Liberalism

A score is not a judgement of anyone's politics, and the site takes no side. The facet records where a person says they stand relative to a large, mostly American sample; the items were written for that audience, and the words liberal and conservative do not map neatly onto British parties.

A low score is not closed-mindedness. Valuing tradition and clear rules is a position many thoughtful people hold.

Four items make a short scale. A facet score moves more between attempts than the 24-item domain score, and it describes a tendency in ordinary life as the person reports it, not a diagnosis of anything.

High. People high on this facet say they tend to vote for liberal candidates and doubt that there is an absolute right and wrong. In daily life that shows as questioning rules and the people who make them, sympathy for the unconventional, and a readiness to change a long-held view when the argument is good.

Low. People low on this facet say they tend to vote for conservative candidates, believe in absolute right and wrong and think society should be tough on crime. In daily life that shows as respect for institutions and established ways, a liking for clear moral lines, and scepticism of change for its own sake.

• Openness to experience: the broad trait this facet belongs to, with five sibling facets.

Openness relates to liberal attitudes and conscientiousness to conservative ones, on economic and social issues alike, in large American samples. (Gerber and others, 2010)

This facet has the lowest reliability of the thirty in the development sample, so a single score is a rougher reading than most. (Johnson, 2014)

• Imagination
• Artistic interests
• Emotionality
• Adventurousness
• Intellect