What is the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI)?

The NEO-FFI is a personality assessment based on the Five-Factor Model, measuring five broad dimensions of personality that are considered universal across cultures.

Who developed it and when?

Developed by Paul Costa and Robert McCrae in the 1980s-1990s, based on extensive factor analytic research on personality structure.

What type of assessment is it?

Self-report personality inventory with Likert-scale responses.

What does it assess?

• Neuroticism (N): Emotional instability, anxiety, moodiness
• Extraversion (E): Sociability, assertiveness, positive emotions
• Openness (O): Creativity, curiosity, appreciation for art and ideas
• Agreeableness (A): Trust, cooperation, empathy
• Conscientiousness (C): Organization, self-discipline, achievement-striving

How many items and what format?

This version contains 25 items (5 per dimension) rated on a 5-point scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree.

How is it scored?

Each of the five dimensions receives a separate score, providing a personality profile across all factors.