Facets

Facets are subscales within each of the five factors of the Big Five model (#3, "the Big Five").

Source. In the most widespread version — NEO PI-R (authors: Paul Costa, Robert McCrae, 1992) — each factor contains 6 facets, for a total of 30 subscales.

The Full List of NEO PI-R Facets

Openness (O):

• O1 Fantasy, O2 Aesthetics, O3 Feelings, O4 Actions, O5 Ideas, O6 Values

Conscientiousness (C):

• C1 Competence, C2 Order, C3 Dutifulness, C4 Achievement, C5 Self-Discipline, C6 Deliberation

Extraversion (E):

• E1 Warmth, E2 Gregariousness, E3 Assertiveness, E4 Activity, E5 Excitement-Seeking, E6 Positive Emotions

Agreeableness (A):

• A1 Trust, A2 Straightforwardness, A3 Altruism, A4 Compliance, A5 Modesty, A6 Tender-Mindedness

Neuroticism (N):

• N1 Anxiety, N2 Angry Hostility, N3 Depression, N4 Self-Consciousness, N5 Impulsiveness, N6 Vulnerability

Why Facets Matter

Distinguishing similar profiles. Facets allow distinguishing people with the same overall score on a factor but different inner profiles — raising the diagnostic precision of the Big Five. Two people with the same Extraversion level can be quite different: one warm and emotional, the other assertive and active.