Emotional Stability (score 78)

Refers to overall calmness and emotional security.

Mary reports experiencing quite stable emotions and generally being able to bounce back after stress. Emotionally stable individuals are generally composed and confident, even under stressful situations. They are not prone to extreme or inappropriate displays of emotion, and experience little guilt, anxiety, depression, and self-consciousness in comparison to their less stable counterparts. Emotional instability, on the other hand, suggests insecurity and nervousness, as well as excess worry and self-doubt. In Mary's case, s/he can likely handle difficult times with relative ease.

Emotional Reactivity (score 12)

Refers to the tendency to experience strong or extreme emotions.

Mary is emotionally controlled and rarely expresses strong feelings of joy, anger, fear, or sadness. Outwardly, it may appear as though s/he is not taking in the situation, not paying attention, or suppressing his/her feelings, but in fact, it is likely that s/he rarely experiences strong emotions.

Resiliency (score 78)

Ability to cope with adversity.

Mary remains emotionally and mentally strong in the face of difficulties, criticism, and lack of support. S/he bounces back from hardship more easily than most, and has overall strength of character.

Anger Command (score 87)

Ability to control and regulate anger.

Mary is not easily angered, as there is very little that truly outrages him/her. Instances that would infuriate many go practically unnoticed by him/her. When s/he does become angry, s/he likely controls himself/herself very well. People who are unable to control their temper are often unpleasant to be around; therefore, this trait also affects Mary's score for the Agreeableness factor.

Impulse Command (score 81)

Refers to tendency to act on thought rather than impulse.

Mary is usually able to control and direct his/her impulses. S/he thinks through the possibilities and consequences before acting, and takes the time to make decisions. S/he is capable of resisting impulses and can delay gratification. Being impulsive can make others uncomfortable; therefore, this trait also affects Mary's score for the Agreeableness factor.

Self-confidence (score 86)

Refers to belief in oneself and one’s abilities.

Mary has fairly high self-confidence. S/he takes pride in himself/herself and his/her abilities, believes in himself/herself, and behaves accordingly.

Reaction to Stress (score 64)

Ability to effectively cope with pressure and trying situations.

Mary is effective under pressure, and may even perform at his/her best under stressful conditions. S/he is able to maintain his/her composure and a high level of productivity in situations where many people would crack under pressure.

Independence (score 72)

Degree of autonomy a person desires/exhibits.

Mary typically makes choices and decisions independently, and is rather indifferent towards the acceptance or approval of others. S/he does not depend on others excessively, and may even pull away from group in order to assert his/her independence.

Assertiveness (score 74)

Ability to express needs, desires and disagreement in a tactful manner.

Mary expresses his/her ideas and needs effectively, and never fails to stand up for himself/herself. S/he asserts himself/herself diplomatically, and rarely offends anyone while addressing his/her concerns or reaching his/her objectives. S/he asks for what s/he wants or deserves, and will let people know if they have offended or upset him/her.

Optimism (score 69)

Refers to the ability to see the brighter side of things.

Mary is an optimist. S/he sees life as full of opportunity, and remains positive in the face of adversity. S/he has a positive attitude toward events and situations, and an optimistic view of human nature. S/he almost always looks on the bright side, and expects the best from every person and situation. Since it can be difficult to be around someone who only sees the negative side of things, this trait also affects the Agreeableness score.

Extroversion (score 85)

Refers to an outward and interactive personal orientation.

Mary is extroverted, preferring the company of others rather than spending time alone. Extroversion refers to an outward and interactive orientation. Extroverts are stimulated by being around others and are often considered gregarious or outgoing. People with this orientation usually have a lot of friends, and find it easy to interact with strangers. They tend to feel lonely and withdrawn when denied the company of others. When extroverts feel bad, low on energy, or stressed, they look outside themselves for relief.

Sociability (score 100)

Refers to the disposition to seek out the company of others.

Mary genuinely enjoys being around people, and finds the company of others pleasant, stimulating, and rewarding. S/he likes the excitement of groups and crowds, and prefers spending time with others rather than on his/her own. S/he would likely thrive in a job that entails working directly with the public.

Self-disclosure (score 73)

Refers to the desire and willingness to open up to others.

Mary is an outspoken person who loves to talk. S/he is comfortable divulging information about himself/herself and sharing his/her thoughts, feelings, and ideas, even if it’s with people s/he doesn’t know very well. S/he both craves and enjoys verbal expression, and easily opens up to others.

Approachability (score 100)

Assesses how amicable a person comes across as to others.

Mary is enjoyable and pleasant to spend time with. S/he is quite approachable and therefore, likely finds it fairly easy to build a rapport with others. S/he is probably well liked and accepted by those around him/her.

Orientation (score 66)

Determines whether an individual prefers turning to others during tough times, or would rather deal with them on his or her own.

