The two most common methods for assessing a personality are the Myers-Brigs Type Indicator and the Big Five Personality Model. Of the two, the MBTI is the most widely used. However, it is the Big Five Model which has the most supporting evidence. A key flaw with MBTI is that is classifies personality as one or the other, and there is no in-between. For instance, a person assessed with the MBTI is classified as either thinking or feelings despite the fact that many people possess both traits to a certain degree. This is not present in the Big Five Model. Most evidence does not support MBTI’s validity as a reliable assessment of personality.

The Big Five personality model is composed of five factors. The five factors are extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability and openness to experience. Extraversion is ones openness to human interactions. Extraverts are social, enjoy meeting others and are socially assertive. Introverts are the exact opposite, and tend to be reserved and shy. Agreeableness is based on the ability to agree and accommodate. An agreeable person is cooperative, warm and adaptable. Perhaps, the most prominent is conscientiousness which is defined as a measure of reliability. Those who are conscientiousness, are reliable, organized and have a keen attention to detail. Emotional stability is one ability to manage stressful situations. Those with high emotional stability are better able to withstand stress than those with low emotional stability. Finally, openness to experience is based on one interest, and curiosity