Which statement accurately describes Costa and McCrae's Big Five traits?

• A. Costa and McCrae's Big Five traits
• B. Openness
• C. Conscientiousness
• D. Extraversion

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is the five-factor model of personality as developed by Costa and McCrae. Their work identifies a set of five broad personality domains; referring to these as “Costa and McCrae’s Big Five traits” correctly names the whole model. The other options point to individual traits—Openness, Conscientiousness, or Extraversion—which are only parts of the model, not the model itself. Knowing the full set helps you recognize that Costa and McCrae’s contribution is the framework of five broad dimensions (Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism) rather than any single trait.