Whether times are going wonderfully or terribly, Mary doesn't hesitate to call on those s/he knows to talk things out. S/he enjoys being around others and relies on their input to help him/her figure things out. S/he trusts their input and feels that they are less biased observers of his/her behavior and situations than s/he is. All in all, s/he prefers to reflect on issues with others rather than alone.

Openness (score 82)

Refers to interest in novel experiences, including exploring new places, gaining knowledge, and thinking outside the box.

Openness refers to interest in experience and includes, among other things, exploring new places, gaining knowledge, and thinking outside the box. Mary is open to other viewpoints and trying new methods of solving problems. S/he is likely very flexible, has a broad range of interests, and enjoys indulging his/her imagination. People like him/her are typically liberal and adventurous people, and may be considered free-spirited and creative. S/he would likely be quite comfortable with people who are different from himself/herself, and wouldn’t be afraid to stand out in the crowd.

Perspective (score 92)

Ability to see people and the world from different perspectives.

Mary is a realistic person. S/he is capable of seeing the overall picture and keep events and situations in perspective. In addition, s/he is able to understand points of view that differ from his/her own, and believes in his/her ability to impact his/her experiences.

Curiosity (score 100)

Takes into account the desire and willingness to seek out the unknown.

Mary is a curious person who seeks out information about people and the world in general. S/he often questions events and ideas, and thinks deeply about diverse topics and issues. S/he loves exploring the unknown and actively seeks out novel experiences. S/he is almost always willing to try something new and likely detests predictability.

Interest in Knowledge (score 92)

Refers to the degree to which a person actively seeks out new information.

Mary is informed about the world and may be an expert in one or several domains. S/he has an acute interest in knowledge and is driven to acquire more information and, ultimately, understanding. S/he appreciates and thinks critically about complex concepts and ideas, and enjoys adding to his/her knowledge.

Creative Thinking (score 80)

Refers to the ability to think outside the box.

Mary is resourceful when it comes to solving new and challenging problems. S/he is likely a good brainstormer, able to come up with original thoughts and ideas. S/he enjoys thinking “outside the box and can improvise when necessary.

Individuality (score 58)

Takes into account the extent to which a person is willing to conform.

Mary is neither a conformist nor a total individualist. S/he follows social norms and conventions to a degree, but enjoys expressing his/her individuality in areas that are important to him/her.

Adaptability (score 72)

Refers to the ability to deal with change.

Mary adapts easily to new situations. S/he has an appreciation for change and is willing to rework his/her plans on the basis of new information. Overall, s/he tends to welcome changes to his/her routine.

Agreeableness (score 71)

Refers to general good-naturedness and likeability.

Mary is a fairly agreeable person. People likely find him/her approachable and forgiving most of the time, as s/he is quite good-natured and likeable. High scorers in this factor are cooperative, honest and compassionate. In addition, they are trusting and sincere, and avoid conflict. People like Mary who are generally agreeable have the advantage over less pleasant people, as interaction with others is an unavoidable part of life.

Trust (score 84)

Refers to the degree to which a person is willing to place his or her faith in others.

Mary believes that most people are well-intentioned and fundamentally good. S/he takes people at their word, gives them the benefit of the doubt, and has faith in their abilities. Cynicism is not in his/her nature; to him/her, everyone is trustworthy until proven otherwise.

Authenticity (score 82)

Assesses whether an individual is up-front and sincere.

Mary's results indicate that s/he is frank and sincere, and sees no need for pretense or manipulation. S/he is genuine, straightforward, and true to himself/herself. While s/he is honest to a fault sometimes, others likely value his/her truthful opinions and can count on him/her to tell it like it is. S/he just needs to be sure that when s/he does share his/her thoughts and opinions, particularly if they are potentially hurtful, it is done in a tactful manner.

Willingness to Compromise (score 80)

Ability and desire to accommodate other people’s needs.

Mary dislikes confrontation and is willing to compromise a lot to achieve peace. S/he is compliant and yielding under conflict, and has no problem deferring to others. S/he works toward agreement, even sometimes subordinating personal needs to those of the group in order to achieve harmony. S/he is willing to integrate his/her ideas with those of others, to meet people halfway, and to exert the effort to accommodate others' needs, even if it means abandoning his/her own ideas or wants altogether.

Egoism (score 22)

Tendency to place personal interests before other peoples’.

Mary checks his/her ego at the door and tries to treat everyone as his/her equal. S/he doesn’t like to think of himself/herself as being better than others. S/he is humble and careful not to flaunt his/her accomplishments, and is wiling to at least listen to everyone’s opinion, even if s/he doesn’t agree with it.

Kindness (score 94)

Willingness and desire to help others.

Mary is a caring, nurturing, and supportive person who often performs acts of kindness for others. S/he concerns himself/herself with the well-being of others, and is warm-hearted, generous, and sympathetic. S/he cares for others and it shows in his/her behavior.

Aggressiveness (score 43)

Assesses whether a person is hostile or tends to be much more peaceful and passive.

