6 Books You Need to Read to Understand the Big Five Personality System

For decades, a number of personality tests have promised to reveal who we are and why we do what we do. But if you’re looking for a model that’s actually grounded in science, and trusted by psychologists and researchers worldwide, the Big Five is the one that stands out from the crowd. 

Unlike type-based systems that sort people into neat categories, the Big Five describes personality along five broad dimensions: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness and Neuroticism. Everyone scores somewhere between 0 (minimum) and 100 (maximum, though measuring scales may differ) on each of the five dimensions, resulting in a unique personality profile.

What makes the Big Five so useful? For starters, it’s the most validated personality framework out there. Researchers have used the Big Five system to accurately predict a variety of behaviors and outcomes, including job performance, academic success, marital satisfaction and even criminal behavior. The Big Five also allows for flexibility in interpretation. Each dimension is not limited to one extreme end or another; rather, individuals can fall anywhere on the spectrum. This allows for a more nuanced understanding of personality and avoids the labeling of individuals as strictly one type or another.

However, the strengths of the Big Five system can also make it hard to access. There are no type profiles or easily identifiable categories, making it difficult for individuals to understand their results in a clear and direct way. To bridge this gap, we’ve curated a list of must-read books that explore the Big Five's concepts in engaging and thought-provoking ways.

1. Personality: What Makes You the Way You Are 

Daniel Nettle

If you’re new to the Big Five, Daniel Nettle’s book is the perfect place to begin. Nettle takes readers on a tour of each trait, blending cutting-edge research with real-life stories and examples. The author explains personality through the lens of evolutionary biology, which sounds dry but isn’t: this book is laced with humor and is really easy to read. You’ll find plenty of “aha” moments as you learn why people are the way they are, and how to work with your own—and others’—personality traits.

Who should read it: Anyone wanting a primer on the science of the Big Five without getting too...scientific.

2. Handbook of Personality: Theory and Research

Oliver P. John, Richard W. Robins, Lawrence A. Pervin (Editors)

At the opposite end of the spectrum, we have this authoritative handbook which describes itself as “the reference of choice for researchers and students of personality.” The Handbook brings together leading researchers to cover everything from the origins of the Big Five to how these traits develop, change and influence our lives. You’ll find deep dives into the biological, social and cultural roots of personality, as well as chapters on how the Big Five shapes health, relationships and even political views. The writing can get a little dense and long-winded, but the top-notch content makes it a go-to for students, coaches and anyone who wants to understand the “why” and “how” behind the model’s staying power.

Who should read it: Psychology students, professionals or anyone who wants a thorough, research-driven look at personality.

3. The Owner’s Manual for Personality at Work

Pierce J. Howard & Jane Mitchell Howard

Curious how the Big Five plays out in the real world—especially at work? This practical guide translates personality science into actionable advice for managers, teams and professionals. The Howards break down each of the five traits and their workplace implications: how Conscientiousness drives productivity, why Extraversion can make or break a sales team, and how Agreeableness influences collaboration. The book is packed with case studies, checklists and tips for using personality insights to improve hiring, leadership and team dynamics.

Who should read it: HR professionals, managers, or anyone interested in using the Big Five to build better teams and careers.

4. Professor OCEAN: A Small Fable of Personality’s Big Five

W. Keith Campbell, Jim Exley, Patrick Doyle

If you prefer learning through stories, this charming fable introduces the Big Five in a way that’s memorable and accessible. Through the adventures of Professor OCEAN (OCEAN is the acronym for the five personality traits), readers meet characters who embody each trait and see how their differences play out in everyday situations. You won’t get an in depth, scientific exploration of the Big Five hypothesis, but this book will give you a very simple and straightforward way to begin understanding yourself. 

Who should read it: A great pick for beginners who want a lighter take on the science.

5. The Personality Puzzle

David C. Funder

A staple in university classrooms, “The Personality Puzzle” is known for its lively writing and big-picture approach. Funder explores not just the Big Five, but how personality shapes—and is shaped by—our choices, relationships and even our sense of self. You’ll find learnings on trait theory, personality in a developmental context, biological, psychoanalytic and crosscultural perspectives, and a personality disorders section that synthesizes these paradigms. It covers a lot of ground with humor, personal narrations … and default female pronouns! 

Who should read it: Students, lifelong learners, and anyone wanting a vast range of information.

6. Personality at Work: The Drivers and Derailers of Leadership

Ronald Warren

While it isn’t technically a Big Five book, “Personality at Work” by psychologist Ron Warren lays out the key personality traits that drive high performance, and the common traits that derail it. Warren introduces his own framework for categorizing these traits, but I’ve included the book in this list as many overlap conceptually with Big Five dimensions (for example, his traits dominance, deference and grit/task mastery overlap with Extraversion, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness respectively). This book gets bonus points for including EQ in its framework and an excellent personality breakdown of the person considered the worst CEO of all time!

Who should read it: Highly recommended for leaders, coaches, MBA students or anyone interested in the human side of management.