Neuroticism

Neuroticism is a fundamental personality trait in the study of psychology characterized by anxiety, moodiness, worry, envy and jealousy. Individuals who score high on neuroticism are more likely than average to be moody and to experience such feelings as anxiety, worry, fear, anger, frustration, envy, jealousy, guilt, depressed mood, and loneliness.

Overview

Neuroticism is one of the Big Five personality traits identified by psychologists. It is typically defined by the level of emotional instability an individual may experience. People with high levels of neuroticism may have a higher tendency to experience negative emotions and are often seen as emotionally unstable or over-reactive.

Characteristics

Individuals with high neuroticism scores are more likely to experience feelings such as anxiety, anger, envy, guilt, and depressed mood. They respond more poorly to stressors, are more likely to interpret ordinary situations as threatening, and minor frustrations as hopelessly difficult. They are often self-conscious and shy, and they may have trouble controlling urges and delaying gratification.

Measurement

Neuroticism is typically assessed using self-report measures, although peer-reports and third-party observation can also be used. Self-report measures are either lexical or based on statements. The most common measures are the Big Five Inventory (BFI), the NEO PI-R, and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ).

See also

• Big Five personality traits
• Personality psychology
• Trait theory