Honesty-Humility: Persons with high scores on the Honesty scale tend to avoid manipulating others for personal gain, feel little temptation to break rules, be uninterested in possessing lavish wealth and luxuries, and feel no special entitlement to elevated social status or privilege. Conversely, persons with low scores on this scale tend to feel a strong sense of self-importance, be motivated by material gain, feel tempted to “bend” laws for personal profit, and to flatter others when this may be successful.

Emotionality: Persons with high scores on the Emotionality scale tend to experience fear of physical dangers, experience anxiety in response to life’s stresses, feel a need for emotional support from others, and to feel sentimental attachments and empathic concern for others. Conversely, persons with low scores on this scale tend to feel rather unemotional, detached, and independent with regard to their personal relationships, and to feel little anxiety or fear even under stressful or frightening circumstances.

Extraversion: Persons with high scores on the Extraversion scale tend to feel confident when leading or addressing groups of people, enjoy social gatherings and interactions, feel positive about themselves, and experience positive feelings of enthusiasm and energy. Conversely, persons with low scores tend to be rather reserved, feel awkward when they are the centre of social attention, consider themselves unpopular, be somewhat less lively than others, and be rather indifferent to social activities.

Agreeableness: Persons with high scores on the Agreeableness scale tend to compromise and cooperate with others, be lenient in judging others, remain patient and easily control their temper, and forgive the wrongs that one has suffered. Conversely, persons with low scores tend to feel anger readily in response to mistreatment, bear grudges against those who have insulted or deceived them, be rather critical of others’ shortcomings, and be stubborn in defending one’s point of view.

Conscientiousness: Persons with high scores on the Conscientiousness scale tend to organize things (both time and physical surroundings), work in a disciplined way toward one’s goals, strive for accuracy and perfection in one’s tasks, and deliberate carefully when making decisions. Conversely, persons with low scores tend to be unconcerned with orderly surroundings or schedules, avoid difficult tasks or challenging goals, be satisfied with work that contains some errors, and make decisions on impulse or with little reflection.

Openness to Experience: Persons with high scores on the Openness to Experience scale tend to become absorbed in the beauty of art and nature, feel intellectual curiosity in various domains of knowledge, use one’s imagination freely in everyday life, and take an interest in unusual ideas or people. Conversely, persons with low scores tend to be rather unimpressed by most works of art, feel little interest in the natural or social sciences, avoid creative pursuits, and feel little attraction toward ideas that may seem radical or unconventional.

The Altruism (versus Antagonism) scale assesses a tendency to be sympathetic and soft-hearted toward others. High scorers avoid causing harm and react with generosity toward those who are weak or in need of help, whereas low scorers are not upset by the prospect of hurting others and may be seen as hard-hearted.

The Proactivity scale assesses a tendency to actively tackle problems and pursue changes, improvements, and innovations. High scorers are very involved in new plans and often take the lead to get new ideas accomplished, whereas low scorers tend to have a ‘wait and see’ mentality when suggestions are raised for improvement and are less likely to take initiative or take the lead when opportunities arise to create and implement innovations.

Honesty-Humility:

The Sincerity scale assesses a tendency to be genuine in interpersonal relations. Low scorers will flatter others or pretend to like them to obtain favours, whereas high scorers are unwilling to manipulate others.

The Fairness scale assesses a tendency to avoid fraud and corruption. Low scorers are willing to gain by cheating or stealing, whereas high scorers are unwilling to take advantage of other individuals or society at large.

The Greed Avoidance scale assesses a tendency to be uninterested in possessing lavish wealth, luxury goods, and signs of high social status. Low scorers want to enjoy and display wealth and privilege, whereas high scorers are not especially motivated by monetary or social-status considerations.

The Modesty scale assesses a tendency to be modest and unassuming. Low scorers consider themselves as superior and entitled to privileges that others do not have, whereas high scorers view themselves as ordinary people without any claim to special treatment.

Emotionality:

The Fearfulness scale assesses a tendency to experience fear. Low scorers feel little fear of injury and are relatively tough, brave, and insensitive to physical pain, whereas high scorers are strongly inclined to avoid physical harm.

