Openness to experience: the trait of exceptional personalities

The study of personality has always aroused great interest on the part of researchers, while at the same time it has aroused curiosity in people who are not versed. Human beings tend to categorize ourselves and our fellow human beings based on different attitudes and traits. This is how one of the main personality classifications emerged, of which the trait we are dealing with today is a part: openness to experience.

We could say that This is the characteristic hallmark of those individuals who are curious, open and eager for emotions.. Those people that we all know who are hungry for knowledge, with multiple interests and who always have something to contribute and learn. Do you want to discover in more depth how this trait manifests itself? Coming up next, we tell you.

Openness to experience, one of the big five

The Big Five model is one of the main taxonomies or schemes used to understand and classify personality. It arose from research carried out by Goldberg and gave rise to the following attributes:

Openness to experience. Responsibility. Kindness. Extraversion. Neuroticism.

Today we want to deal with the first of them, given that it is one of the least known in general. However, It is a quality that significantly shapes personality and that provides those who possess it with certain advantages.

What does openness to experience consist of?

On the one hand, people with high openness to experience are fluid, flexible, and creative. They seek new stimuli, new knowledge and emotions. Thus, they embrace change and open themselves to different ways of thinking and proceeding.

On the contrary, Those who score low on this personality dimension are more closed and less tolerant individuals.. People attached to tradition and routine, and with more conventional thinking. In general, this trait encompasses the following aspects.

In what aspects does it manifest itself?

Fancy. People who score high in this dimension are creative, imaginative and have a rich inner world.. They also have divergent thinking and are capable of associating ideas without apparent connection, always finding new ways of proceeding. Furthermore, creativity is not limited to the artistic level. Great scientists and professionals from all fields with an innovative vision, show high openness to experience, intelligence and knowledge. These individuals show great intellectual curiosity. They are people with a tendency to get involved in analyzing ideas and searching for answers. For this reason, they remain in a constant search for knowledge and are open to different points of view. In addition, they have multiple and diverse interests and enjoy learning.Aesthetics. Appreciation for art, music and the surrounding beauty is very characteristic of this type of personality. They seem to be more capable of enjoying episodes of mindfulness and entering flow states. They are more likely to engage fully with the present moment and feel absorbed in the activity they are doing.Feelings. They appear more connected to their internal states and have a high capacity for introspection. Thus, They are not afraid to get in touch with their emotions and allow themselves to feel them in their entirety.Values. They are more open to different points of view and are more likely to question any dogma or belief, even their own. Thus, they do not submit to authority of any kind without examining the values ​​they hold.Actions. Of course, they are more open to trying new experiences and activities; They are willing to try new flavors, learn about different cultures and leave their comfort zone.. In short, they seek stimulation and embrace change.

Exceptional personalities

Do you know someone with this personality trait? Do you recognize yourself in the previous definitions? Openness to experience is the characteristic of visionaries, of innovative and open people, of those who bring changes. They are those capable of analyzing, reflecting and re-examining everything that is considered valid before accepting it; They are what drive curiosity, knowledge and advancement.

This people They experience positive affects more frequently and therefore enjoy greater life satisfaction.. They are an example that it is worth opening up, awakening our curiosity and facing the fear that change may generate in us.

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