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IPIP Items

The following descriptions are derived from the IPIP items for the 16PF.

Assertiveness

High: Take charge. Vocal. Comfortable with giving criticism.
Low: Let others lead. Don't challenge decisions. May get pushed around.

Gregariousness

High: Life of the party. Jokers. Love crowds. Amuse their friends. Act wild and crazy.
Low: Rarely joke around. Don't like crowds. Do not laugh readily. Dislike loud music.

Friendliness

High: Comfortable around others. Talk to lots of people at parties. Don't mind being the centre of attention. Make friends easily. Chatty.
Low: Find it hard to approach others. Feel uncomfortable around others. Have little to say, especially around strangers. Hang in the background.

Reserve

High: Hard to get to know. Keep thoughts and feelings to themselves.
Low: Happy to share their thoughts and feelings.

Introversion

High: Value privacy, quiet and time alone. 
Low: Like to be part of a group. Enjoy team work. Need the company of others.

Intellect

High: Insightful. Knowledgeable. Analytical. Brainy. Quick learners. Adept at arguments. Think before acting. Weigh pros and cons.
Low: Believe they are "average" or "not special". Easily confused. Small vocabulary.

Sensitivity

High: Like to read. Enjoy discussing movies. Don't care for action movies. Cry during movies. Like flowers.
Low: Not keen on poetry, dance performances or fiction. Unaware of their own emotional reactions.

Imagination

High: May appear odd. Like to be lost in thoughts, fantasies and daydreams. Go against the grain. 
Low: By the book. Rarely daydream or become lost in thought.

Complexity

High: Believe art is important. Inventive. Interested in new ideas. Intellectual. Enjoy variety.
Low: Not fond of philosophy, theory or abstraction. Don't look for deeper meanings. Avoid complex people.

Warmth

High: Comfort others. Bring people together. Empathetic. Interested in others. Cheer people up. Make time for others.
Low: Steer clear of the problems of others. Not interested in others. Not concerned about the needy.

Distrust

High: Unforgiving. Suspicious. Wary of others. Distrustful.
Low: Trusting. Believe people are generally moral and well intentioned.

Dutifulness

High: Believe laws should be strictly enforced. Respect rules and authority. Believe in one true religion. Patriotic.
Low: Resist or oppose authority. Break rules. Use swear words. Bend the rules.

Orderliness

High: Perfectionists. Do not put off work or chores. Prefer order.
Low: Not bothered by disorder or messy people. Tend to be messy themselves. Put off unpleasant tasks.

Emotional Stability

High: Seldom feel blue or frustrated. Comfortable and relaxed. Overcome setbacks.
Low: Have mood swings. Feel "blue" or "desperate". Dislike themselves. Easily discouraged.

Anxiety

High: Afraid to do the wrong things. Easily hurt. Often feels threatened. Worry. Regretful. Struggle with setbacks.
Low: Don't worry about what's passed. Not easily discouraged. Not bothered.

Emotionality

High: Easily angered or irritated. Judgmental. Dislike being contradicted.
Low: Not easily annoyed. Forgive and forget. 

Source:
16PF preliminary items (ori.org)

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