If you have ever booked a safari, you know to what the term, The Big Five, refers. The phrase was originally coined by early game hunters who recognized that these species were the hardest and most dangerous animals to hunt on foot, thus, making them the biggest prizes, and, hence, labeled the Big Five. Today, the phrase refers to the most sought-after-safari-sightings. These include the African leopard, the African elephant, the African cape buffalo, the African rhinoceros and the African lion.

 But, did you know that The Big Five also refers to the five basic dimensions of personality?  These are also known as the big five personality traits. These include; extraversion, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism.

 "You might find it helpful to use the acronym OCEAN (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism) when trying to remember the big five traits. CANOE (for concienciousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, openness, and extraversion) is another commonly used acronym."

 I found it very interesting once I saw the breakdown of each trait. See how you rate among these attributes:

 "Openness

 This trait features characteristics such as imagination and insight. People who are high in this trait also tend to have a broad range of interests. They are curious about the world and other people and eager to learn new things and enjoy new experiences.

 People who are high in this trait tend to be more adventurous and creative. People low in this trait are often much more traditional and may struggle with abstract thinking.

 Conscientiousness

 Standard features of this dimension include high levels of thoughtfulness, good impulse control, and goal-directed behaviors. Highly conscientious people tend to be organized and mindful of details. They plan ahead, think about how their behavior affects others, and are mindful of deadlines.
 

 Extraversion

 Extraversion (or extroversion) is characterized by excitability, sociability, talkativeness, assertiveness, and high amounts of emotional expressiveness. People who are high in extraversion are outgoing and tend to gain energy in social situations. Being around other people helps them feel energized and excited.

 People who are low in extraversion (or introverted) tend to be more reserved and have less energy to expend in social settings. Social events can feel draining and introverts often require a period of solitude and quiet in order to "recharge."

 Agreeableness

 This personality dimension includes attributes such as trust, altruism, kindness, affection, and other prosocial behaviors. People who are high in agreeableness tend to be more cooperative while those low in this trait tend to be more competitive and sometimes even manipulative.

 Neuroticism

 Neuroticism is a trait characterized by sadness, moodiness, and emotional instability.

 Individuals who are high in this trait tend to experience mood swings, anxiety, irritability, and sadness. Those low in this trait tend to be more stable and emotionally resilient."

 Personality affects and influences us all. Knowing these traits may help us to be more socially responsible, helping us to become more selfless and more sensitive to the needs of those around us.

 Based on the article, The Big Five Personality Traits 5 Major factors of Personality by Kendra Cherry, MS, author and educational consultant.

 Images courtesy and copyright of Andreas Berlin, Nam Anh, Charl Durand, David Clode, Amar Yashlaha of Unsplash.com.