Which Big Five trait is most linked to emotional instability and susceptibility to negative affect?

Which Big Five trait is most linked to emotional instability and susceptibility to negative affect?

• A. Neuroticism (low emotional stability)
• B. Agreeableness
• C. Extraversion
• D. Conscientiousness

Answer: (A)

Emotional instability and susceptibility to negative affect are best captured by a dimension that measures how prone someone is to distress and negative emotions. In the Big Five, neuroticism describes emotional reactivity and a tendency to experience anxiety, moodiness, and sadness, especially under stress. Higher neuroticism means lower emotional stability and more frequent negative affect. The other traits describe different aspects—Agreeableness is about being cooperative and kind, Extraversion about sociability and energy, and Conscientiousness about organization and self-discipline—so they don’t align as directly with the tendency toward negative emotions that neuroticism does.

Emotional instability and susceptibility to negative affect are best captured by a dimension that measures how prone someone is to distress and negative emotions. In the Big Five, neuroticism describes emotional reactivity and a tendency to experience anxiety, moodiness, and sadness, especially under stress. Higher neuroticism means lower emotional stability and more frequent negative affect. The other traits describe different aspects—Agreeableness is about being cooperative and kind, Extraversion about sociability and energy, and Conscientiousness about organization and self-discipline—so they don’t align as directly with the tendency toward negative emotions that neuroticism does.