Question

An EMT sees himself as a bit of a rebel, but is highly sociable and is able to keep calm in an emergency. This person would likely score in the lower range of which of the following traits? (A) Psychoticism (B) Neuroticism (C) Extraversion (D) Conscientiousness

Short answer

B) Neuroticism

Step-by-step solution

Understand Trait Definitions

First, let's understand what each of the traits means:(A) Psychoticism refers to aggressiveness and interpersonal hostility.(B) Neuroticism is the tendency to experience emotional instability, anxiety, moodiness, and irritability.(C) Extraversion is characterized by sociability, talkativeness, assertiveness, and high amounts of emotional expressiveness.(D) Conscientiousness involves being diligent, careful, or vigilant; it often entails being organized and responsible.

Analyze the EMT’s Characteristics

The EMT is described as sociable and able to remain calm in emergencies. This indicates they are likely high in Extraversion (sociable) and low in Neuroticism (calm in stressful situations). The description says nothing about organization or diligence, so Conscientiousness is not relevant in this context.

Identify the Lower Trait Range

The question asks for the trait in which the EMT would score in the lower range. Given that keeping calm is the opposite of emotional instability, the EMT would score lower in Neuroticism.

Key concepts

Neuroticism

Neuroticism is one of the Big Five personality traits in psychology. It refers to the tendency to experience negative emotions, such as anxiety, anger, or depression. People who score high in neuroticism often feel inadequate, insecure, and self-conscious. These individuals may easily get upset or stressed. They tend to dwell on negative aspects of their experiences. In contrast, someone with low neuroticism, like the EMT described in the exercise, remains calm and composed even in stressful situations. Lower neuroticism is associated with emotional stability and resilience.

Extraversion

Extraversion pertains to how outgoing and social an individual is. High extraversion is characterized by energy, positive emotions, and the need for external stimulation. Highly extroverted individuals are talkative, assertive, and highly emotional. They enjoy being around other people and thrive in situations where interaction is key. For the EMT in the exercise, being sociable aligns well with high extraversion. Extroverts often excel in roles that require constant communication and interaction with others.

Psychoticism

Psychoticism refers to traits like aggressiveness and a lack of empathy. Someone with high levels of psychoticism might behave antisocially or find it difficult to form long-lasting relationships. They are often impulsive, egocentric, and inconsiderate of others’ feelings. Although the EMT describes themselves as a rebel, other traits such as sociability and emotional calmness suggest they do not score high in psychoticism. Compared to the other traits, psychoticism is less commonly used in personality assessments today but remains relevant in understanding extreme behaviors.

Conscientiousness

Conscientiousness is one of the Big Five traits and involves self-discipline, carefulness, and a goal-oriented nature. Individuals who score high in conscientiousness are reliable, organized, and efficient. They tend to plan ahead, follow rules, and maintain a sense of duty. Conversely, those who score low may lack direction and be more carefree and less diligent. The EMT’s description does not highlight aspects related to conscientiousness explicitly. However, understanding this trait can help in determining how methodical or spontaneous a person might be.