This document discusses a study investigating how the Big 5 personality traits may affect participation in open online environments. The Big 5 model categorizes personality into 5 dimensions: extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness. The study aims to understand how these personality traits relate to inclusion and participation online. Previous research has found personality expression decreases online compared to offline for some traits. The proposed study will involve participants completing a personality assessment then discussing their experiences with open online environments. Results could inform how personality impacts inclusion in such spaces.

1. Debbie Meakin, Hull College
Theme: Inclusion
The Big 5 personality traits: do they
affect our participation with the
open environment?
Big 5 is also known as the Five-factor
model of personality (FFM)

2. Introduction
The accessibility of online environments is a general
entitlement to being inclusive (TechDis). Inclusion
can be considered from many points of view.
Traditionally specific characteristics are taken into
account, as they present barriers to online access.
In a similar way other aspects of the individual may
present barriers.
Personality of an individual is one such area and has
been the subject of related studies (Bloomer &
Doering (2012), Scealy et al, 2002).

3. Outcomes of the study
An understanding of the relevance of personality to
inclusion for online and open environments will be
investigated.
This study proposes to look at extending previous
work on online studies and consider whether
aspects of being involved with the open
environment might affect participation through
behaviour (or personality).
From this, the applicability of personality in open
environment studies may also inform
implementation work.

4. Personality is organised into 5
dimensions or traits by psychologists
• The five-factor model (FFM )has five areas known
as dimensions and these are, extraversion,
agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism
and openness to experience.
• The five dimensions are agreed among
psychologists as being stable (McCrae and John,
1992) and this has enabled the use of this system
as a basis for comparison, sharing and
understanding across many studies.

5. The five dimensions
(FFM or big 5)
EXTROVERSION:
Active, Energetic,
Outgoing, Talkative
AGREEABLENESS:
Appreciative,
Generous,
Sympathetic, Trusting
NEUROTICISM:
Anxious, Tense,
Unstable, Worrying
CONSCIENTIOUSNESS:
Efficient, Organised,
Reliable, Thorough
OPENNESS:
Artistic, Curious,
Imaginative, Wide
interests

6. Previous studies
• Personality expression when working online has been
investigated (Blumer and Doering, 2012). Four of the
personality areas affected behaviour online less than
offline (see Fig 1).
• Shyness and anxiety have also been suggested as
having an effect online. Although Scealy, Phillips &
Stevenson (2002) found that this did not relate to email
use or chat rooms.
• Tsao (2013) found that openness is a positive factor
online for entertainment, social relationships and
communication while agreeableness has a negative
impact on communication.

7. Behaviour influence decreases online
(Blumer and Doering 2012)
Figure 1: Results of a study by Blumer and Doering (2012) using the big 5 personality to
Compare outcomes offline and online. (Figure 2, Cyberpsychology: 6(3), article 5).

8. Methodology – the big 5
• The use of a questionnaire which includes
questions on each dimension is used to give
feedback on personality. These can be accessed
online as there are a number of sites which can
be used freely to give this information.
• Alternative formats are available – widely and
also online.
• This method of questionnaire use is identified as
self-reporting or self-rating.

9. Study approach next stages
• The next stage of the study involves participants from a
variety of backgrounds contributing their opinions from
their own experience.
• Participants are initially invited to do a personality test
(online or otherwise). This will give an appreciation of the
‘big 5’ from personal experience (but is also optional).
• Based on a series of categories or questions on open
environment working participants are then asked to
contribute to a discussion (using different formats)
including being involved in a workshop. (This activity could
form an ethnographic piece as an output, click on this link
for more*)

10. References
• McCrae, RR; John, OP; (1992). An Introduction to the
Five-Factor Model and Its Applications.
•
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CD8QFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2F
psych.colorado.edu%2F~carey%2FCourses%2FPSYC5112%2FReadings%2FpsnBig5_Mccrae03.pdf&ei=4hbHUovxDZTH7AaMq
oDABw&usg=AFQjCNGf_-UV-3TS0jWXnyJ-TKEXVH5QAw&sig2=BAPiZbbKF6pF-Kg8iVOW5Q&bvm=bv.58187178,d.ZGU
• Scealy, M; Phillips, JG; Stevenson, R . (2002). Shyness
and anxiety as predictors of patterns of Internet usage.
CYBERPSYCHOLOGY & BEHAVIOR; Dec, 2002; 5; 6; p506
– p515.
• TechDis
• McCrae & John 1992
• Tsao 2013
• Questionnaire sites

11. Alternative formats
• Audio
• pdf file of slide show transcript
• pdf file of Prezi transcript