How can the “Big 5” personality dimensions enhance acculturation? Provide an example (situation or scenario) for each of the 5 dimensions.

1. Extraversion
Those with this personality trait have the tendency to be more outgoing, energetic, sociable, assertive and talkative in the company of others. Besides that, extraverts are highly motivated to seek social situations and are normally associated with leadership, thus are likely to be dominant in those situations. Certainly motivated by change and challenge, they are seen as adaptive, ambitious and hardworking which helps them to acculturate better. Take for example if an American extravert was to come and live in Singapore, being more sociable and outgoing, he would attempt to initiate and sustain social relations with the locals. Upon making more friends with perhaps different cultural groups, it would give him plenty of knowledge of the different cultures and language skills or patois like ‘Singlish’, for his performance of daily tasks in Singapore and thus be able to adapt better.

2. Agreeableness
This trait reflects how well an individual values getting along with others by being more considerate, friendly, generous, they show their willingness to compromise their interests with others. They also have an optimistic view of human nature. Individuals with this trait strive for intimacy and solidarity in groups they belong to, which provides emotional rewards for they get along well with others. One example would be a recently employed foreigner of a company who shows interest in being more involved in helping his or her colleagues and puts aside his or her own interests. He or she would more likely be deemed to be a team player and a helpful and empathetic person despite coming from a different background. This will in fact show that the employee is not skeptical about others and not self-centered