The 16 PF (personality factors) are, in alphabetical order:
A – Warmth
Warmth is the preference for interpersonal closeness and empathy, and inclination to present an approachable exterior.
Low Warmth | High Warmth |
• Shields self from world, appears aloof • Solution-focused advice and suggestions • Prefers action and results over camaraderie • May appear emotionless or tyrannical when angered • Minds own business |
• Considers needs of others first • Feeling-focused advice and comfort • People-oriented • Giving and caring, attuned to emotional states • Outward, smiley expression |
B – Reasoning
Reasoning is the use of quantitative measures to arrive at several different conclusions, and considering possible extraneous variables.
Low Reasoning | High Reasoning |
• More inclined to go with hunches or gut instinct • Emotions play a more central role in action • Looks for qualitative over quantitative proof • Focuses on abstract over the concrete • Lower general IQ |
• Needs evidence, facts, and statistics to consider a point • Sees correlations and cause-effect analyses • Considers multiple points of view • Inclined to take time to consider options and alternatives • Higher general IQ |
C – Emotional Stability
Emotional stability is the ability to keep cool under times of stress or uncertainty, and put data over feelings.
Low Emotional Stability | High Emotional Stability |
• Self-esteem issues • Emotional breakdowns • Physiological symptoms: diarrhea, aches, pains • Unstable relationships • Fluctuating mood; artistic inclinations |
• Calm, able to regulate emotions • Patient and accepting • Stoic outlook, sees more than one angle • Long-term goals in sight • Level-headed in face of adversity or failure |
E – Dominance
Dominance is more than control or force, it’s a method of asserting power over a situation and being proactive.
Low Dominance | High Dominance |
• Obedient, docile • Shies away from conflict and confrontations • Humble, lets others take the lead • Deferential and cognizant of respect for higher-uppers • Seeks out partners and/or friends who can take charge |
• Competitive, forceful • May see life as a zero-sum game: only winners and losers • Aggressive, all-or-nothing approach • Intense and passionate • Takes on (and assumes) positions of leadership |
F – Liveliness
Liveliness is the outwardly expressive energy and action—the drive to keep excitement levels high.
Low Liveliness | High Liveliness |
• Serious and withdrawn • Sober and controlled • Introspective • Prudent in dealing with matters • Less emotionally expressive; stoic expressions |
• Enjoys the limelight • Expressive, outward energy • Dramatic reactions to events and news • Seeks out adrenaline-increasing activities • Impulsive and spontaneous |
G – Rule-Consciousness
Rule-consciousness is the drive to uphold pre-established rules and systems and expect the community to do the same.
Low Rule-Consciousness | High Rule-Consciousness |
• Breaks rules when perceived as senseless or illogical • Makes decisions on a whim, gives little value to norms • Sees others as equals • Avoids meritocracy and bureaucracy • Prefers decentralized structures |
• Values laws and order • Positive outlook toward official authority • Inclined to give merit to accolades and status • Expects others to follow pre-established paths • Moralistic and values-driven |
H – Social Boldness
Social boldness is the inclination to initiate social gatherings and quickly establish familial relationships from the get-go.
Low Social Boldness | High Social Boldness |
• Passive and reactive when socializing • Comfortable with enjoying self alone and/or with a few close friends • Hypervigilant to (real or perceived) threats from social environment • Shy and prefers to steer clear of extensive socializing • Intimidated by those of high status or popularity; may struggle with self-esteem |
• Initiates most plans and activities • Asks more questions in conversation, changes topic as necessary • Actively seeks out opportunities to connect with others • Large number of friends and acquaintances • Uses more social media platforms* |
I – Sensitivity
Sensitivity is the tendency to be swayed and affected by emotions and feelings—and deeply experiencing them all.
Low Sensitivity | High Sensitivity |
• Rigid and unmoved by conflict • Tough-minded • Can take constructive criticism and mean comments • Objective and focused on goals • Little consideration for beating around the bush |
• Aesthetically aware and appreciative • Accurately reads non-verbal cues • Nostalgic and sentimental • Attuned to emotional states of self and others • Tender and forgiving |
L – Vigilance
Vigilance is the tendency to possess a cautious outlook toward life events and skepticism towards peoples’ motives and intentions.
