How to Know a Person — Chapter Thirteen: Personality: What Energy Do You Bring into the Room?

1. 1. George W. Bush's high extroversion and low curiosity contributed to his catastrophic decision to start the Iraq War.
2. 2. The Myers-Briggs personality test has no scientific validity, with about half of people ending up in different categories upon retaking it.
3. 3. The Big Five personality traits are extroversion, conscientiousness, neuroticism, agreeableness, and openness.
4. 4. High extroverts are driven by positive emotions and reward-seeking, but they also take more risks and are more likely to die in traffic accidents.
5. 5. High conscientiousness predicts better grades, career success, and longer life, but also more guilt and workaholism.
6. 6. High neuroticism leads to quick and acute negative emotions, but it also prepares people for roles like spotting danger or advocating for social change.
7. 7. High agreeableness predicts lower divorce rates and better sexual satisfaction, but may hinder career advancement.
8. 8. High openness is associated with creativity and divergent thinking, but can lead to boredom with familiarity.
9. 9. Personality traits predict life outcomes about as well as IQ or socioeconomic status.
10. 10. Parenting should be tailored to the child's personality, focusing on encouraging the 'positive opposite' rather than punishing bad behavior.
11. 11. Personality traits are modifiable through clinical intervention, with changes of half a standard deviation possible in as little as six weeks.