Mary is neither a passive nor an aggressive person. While s/he is not threatening or hostile, s/he will take a more aggressive stance when the situation calls for it. S/he doesn't create confrontation, but doesn't always withdraw when it occurs.

Competitiveness (score 55)

Extent to which a person desires to be the best.

Mary is a moderately competitive person. While s/he is not driven to be number one, s/he does enjoy winning and strives for success. S/he may not create competition, but will rarely back out of a competitive situation.

Dominance (score 61)

Extent to which a person desires to be in control.

Mary prefers being in control. In a group situation, s/he attempts to determine outcomes and make decisions for everyone. S/he wants most things done his/her way and likely enjoys being in a position of power.

Charm (score 84)

Ability to draw and win over other people.

People are drawn in by Mary's naturally charming ways. They are interested in him/her because s/he shows interest in them and what they have to say. S/he likely tends to be the center of attention because of his/her charisma.

Conscientiousness (score 79)

Refers to a competency and productivity orientation.

Mary is a fairly reliable, disciplined and careful individual. People like him/her who score high in conscientiousness are orderly, rational, and focused. They have high standards and rarely fail to meet them. High scorers in conscientiousness are hard working, productive, and goal-oriented. They are generally rule-abiding and cautious, and rarely careless. A natural tendency towards being responsible, organized and rule-abiding has been shown to be predictive of success in a variety of areas.

Striving (score 86)

Refers to the extent to which a person strives for change and perfection.

Mary is continuously striving for perfection, achievement and improvement. S/he refuses to accept the status quo, and believes that any situation, no matter how good, could always be better. S/he is willing to work hard to effect change and strives to do his/her best in every situation and challenge.

Diligence (score 82)

Ability to set goals and follow through with them.

Mary is a determined and purposeful person. S/he perseveres in meeting goals, and is deliberate and focused. S/he works hard to complete a task properly, always keeping his/her goal in mind and working according to perceived expectations. S/he understands the overall purpose of his/her tasks and projects, and experiences a great sense of pride upon completion.

Organization (score 88)

Ability and willingness to maintain an orderly environment.

Mary is a methodical and orderly person who lives according to routine and schedules. S/he keeps lists, manages time effectively, and likes to make plans well in advance. It is easy for him/her to follow an established process, or create one in the absence of a system. S/he likely budgets money effectively, pays bills on time, keeps an agenda or day timer, and has all his/her activities organized down to the minute.

Dependability (score 96)

Extent to which a person is reliable.

Mary almost always does what s/he says s/he will do. Co-workers can likely count on him/her to keep his/her word and to do a complete and thorough job on any task. S/he is reliable and loyal, and usually keeps his/her promises.

Attention to Detail (score 72)

Ability and willingness to focus on and notice details.

Mary pays close attention to detail, and almost always makes sure to tie up all loose ends before declaring a project complete. S/he is meticulous, and usually spots details or errors that others missed. This may also indicate however, that s/he is also a bit of a perfectionist.

Efficiency (score 84)

Ability to work in a resourceful manner.

Mary is an efficient person who is always looking for ways to save time, energy, or material. S/he is able to prioritize effectively, and can complete his/her tasks in the most time-effective manner without sacrificing quality. S/he is able to create and implement shortcuts into his/her day in order to improve efficiency.

Self-discipline (score 46)

Ability to monitor one’s behavior.

Mary is moderately self-disciplined. While s/he is usually able to overcome reluctance for unpleasant tasks, there are times when s/he fails to motivate himself/herself to accomplish his/her goals. S/he sometimes allows barriers such as fatigue and boredom to push him/her off track.

Validity (score 90)

Assesses the validity and reliability of a person's responses on the test.

Mary's results appear to be an accurate reflection of his/her skills and traits. S/he did not try to respond in a socially-desirable manner, and did not answer the questions in a careless manner.

Impression Management (score 20)

Assesses whether Mary responded to questions in a socially-desirable manner.

This scale assesses to what degree the results on the test are distorted or manipulated. Many people will try to present themselves in a better light, especially if the stakes are high. Mary's answers are compared to responses obtained from a large sample of the general population. When someone systematically selects socially desirable responses that are rarely endorsed by others, there is a good reason to believe that a positive self-presentation bias is at play. A score that is suspiciously high may indicate that Mary was lying, which may invalidate the whole test.

There was little or no indication in Mary's results to suggest that s/he was either lying or trying to present himself/herself in a favorable light. Therefore, his/her results can be seen as accurately reflecting who s/he is.

Acquiescence (score 0)

Assesses whether Mary responded to the questions in a careless manner.

The Acquiescence scale assesses whether a test-taker was simply agreeing with the test’s statements and not paying close attention. According to Mary's results, there is no indication that s/he answered the test questions carelessly. This means that s/he took the time to read and respond to each question carefully. Although this does not necessarily ensure the honesty of his/her answers, it does show that s/he took the test seriously.