Human personality and the five factor OCEAN model, says Hastings, operates in the exact same manner. By applying the scientific fiction of color to the five factor model and trait analysis, Hastings attempts to demonstrate the theory's usefulness and practicality, even to its more ardent critics. While traits are based in biology, they are not best understood in the context of biology, just as color is not understood as an electromagnetic phenomenon. Different cultural structures (collectivist v. individualist) will have a very different understanding of trait research should not be used to denigrate the five factor model, but should instead create different interpretation based on cultural norms, just as happens with a culture's understanding of color (94). The five factor model encourages Western researches to broaden its scope of study to include the theories posited by collectivist cultures and to assess if and why there are substantial differences.
Here again, Hastings reconciles the criticism by using the ROY G. BIV comparison. The five factor model is far more susceptible of being truly understood by students and research participants than more biologically sound explanations (as is ROY G. BIV than the electromagnetic theory). Finally, there are only five factors, just as there are only seven primary colors. However, the popularity of the 64 color crayon box among children highlights the inherent flexibility of the five factor model (96).
Hastings' article freely acknowledges the critiques of the five factor model in trait research. His use of the ROY G. BIV metaphor, however, accentuates the benefits that can be obtained through the model, even assuming the critiques are all accurate. The five factor model is scientifically fallible, yet has a place in the study of human…