The Anxiety scale assesses a tendency to worry in a variety of contexts. Low scorers feel little stress in response to difficulties, whereas high scorers tend to become preoccupied even with relatively minor problems.

The Dependence scale assesses one’s need for emotional support from others. Low scorers feel self-assured and able to deal with problems without any help or advice, whereas high scorers want to share their difficulties with those who will provide encouragement and comfort.

The Sentimentality scale assesses a tendency to feel strong emotional bonds with others. Low scorers feel little emotion when saying goodbye or in reaction to the concerns of others, whereas high scorers feel strong emotional attachments and an empathic sensitivity to the feelings of others.

Extraversion:

The Social Self-Esteem scale assesses a tendency to have positive self-regard, particularly in social contexts. High scorers are generally satisfied with themselves and consider themselves to have likeable qualities, whereas low scorers tend to have a sense of personal worthlessness and see themselves as unpopular.

The Social Boldness scale assesses one’s comfort or confidence within a variety of social situations. Low scorers feel shy or awkward in positions of leadership or when speaking in public, whereas high scorers are willing to approach strangers and are willing to speak up within group settings.

The Sociability scale assesses a tendency to enjoy conversation, social interaction, and parties. Low scorers generally prefer solitary activities and do not seek out conversation, whereas high scorers enjoy talking, visiting, and celebrating with others.

The Liveliness scale assesses one’s typical enthusiasm and energy. Low scorers tend not to feel especially cheerful or dynamic, whereas high scorers usually experience a sense of optimism and high spirits.

Agreeableness:

The Forgiveness scale assesses one’s willingness to feel trust and liking toward those who may have caused one harm. Low scorers tend “hold a grudge” against those who have offended them, whereas high scorers are usually ready to trust others again and re-establish friendly relations after having been treated badly.

The Gentleness scale assesses a tendency to be mild and lenient when dealing with people. Low scorers tend to be critical in their evaluations of others, whereas high scorers are reluctant to judge others harshly.

The Flexibility scale assesses one’s willingness to compromise and cooperate with others. Low scorers are seen as stubborn and argumentative, whereas high scorers avoid arguments and accommodate others’ suggestions, even when these may be unreasonable.

The Patience scale assesses a tendency to remain calm rather than become angry. Low scorers tend to lose their tempers quickly, whereas high scorers have a high threshold for feeling or expressing anger.

Conscientiousness:

The Organization scale assesses a tendency to seek order, particularly in one’s physical surroundings. Low scorers tend to be sloppy and haphazard, whereas high scorers keep things tidy and prefer a structured approach to tasks.

The Diligence scale assesses a tendency to work hard. Low scorers have little self-discipline and are not strongly motivated to achieve, whereas high scorers have a strong “work ethic” and are willing to exert themselves.

The Perfectionism scale assesses a tendency to be thorough and concerned with details. Low scorers tolerate some errors in their work and tend to neglect details, whereas high scorers check carefully for mistakes and potential improvements.

The Prudence scale assesses a tendency to deliberate carefully and to inhibit impulses. Low scorers act on impulse and tend not to consider consequences, whereas high scorers consider their options carefully and tend to be cautious and self-controlled.

Openness to Experience:

The Aesthetic Appreciation scale assesses one’s enjoyment of beauty in art and nature. Low scorers tend not to become absorbed in works of art or natural wonders, whereas high scorers have a strong appreciation of various art forms and natural wonders.

The Inquisitiveness scale assesses a tendency to seek information about and experience with the world. Low scorers have little curiosity about the natural or social sciences, whereas high scorers read widely and are interested in travel.

The Creativity scale assesses one’s preference for innovation and experiment. Low scorers have little inclination for original thought, whereas high scorers actively seek new solutions to problems and express themselves in art.

The Unconventionality scale assesses a tendency to accept the unusual. Low scorers avoid eccentric or nonconforming persons, whereas high scorers are receptive to ideas that might seem strange or radical.

De Vries, R. E., Wawoe, K. W., & Holtrop, D. J. (2016). What is Engagement? Proactivity as the missing link in the HEXACO model of personality. Journal of Personality, 84(2), 178-193. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12150