Openness — in full, openness to experience — is the trait in the five-factor model that is about curiosity: how drawn you are to new ideas, impressions, feelings and ways of doing things. It says something about where you seek variety, not about how intelligent you are.
Last updated September 2026
People high in openness tend to enjoy exploring. They are often engaged by art, abstract questions and unfamiliar perspectives, and get bored with routine more easily. They may have a rich inner life and care about what things mean.
People lower in openness tend to prefer the familiar and concrete. They value what has worked before, stick to practical solutions and are less interested in theory for its own sake. That often brings stability and down-to-earthness.
In the most widely used breakdown, openness has six facets: fantasy, aesthetics, openness to one’s own feelings, willingness to try new things, interest in ideas and openness to re-examining values. Two people with the same score can therefore be open in different ways.
No. High openness can bring creativity and flexibility, but also restlessness and difficulty settling. Low openness can bring persistence and clarity, but also resistance to change. What fits best depends on the situation.
Longitudinal studies find that openness on average rises through adolescence and young adulthood and declines somewhat in old age. Those are averages — many people change little, and life experience can pull either way.
No. Openness and intelligence are somewhat related in research, but openness is about interest and curiosity, not ability.
There is no single agreed name. Low openness is often described as conventional, practical or traditional.
BeBalanced.ai starts with a Big Five test, and the coach uses your profile to tailor conversations and exercises. The app is developed with clinical psychologists.
BeBalanced.ai is a tool for self-insight and emotional training, not healthcare or treatment. If you need someone to talk to right now, contact your local crisis line. In an emergency, call your national emergency number.