- Read Time: 8 minutes
- By: Jen
- Updated: June 5, 2024
Ever wondered why some people are eager to try new things while others stick to what they know?
Openness to experience is a personality trait that fuels our intellectual curiosity and love for adventure. It’s a key to personal growth, meaningful relationships, and sparking creativity.
Understanding Openness can help us navigate life, build stronger connections, and unlock our creative potential.
Ready to dive in?
This is the first article in our Openness deep dive mini-series.
You can skip the deep dive and go straight to the summary, How to Open Up to Growth: Nurturing Your Openness Personality Trait.
Or you can check out the whole series:
- What is Openness? A Deep Dive into the Big Five Personality OCEAN
- How to Become More Open: Simple Steps to Start
- Openness Examples: How Openness Affects the Six Pillars of Your Life
What is Openness in the Big Five Personality Traits?
Openness is one of the Big Five personality traits, which is a widely recognized psychological framework based on the Five-Factor Model for personality. The other traits are Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Neuroticism (OCEAN). Each trait plays a significant role in shaping our behavior and responses to various situations.
Openness to experience includes a range of actions and attitudes related to curiosity, imagination, and willingness to experiment. It looks like a willingness to try new things, an appreciation for art and beauty, or a curiosity about different ideas and cultures.
What are the Facets of the Openness Personality Trait?
In the Big Five personality traits, facets are more specific subdivisions that make up the overall dimension of a trait like Openness to Experience.
There are six facets of Openness:
- Imagination (Fantasy)
- Artistic Interests (Aesthetics (es-theh-ticks))
- Emotionality (Feelings)
- Adventurousness (Actions)
- Intellect (Ideas)
- Liberalism (Values)
Let’s learn more about the six facets of Openness to Experience.
Imagination (Fantasy)
Imagination is about thinking creatively and visualizing new ideas.
People who score high in imagination are often very creative and love exploring new possibilities. They might enjoy writing stories, drawing, or daydreaming about fantastical scenarios. For example, Lily loves painting scenes from her imagination and writing fantasy stories in her journal.
On the other hand, those who score low in imagination may find it hard to think outside the box. They tend to prefer routine and familiar experiences. Lily’s friend, Jake, likes sticking to practical tasks and avoids activities that require a lot of creative thinking.
Being high in imagination helps you come up with new ideas and see the world in unique ways. Even if you prefer more practical tasks, trying creative activities can be fun and help you think differently (DeYoung, Quilty, & Peterson, 2007).
Artistic Interests (Aesthetics) (es-the-ticks)
Artistic interests mean having a love for art and beauty.
People who score high in this area enjoy activities like painting, music, and literature. They notice and appreciate the beauty around them. For example, Emma loves visiting art museums and spending her free time creating colorful drawings.
In contrast, those who score low in artistic interests might find art less exciting. They prefer practical activities instead. Emma’s brother, Jake, would rather play sports or build model airplanes than visit an art museum.
Being highly interested in artistic things helps you see the world creatively and makes life more colorful. But even if you’re low in this area, trying new creative activities can be fun and rewarding. According to a study by DeYoung, Quilty, & Peterson (2007), engaging in creative activities can enhance your Openness and lead to a more fulfilling life.
Emotionality (Feelings)
Emotionality, or how deeply we feel things, is integral to our human personality.
People who score high in emotionality are often very in touch with their inner feelings. They might be sensitive, empathetic, and caring towards others. For example, Alex cries during sad movies and laughs out loud at funny ones. On the other hand, those who score low in emotionality may seem more reserved or less expressive about their emotions. Alex’s cousin, Sam, rarely shows much emotion, even when watching the same movie.
People with high emotionality connect easily with others because they understand their feelings. However, these intense emotions can sometimes be overwhelming. It’s essential to manage these feelings by finding healthy ways to express them. Those low in emotionality can work on understanding and expressing their emotions to build better connections with others (DeYoung, Quilty, & Peterson, 2007).
Remember, it’s okay to experience emotions differently. What matters is learning how to handle them effectively.
Adventurousness (Actions)
Adventurousness means being willing to take risks and try new things.
People who score high in adventurousness are curious and eager to explore the unknown. They love trying new activities, traveling to different places, and embracing challenges. For instance, Jake decided to go on a spontaneous road trip with his friends to explore nearby towns they had never visited.
On the other hand, those who score low in adventurousness prefer routine and familiarity. They might feel uncomfortable with uncertainty and avoid stepping out of their comfort zone. Jake’s sister, Emma, prefers sticking to her usual weekend routine at home, enjoying the predictability and safety of familiar routines and activities.
Being adventurous can open up many exciting opportunities that help you grow. But even if you prefer routines, occasionally trying something new can be a fun way to discover more about yourself and the world around you (DeYoung, Quilty, & Peterson, 2007).
Intellect (Ideas)
Intellect, or ideas, is about how much you like to learn and understand new things.
People who score high in intellect are inquisitive and love to learn. They might spend their free time reading books on different subjects, engaging in debates, or coming up with creative solutions to problems. For example, Jamie loves discussing complex topics and always has a new book to read.
