Personality Psychology is concerned with finding the universal factors of personality, which can define how people are. The most widely accepted model has been the Big Five Model, by Costa and McCrae (1992).

In this article we will learn about the NEO Revised Personality Inventory (NEO-PIR), a personality test that evaluates these 5 factors. We will know these factors, as well as the traits or facets that make them up. We will also see what characteristics the NEO-PIR has.

NEO Personality Inventory Revised: what is it?

The NEO Revised Personality Inventory (NEO-PIR or NEO-PI-R) is a personality measurement instrument; that is, a test that assesses personality. Specifically, it evaluates 5 personality factors; each factor in turn is composed of six traits or dimensions.

This inventory was developed in 1999 by Paul T. Costa and Robert R. McCrae . The original version of this personality test dates from 1983, and was developed by the same authors. The theoretical model on which this test is based is the Big Five Model (1992) of personality (the 5 major factors), also by the same authors.

Model Big Five

The Big Five Model is one of the most important models in personality psychology, and proposes several factors that make up the personality of all people; the highest or lowest scores on each factor would determine the individual differences in personality .

These 5 factors proposed by the Big Five are: Neuroticism (represented by an N), Extraversion (E), Openness to Experience (O), Kindness (A) and Responsibility (C). As we will see throughout the article, these factors can also adopt other names, used as synonyms.

Characteristics of the NEO-PIR

At the format and structure level, the Revised NEO Personality Inventory is a self-reporting inventory, consisting of 240 items on 5-point Likert scales (from 0 to 4). Each of the 5 factors it evaluates is made up of 48 items. In turn, each factor is made up of 6 features, which we will detail later, and which make up 30 specific scales (each of 8 items).

As we have seen, the Revised NEO Personality Inventory evaluates the total of the factors of the “Big Five” model (5 factors), widely known in personality psychology and psychological assessment.

The main difference with the previous version (the NEO-PI), is that the Revised NEO Personality Inventory evaluates the last two factors introduced (compliance and awareness) explicitly, and not implicitly . Later on we will see the characteristics of the NEO-PI version and those of its precedent (the NEO).

Personality Factors

Specifically, the NEO-PIR evaluates the 5 factors mentioned, which we will see below. We will also see what is involved in getting high and low scores on each of the factors:

1. Neuroticism

Neuroticism is a major factor that is formed by the following features: anxiety, hostility, depression, self-awareness, impulsiveness and vulnerability .

Neuroticism is a personality factor or trait that indicates certain emotional lability and hypersensitivity, as well as a tendency to experience negative emotions frequently and to suffer somatic alterations. These characteristics would appear in people who have scored high in neuroticism.

In contrast, a low score in neuroticism indicates an emotionally stable person.

2. Extraversion

The second factor of first order, like all the factors of the Revised NEO Personality Inventory, corresponds also to the Big Five Model. Extraversion (also called emergence) consists of six traits: warmth, gregariousness, assertiveness, activity, searching and emotionality .

Scoring high on extraversion indicates being an expansive, uninhibited, social person with a tendency to action and experience strong emotions. It is also a characteristic of impulsive people. On the other hand, a low score indicates an introverted person, rather calm, reserved, reflective, ordered and withdrawn.

3. Openness to experience

The third factor in the Revised NEO Personality Inventory is openness to experience. This factor is made up of the following traits: fantasy, values, ideas, aesthetics, sensitivity and action . This factor has also been called “culture” on certain occasions.

A high score in openness to experience is typical of people who seek and appreciate experiences, who have a taste for the unknown and who like to explore new terrains or fields.

Scoring low on this factor is more appropriate for “home-grown” people (who like to be at home), who find it hard to leave their “comfort zone”, who are not interested in trying new things and experimenting, etc.

4. Compliance

The conformity factor is also synonymous in the NEO Personality Inventory Revised; thus, is also known as cordiality or friendliness . Its opposite would be in antagonism/oppositionism.

Conformity is formed by the following traits: trust, altruism, compliance, tenderness, modesty and obedience.

Getting high scores on this trait involves being an empathetic and cooperative person. This factor actually corresponds to a quality of social interactions and a concept of self, a social attitude and a philosophy of life, which are related to this empathy and this co-operativeness. It is characteristic of people who are sensitive to others and have a collaborative attitude .

On the other hand, a low score in compliance indicates rather selfish people, who do not think much of others, and even a bit haughty (not very humble or modest).

5. Consciousness

The final factor in the Revised NEO Personality Inventory is consciousness (also called responsibility). Its features are: order, competence, freedom, achievement, discipline and reflection .

People with this factor are organized, persistent, in control of situations and motivated by goal-oriented behavior. According to the NEO Personality Inventory Review, the opposite factor would be neglect.

Previous versions

There are two versions that precede the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PIR); the NEO and the NEO-PI, as well as a reduced version of the NEO-PIR. Let’s see what each one evaluates:

1. NEO (McCrae and Costa, 1983)

Thus, as we commented, the original version of this inventory was the NEO by McCrae and Costa (1983), which evaluates the following factors: neuroticism, extraversion and openness to experience .

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2. NEO-PI (McCrae and Costa, 1985)

The second version of the NEO Personality Inventory was the NEO-PI, which was developed in 1985. It evaluates the previous factors, along with two new ones: conformity and consciousness. These two factors are implicitly evaluated in the inventory.

3. NEO-FFI (reduced version)

There is a reduced version of the NEO Revised Personality Inventory, called NEO-FFI; this version consists of only 60 items, and evaluates the same factors as the NEO-PIR .

Bibliographic references:

  • Bermúdez, J. (2003). Personality psychology. Theory and research (vol. I and II). Madrid: UNED.

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  • Buela-Casal, G.; Sierra, J.C. (1997). Manual de evaluación psicológica. Siglo XXI. Madrid.
  • Costa, P. T., & McCrae, R. R. (1992b). The five-factor model of personality and its relevance to personality disorders. Journal of Personality Disorders, 6: 343-359.
  • Moreno, C. (2005). Psychological evaluation. Concept, process and application in the areas of development and intelligence. Ed. Sanz and Torres. Madrid