ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

HEXACO model of personality structure

The Hexaco model of personality structure is a way to understand why people behave the way they do. Imagine you have a colorful puzzle with six pieces, and each piece represents a different part of a person's personality.

The first piece is called "Honesty-Humility." This piece shows how honest and humble a person is. Someone who is high in this trait is truthful and doesn't brag about themselves, while someone who is low in this trait might be a bit sneaky and boastful.

The second piece is called "Emotionality." This piece shows how emotional a person is. Someone who is high in emotionality might cry easily, get angry quickly, or feel sad often. Someone who is low in emotionality might be more calm and not show their feelings as much.

The third piece is called "Extraversion." This piece shows how outgoing and social a person is. Someone who is high in extraversion likes being around people and being the center of attention, while someone who is low in extraversion prefers to be alone or in small groups.

The fourth piece is called "Agreeableness." This piece shows how easygoing and friendly a person is. Someone who is high in agreeableness is kind and empathetic, while someone who is low in agreeableness might be more blunt and critical.

The fifth piece is called "Conscientiousness." This piece shows how diligent and responsible a person is. Someone who is high in conscientiousness is organized and reliable, while someone who is low in conscientiousness might be more forgetful and careless.

The last piece is called "Openness to Experience." This piece shows how imaginative and curious a person is. Someone who is high in openness to experience is creative and adventurous, while someone who is low in openness to experience might prefer routine and tradition.

When you put all of these puzzle pieces together, you get a complete picture of a person's personality. No one is exactly the same, and everyone has their own unique combination of traits. By understanding the Hexaco model, you can better understand why people act the way they do and how to communicate with them effectively.