ipip-neo test - neuroticism

The second to last part of my IPIP-NEO Personality test results...

I'm sure this is the one people have been wondering about, after Extraversion, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness... here's...

Neuroticism - 99%

Your score on Neuroticism is high, indicating that you are easily upset, even by what most people consider the normal demands of living. People consider you to be sensitive and emotional.

Freud originally used the term neurosis to describe a condition marked by mental distress, emotional suffering, and an inability to cope effectively with the normal demands of life. He suggested that everyone shows some signs of neurosis, but that we differ in our degree of suffering and our specific symptoms of distress. Today neuroticism refers to the tendency to experience negative feelings. Those who score high on Neuroticism may experience primarily one specific negative feeling such as anxiety, anger, or depression, but are likely to experience several of these emotions. People high in neuroticism are emotionally reactive. They respond emotionally to events that would not affect most people, and their reactions tend to be more intense than normal. They are more likely to interpret ordinary situations as threatening, and minor frustrations as hopelessly difficult. Their negative emotional reactions tend to persist for unusually long periods of time, which means they are often in a bad mood. These problems in emotional regulation can diminish a neurotic's ability to think clearly, make decisions, and cope effectively with stress.

At the other end of the scale, individuals who score low in neuroticism are less easily upset and are less emotionally reactive. They tend to be calm, emotionally stable, and free from persistent negative feelings. Freedom from negative feelings does not mean that low scorers experience a lot of positive feelings; frequency of positive emotions is a component of the Extraversion domain.

How can any one person be that neurotic and not be Woody Allen... well, let's look at the subdomains, shall we...

Anxiety - 90%

The "fight-or-flight" system of the brain of anxious individuals is too easily and too often engaged. Therefore, people who are high in anxiety often feel like something dangerous is about to happen. They may be afraid of specific situations or be just generally fearful. They feel tense, jittery, and nervous. Persons low in Anxiety are generally calm and fearless. Your level of anxiety is high.

Yeah... I'm not going to argue with this one... that's actually pretty accurate... when I'm out of my "safe zone" I worry about what might happen...

Anger - 99%

Persons who score high in Anger feel enraged when things do not go their way. They are sensitive about being treated fairly and feel resentful and bitter when they feel they are being cheated. This scale measures the tendency to feel angry; whether or not the person expresses annoyance and hostility depends on the individual's level on Agreeableness. Low scorers do not get angry often or easily. Your level of anger is high.

Yup... another true one... although I will say that even though my Agreeableness score was 0%, I'm a lot better at actually dealing with and controlling my crankypants moments than I used to be...

Depression - 93%

This scale measures the tendency to feel sad, dejected, and discouraged. High scorers lack energy and have difficult initiating activities. Low scorers tend to be free from these depressive feelings. Your level of depression is high.

Yep... it's kinda even more depressing that I'm not really arguing with any of these...

Self-Consciousness - 93%

Self-conscious individuals are sensitive about what others think of them. Their concern about rejection and ridicule cause them to feel shy and uncomfortable abound others. They are easily embarrassed and often feel ashamed. Their fears that others will criticize or make fun of them are exaggerated and unrealistic, but their awkwardness and discomfort may make these fears a self-fulfilling prophecy. Low scorers, in contrast, do not suffer from the mistaken impression that everyone is watching and judging them. They do not feel nervous in social situations. Your level or self-consciousness is high.

Yep... true again... although I think in this case it's one of those things where if you've been made to feel self-conscious enough as a kid by other kids, then it does become a self-fulfilling prophecy...

Immoderation - 94%

Immoderate individuals feel strong cravings and urges that they have difficulty resisting. They tend to be oriented toward short-term pleasures and rewards rather than long-term consequences. Low scorers do not experience strong, irresistible cravings and consequently do not find themselves tempted to overindulge. Your level of immoderation is high.

Okay, I'm about 50/50 on this one... yes, I do have strong cravings and yes, I do have difficulty resisting them sometimes... but I think I actually do pretty well at resisting some things... like the whole "not eating after 8:30pm" thing... there have been a lot of instances where I've wanted to cave in, but didn't...

Vulnerability - 99%

High scorers on Vulnerability experience panic, confusion, and helplessness when under pressure or stress. Low scorers feel more poised, confident, and clear-thinking when stressed. Your level of vulnerability is high.

This is another 50/50 one... yeah I panic and go all to pieces under stress, but I still get the job done most of the time... and I usually save all my panicking for before whatever it is happens, so when it's actually happening, I'm okay...

So there we go... that's the bundle of neurosis that is me...

Tomorrow: The final subdomain, Openness to Experience

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