Neuroticism Trait

Neuroticism refers to the tendency to experience negative emotions.

Freud originally used the term “neurosis” to describe a condition marked by psychological distress, emotional suffering, and difficulty coping effectively with daily life’s demands. He noted that everyone exhibits some neurotic signs, but we differ in the severity and specific symptoms we experience.

Today, neuroticism describes the inclination to feel negative emotions. Individuals scoring high on neuroticism may predominantly experience a particular negative feeling—such as anxiety, anger, or depression—but they often endure multiple negative emotions.

Neuroticism is the tendency to experience negative emotions.

People high in neuroticism tend to have intense emotional reactions. They respond emotionally to events that most people would find inconsequential, and their reactions are more extreme than usual. They are prone to interpreting ordinary situations as threatening and minor frustrations as overwhelming. Their negative emotional responses also tend to last longer than average, meaning they are often in a bad mood. These difficulties in regulating emotions can diminish a neurotic individual’s ability to think clearly, make decisions, and handle stress effectively.

Anxiety

The brain’s “fight-or-flight” system activates easily and excessively in highly anxious individuals. As a result, people with high anxiety often feel as though something dangerous is about to happen. They may fear specific situations or exhibit generalized fear, and they frequently experience tension, trembling, and nervousness. In contrast, those low in anxiety are typically calm and unflustered.

Anger

Individuals scoring high on the anger facet exhibit strong irritability when things do not go their way. They are sensitive to fairness and feel resentment and bitterness when they perceive injustice. This facet measures the tendency to feel anger; the expression of irritability and aggression depends on one’s level of neuroticism. Conversely, those low in anger rarely become upset or angry.

Depression

This facet assesses the tendency to feel sadness, frustration, and hopelessness. People high in depression often lack energy and struggle to initiate activities. Those low in this facet typically do not experience these depressive feelings.

Self-Consciousness

Individuals high in self-consciousness are sensitive to what others think of them. Their fears of rejection and ridicule lead them to feel shame and discomfort in social settings. They embarrass easily and often feel humiliated. Although their worries about criticism may be exaggerated or unrealistic, their discomfort can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. In contrast, those low in self-consciousness do not mistakenly believe everyone is judging them, nor do they feel tense in social situations.

Impulsiveness

Those high in impulsiveness feel strong urges and drives that are difficult to resist. They tend to seek short-term pleasures and rewards rather than consider long-term consequences. By contrast, individuals low in impulsiveness do not experience overwhelming urges and thus are less prone to overindulgence.

Vulnerability

People scoring high on vulnerability feel panic, confusion, and helplessness under pressure or stress. Those low in vulnerability maintain composure, confidence, and mental clarity when faced with stressful situations.