Low Vigilance | High Vigilance |
• Trusting and accommodating • Assumes honesty in others • Can be naive and “tricked” easily • Trusts first impressions • Unconditionally giving and considering |
• Skeptical of others’ motives • May harbor passive-aggressive hostility • Suspicious, prone to second thoughts • Distrustful until proven otherwise • Paranoia when taken to extremes |
M – Abstractedness
Abstractedness is the communication style of metaphors and long-winded analogies to make a point—reading between the lines.
Low Abstractedness | High Abstractedness |
• Prefers dealing with sensory details; what is tangible and measurable • Works best with tried-and-true facts • Direct in speech and mannerisms • Pragmatic and down-to-earth • Interpolates, uses known data |
• Deals best with symbolism, ideas, and constructs • Understands hidden messages of various artistic mediums • Infers and visualizes the future • Thrives when solving complex problems • Extrapolates, makes predictions |
N – Privateness
Privateness marks the tendency to withhold revealing information and protect oneself with metaphorical walls.
Low Privateness | High Privateness |
• Emotionally expressive • “Open book” style of conversation • Shares experiences and thoughts • Difficulty keeping secrets from others • Usually sociable and outgoing, although there are exceptions |
• Skeptical and wary of others • Secret thoughts kept inside • Prefers to deal with issues alone • Little to no revealing information about self in conversations • Has a seemingly impenetrable aura of mysteriousness |
O – Apprehension
Apprehension is the fear of the future and use of coping mechanisms (e.g. rationalization, projection) to calm uneasy feelings.
Low Apprehension | High Apprehension |
• Complacent and self-assured • Secure and guilt-free • Easily satisfied and at ease • Confident and grounded • Self-aware of shortcomings and areas for improvement |
• Prone to rumination and self-blame • Low self-esteem, insecure • Anxious and on edge • Guilty and self-defeating • Worrying about possible catastrophes |
Q1 – Openness to Change
Openness to change describes the willingness to accept new viewpoints, changes in plan, and the general lifestyle of keeping options open.
Low Openness to Change | High Openness to Change |
• Prefers routine and stability • “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” • Conservative political attitudes • Goes with what’s tried and true • Basks and thrives in comfort zone |
• Daring, experimental • Tries new foods and activities • Liberal political attitudes • Change-oriented • Feels discomfort in comfort |
Q2 – Self-Reliance
Self-reliance is the preference for autonomy and control over personal decisions and actions; holding only oneself accountable for results.
Low Self-Reliance | High Self-Reliance |
• Feels anxiety when making critical life decisions • External locus of control • Prefers support of a community • More at ease consulting others to make a decision • If severe, may have signs of dependent personality disorder |
• Independent and comfortable with being solo • Internal locus of control • Takes responsibility for decisions • Makes contingency plans in case • Focuses on future in a positive light |
Q3 – Perfectionism
Perfectionism is the pressing need to uphold high standards in work, relationships, and life in general—with every detail under control.
Low Perfectionism | High Perfectionism |
• Focuses on big-picture thinking • Often makes “careless” mistakes • Doesn’t sweat the details • Prefers others to handle minutiae • Lax and tolerant of disorder |
• Detail-oriented • Prone to stress and burnout • Time-sensitive • Pressure to attain “perfection” • Ruminates about what could have been done better |
Q4 – Tension
Tension is the psychological tug and pull between the past and the future, which often manifests into physical symptoms, such as headaches.
Low Tension | High Tension |
• “Let it be” attitude • Mindful of the present moment • Sees time as a free-flowing concept • Laid-back, “chill” and easygoing • Takes change with ease |
• Physiological symptoms: headaches, sweat, shaky hands • Pulled between the past and the future • Aims to control time and resources (e.g. energy) • May become frazzled with change • May develop into chronic conditions such as high blood pressure |
16PF: A Summary of Factors
- A – Warmth
- B – Reasoning
- C – Emotional Stability
- E – Dominance
- F – Liveliness
- G – Rule-Consciousness
- H – Social Boldness
- I – Sensitivity
- L – Vigilance
- M – Abstractedness
- N – Privateness
- O – Apprehension
- Q1 – Openness to Change
- Q2 – Self-Reliance
- Q3 – Perfectionism
- Q4 – Tension
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