Question

Neuroticism is one of the big five personality traits. Compare the specific qualities of an individual who scores high in neuroticism with the qualities found in an emotionally stable person.

Answer 1

Individuals who score high on neuroticism tend to be moody, tense, irritable and are highly vulnerable to negative affect such as anxiety, worry, fear, depression, sadness, anger, and frustration. Such individuals react unfavourably to stressors and are likely to exaggerate the threat and difficulty associated with a particular situation. In addition to their inability to regulate their emotions, neurotic individuals also experience challenges in controlling their urges and seek immediate gratification for their desires.

On the opposite end of this trait is emotional stability, or the tendency to maintain a balanced and controlled response to various situations. Such individuals are likely to remain calm and composed even during tense circumstances. Since emotionally stable individuals maintain a proportionate perspective on their life events, they experience less negative affect such as fear and worry, thereby experiencing lower levels of stress.