresh ideas as they are to listen to them.

Although high openness has several advantages, it can be like testing the depth of a large water body with both feet. Throwing caution to the wind can sometimes be exhilarating, but when it goes wrong, it can lead to catastrophic failure. Additionally, constantly thinking outside the box might lead you to overthink solutions rather than apply the simple solution right in front of you.

High openness to experience trait is not only about risk-taking but also about welcoming changes and being curious enough to learn new things and create novel experiences.

What Does High Openness Look Like?

People with high openness traits are generally happier because they genuinely build loving relationships with their neighbors, co-workers, and anyone they come across. Due to their flexibility, they tend to be more welcoming to strangers from diverse backgrounds.

However, while it is good to be open to new ideas and welcome change, some people believe individuals with high openness traits are unstable and, therefore, should not be trusted easily.

What Does A Low Score On The Big Five Openness Scale Mean?

Individuals with low openness scores are said to have the “closedness to experience” trait. They approach new and untested things cautiously. Close-minded people are often rigid and rarely think outside the box because they are comfortable in their routines and traditions.

Someone with the closedness to experience trait will often pass up new opportunities that could lead to a breakthrough in their academic pursuits or career. Instead, they stick with a familiar job or place where they find comfort. Rather than risk everything for the unknown, they believe there is less chance of failure in familiar terrain. Studies also show that many managers and other people in leadership positions tend to have lower openness. So, low openness is not necessarily bad, and may even be beneficial in certain environments requiring structure.

What Does Low Openness Look Like?

As you would expect, individuals with low openness scores are closed off and tend to shy away from new experiences. They rarely take risks and are committed to their routines.

You may have come across someone who holds their personal beliefs so sacred that they are not willing to listen to anything that might contradict it. They are so dogmatic that they would rather be alone than open their minds to people with different ideas.

What Does A Moderate Score On The Big Five Openness Scale Mean?

Between the widely conservative bunch intent on following the status quo and those who revel in taking the road less traveled, many people are neither too rigid nor too flexible. These are the people with moderate scores on the openness to experience scale. They can follow the tried and tested methods to solve a problem. But they can also apply creative means when required.

According to renowned psychologist Robert McCrae, only a tiny percentage of people score exceedingly high or low on the openness to experience trait. Most people have moderate scores.

Usually, having a moderate score indicates finding the right balance between creativity and consistency. You are reasonable in applying new creative solutions to problems and flexible in accepting change. The best career options for individuals with average openness scores are journalism, research work, interior design, etc.

To Sum Up

Openness isn’t just about being imaginative or adventurous; it’s about how we engage with the unknown, how we challenge our own assumptions, and how willing we are to self-develop and self-improve. Whether one scores high, low, or somewhere in between, the real value of understanding this trait lies in using that insight to make wiser, more authentic choices in life. After all, it’s not just about having an open mind, it’s about knowing when to open it wider, and when to keep it grounded.