On the other hand, research suggests those who score low in intellect prefer familiar or practical tasks. They might avoid deep discussions and stick to routines. Jamie’s sister, Rosa, likes to keep things simple and focuses on day-to-day activities without diving into abstract ideas.
Being high in intellect can help you develop a wide range of knowledge and think creatively. But even if you prefer routine, occasionally exploring new ideas can be rewarding and help broaden your perspective (Perugini & Gallucci, 1997).
Liberalism (Values)
Liberalism, in the context of the Big Five personality traits, is about how open you are to new ideas and changes.
People who score high in liberalism are accepting of different viewpoints and love exploring unconventional beliefs. They value equality, freedom of expression, and diversity. For example, Lily always stands up for everyone’s rights and enjoys learning about different cultures.
Conversely, those who score low in liberalism may prefer traditional values and resist change. They might feel more comfortable with familiar customs and less accepting of diversity. Lily’s brother, Tom, prefers sticking to old traditions and feels uneasy with new or different ideas.
Being high in liberalism encourages embracing new experiences and social progress. Even if you lean towards traditional values, trying to understand and accept new ideas can help foster a more inclusive community (DeYoung, Quilty, & Peterson, 2007).
Openness Isn’t All or Nothing; It’s a Spectrum.
Openness to new experiences and ideas isn’t something you either have or don’t have; it varies from person to person.
It’s important to know that this trait exists on a spectrum. Depending on your comfort level, you can be a little open, moderately open, or very open. Understanding this helps us appreciate how everyone approaches new experiences differently.
Do you know where you fit on the Openness spectrum? If not, take the free Big Five personality test at Truity.com to find out.
Let’s learn what high and low Openness might look like.
What Does High Openness Look Like?
High Openness looks curious, creative, and eager to try new things.
People with high openness love exploring different ideas, art, and cultures. They enjoy learning about the world in many ways.
For example, Sam loves reading all kinds of books, attending art shows, and trying new hobbies like cooking different cuisines and learning new instruments. People like Sam are often open to change and enjoy the richness of diverse experiences.
Being open can lead to personal growth and a deeper appreciation for life. It helps you see the world in new and exciting ways.
If you embrace your curiosity, you can discover amazing things and grow as a person (DeYoung, Quilty, & Peterson, 2007).
What Does Low Openness Look Like?
Low Openness looks like preferring routine and being cautious of change.
People with low Openness tend to like sticking to what they know and may struggle with creativity and imagination. They often favor practical activities over exploring new ideas or experiences.
For example, Alex prefers watching the same TV shows and eating the same meals every day rather than trying something new or unfamiliar.
This preference for familiarity can make it hard for them to adapt to new situations or enjoy creative pursuits like art and music. By sticking to the same activities, they might miss out on opportunities for personal growth and learning new things (Ekehammar & Akrami, 2007).
Can You Become More Open to Experience?
Yes, you can become more open!
One way to do this is by trying new experiences and activities outside your comfort zone. For example, if you usually play the same video games, try a different genre or even a new sport.
Reading diverse books, asking questions, and meeting people from different backgrounds can boost your curiosity and open-mindedness. For instance, Alex started volunteering at a local community center and met people with different life stories, which made Alex more empathetic and understanding.
Practicing mindfulness, embracing creativity, and seeking educational opportunities can help expand your horizons. Being adaptable to change and building resilience are essential, too. Remember, every small step towards trying something new can help you grow and enjoy life more fully (DeYoung, Quilty, & Peterson, 2007).
More on this in the next article in our Openness mini-series, How to Become More Open: Simple Steps to Start.
Let's Recap
Exploring the facets of Openness to Experience can help you better understand yourself and others.
Whether you love trying new things or prefer to stick to routines, everyone has a unique way of experiencing the world. Being open can make life exciting and full of growth, but even small changes can add a touch of adventure to your routine.
Remember, it’s okay to start small and take one step at a time. Celebrate your curiosity and embrace the journey of learning and growing.
Articles in the Big Five Series
Openness to Experience
- How to Open Up to Growth: Nurturing Your Openness Personality Trait
- What is Openness? A Deep Dive into the Big Five Personality OCEAN
- How to Become More Open: Simple Steps to Start
- Openness Examples: How Openness Affects the Six Pillars of Your Life
Coming Soon: Conscientiousness
Coming Soon: Extraversion
Coming Soon: Agreeableness
Coming Soon: Neuroticism
References
- DeYoung, C. G., Quilty, L. C., & Peterson, J. B. (2007). Between facets and domains: 10 aspects of the Big Five. Journal of Research in Personality, 41(2), 258-275. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2007-15390-012
- Perugini, M., & Gallucci, M. (1997). A hierarchical faceted model of the Big Five. European Journal of Personality, 11(4), 279-301. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-0984(199711)11:4<279::AID-PER282>3.0.CO;2-F
- Ekehammar, B., & Akrami, N. (2007). Personality and Prejudice: From Big Five Personality Factors to Facets. Journal of Personality, 75(5), 899-926. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2007.00460.x
