Study examines the personality traits of U.S. presidents and
highlights some qualities shared by our greatest leaders
Courtesy of McClatchy
The Personality and the President Project is an investigation headed by Dr. Steve Rubenzer of the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority. More than 100 biographers volunteered to complete personality tests focusing on America’s presidents.
The Big Five traits
The tests divided the presidents’ personality traits into five categories:
1. Neuroticism: Facets include: impulsiveness, depression
2. Extraversion: Facets include: gregariousness, assertiveness
3. Agreeableness: Facets include: modesty, honesty, kindness
4. Conscientiousness: Facets include: order, self-discipline, competence, neatness
5. Openness to Experience: Facets include: openness
to ideas, values
Abraham Lincoln
– 16th president (1861-1865)
– In a poll of 719 historians, Lincoln ranks as America’s greatest leader.
n Lincoln’s highest score is on Depression, and he scores moderately high on Anxiety. He expressed both during the Civil War, when he experienced periods of deep emotional turmoil. Lincoln scores low on Straightforwardness and Order. Overall, he is remembered as a likeable, approachable man who was revered for his storytelling abilities, sense of humor and humbleness.
n Accomplishments: He compassionately guided the country through the Civil War, which ultimately freed the slaves and reunited the Union and Confederacy. The Gettysburg Address, one of his most brilliant speeches, is as compelling today as the day it was spoken.
Theodore Roosevelt
– 26th president (1901-1909)
– High scores: Activity, Assertiveness, Positive Emotions, Openness to Feelings, Excitement Seeking, Impulsiveness, Angry Hostility.
– Low scores: Modesty, Vulnerability, Anxiety.
– Accomplishment: Roosevelt championed environmental causes.
Harry S Truman
– 33rd president (1945-1953)
– High scores: Achievement Striving, Self-Discipline, Activity.
– Low scores: Compliance, Deliberation.
– Accomplishment: Truman Doctrine, which offered aid to countries resisting communism.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
– 32nd president (1933-1945)
– High scores: Positive Emotions,
Assertiveness, Openness to Feelings,
Gregariousness, Achievement Striving,
Tender-Mindedness, Activity.
– Low scores: Vulnerability, Modesty, Depression.
– Accomplishment: Although crippled with polio, FDR
was the only president elected to four terms.
