For decades, the “Big Five” has been the undisputed king of personality science. But as researchers looked closer at human behavior across the globe, they noticed something was missing. There was a specific set of behaviors—sincerity, fairness, and a lack of greed—that the old models didn’t quite capture on their own.
Enter the HEXACO model.
While it includes the familiar traits we know, it adds a crucial sixth dimension that changes how we understand “goodness” and social interaction. This model isn’t just about how you work or how much you talk; it’s about your fundamental relationship with truth, power, and other people.
As the philosopher Marcus Aurelius wrote:
“If it is not right, do not do it; if it is not true, do not say it.”
The HEXACO model is the scientific way of measuring that very integrity.
What is the “H” in HEXACO?
The name HEXACO is an acronym for the six dimensions it measures. The biggest breakthrough of this model is the addition of the Honesty-Humility (H) factor.
Before this, traits like honesty were often lumped in with “Agreeableness.” However, researchers Lee and Ashton discovered that being “nice” (Agreeable) and being “honest” (Honesty-Humility) are actually two different things. You can be a very pleasant person but still be willing to cut corners for money or status. Conversely, you can be quite blunt and “disagreeable” but have an unbreakable sense of fairness.
The Six Dimensions Explained
Here is what the HEXACO model reveals about your psychological makeup:
- Honesty-Humility (H): Measures your sincerity, fairness, greed-avoidance, and modesty. People high in this trait are unwilling to manipulate others for personal gain.
- Emotionality (E): Similar to the “Neuroticism” of the Big Five, this looks at fearfulness, anxiety, dependence, and sentimentality.
- Extraversion (X): Your social self-esteem, social boldness, sociability, and liveliness.
- Agreeableness (A): Focuses specifically on forgiveness, gentleness, flexibility, and patience (distinct from honesty).
- Conscientiousness (C): Your organization, diligence, perfectionism, and prudence.
- Openness to Experience (O): Your aesthetic appreciation, inquisitiveness, creativity, and unconventionality.
Why Should You Take the HEXACO-60?
Most of us have a “blind spot” when it comes to our own level of modesty or greed. Taking a structured assessment like the IPIP-HEXACO-60 provides an objective mirror.
- Improve Your Relationships: Understanding your level of “Agreeableness” versus “Honesty-Humility” can help you see why you clash with certain people.
- Career Alignment: Some professions reward high “Social Boldness” (Extraversion), while others require the extreme “Prudence” found in Conscientiousness.
- Personal Integrity: It provides a clear framework for seeing where you might be tempted to prioritize yourself over the “fair” choice.
Explore Your HEXACO Profile
The HEXACO-60 is a fast but statistically powerful version of this model. It takes about 5 to 7 minutes to complete and provides a unique “hexagonal” view of your personality.
➡️ Take the IPIP-HEXACO-60 Assessment Now
Applying the Science to Your Life
Once you have your scores, you can use the other tools in the PsychKit library to balance your traits:
- Low in Patience (Agreeableness)? Try the TIPP Skill to manage frustration in the heat of the moment.
- High in Anxiety (Emotionality)? Use the 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique to find your center.
- Low in Modesty (Honesty-Humility)? Engage with the Gratitude Galaxy game to shift your focus toward the contributions of others.
Safety and User Responsibility
PsychKit tools are designed to spark curiosity and promote self-knowledge. However, a personality score is not a final judgment on your character or your worth as a human being.
Important Disclaimer: This assessment is for educational and growth purposes only. It is not a clinical diagnosis or a replacement for professional psychological advice. PsychKit is not responsible for decisions made based on these results.
Emergency Notice: If you are in a state of crisis, feeling helpless, or considering self-harm, please stop using these digital tools immediately. Go to your nearest Emergency Department or call a local crisis hotline. Your life is valuable, and these tools are not a substitute for emergency medical care.
References & Scientific Sources
- Ashton, M. C., & Lee, K. (2007). Empirical, theoretical, and practical advantages of the HEXACO model of personality structure. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 11(2), 150–166.
- Lee, K., & Ashton, M. C. (2004). Psychometric properties of the HEXACO Personality Inventory. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 39(2), 329–358.
- Goldberg, L. R. (1999). A broad-bandwidth, public-domain, personality inventory measuring the lower-level facets of several five-factor models. Personality Psychology in Europe, 7, 7–28.