By Sigurd Arild, Eva Gregersen, and Ryan Smith
This series of articles analyzes the characters from ‘Star Wars’ (original trilogy only) on the basis of the Big Five system of personality which is the most widely used personality test in social science and which has sometimes been referred to as “the only truly scientific personality test.” Compared to Jungian typology, the Big Five is more empirical and ‘external,’ positing a straightforward relationship between personality and observed behavior, which makes it easier to achieve consensus.
Above Average Openness
“The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together.” Whereas open individuals tend to be abstract-minded, intellectually inclined, and alert to new ideas, people who are lower in Openness tend to be conventional and realistic, down-to-earth and practical. From the time we first meet Obi-Wan Kenobi in Hope, a number of illustrative contrasts are laid bare, such as the contrast between the reflective Kenobi and the unadventurous Uncle Owen (“That old man is just a crazy old wizard.”), or the spiritual Kenobi and the more worldly Han Solo (“There’s no mystical energy field that controls my destiny. … It’s all a lot of simple tricks and nonsense.”). While people who are low in Openness prefer to think in terms of real-world tangibles and practical results, high-Openness individuals are far more likely to think in terms of ideas and what a given thing might mean to the imagination. Kenobi does not care much for the practicalities of moisture farming or spaceship piloting, and in the negotiations with Solo over passage to Alderaan, he does not care much about the precise number of credits reached (whereas a person lower in Openness might be more intent on coming out of the deal looking good and not being taken for a fool, according to conventional standards). Here, as elsewhere, Obi-Wan Kenobi’s mind is clearly preoccupied with non-factual matters (such as the nature of the Force), or engulfed in the struggle between political ideas that begets the conflict between Rebellion and Empire. We even learn that this tendency to think in terms of abstractions at the expense of practicalities has been a lifelong proclivity of Kenobi’s, when viewed through the eyes of the low-Openness Uncle Owen (“[Your uncle] feared you might follow old Obi-Wan on some damned-fool idealistic crusade like your father did.”).
Above Average Conscientiousness
“Was I any different when you taught me?” Conscientious individuals have a strong sense of duty and work towards the completion of their goals with determination. They prefer to operate in ordered environments, which are easier to predict and control, and do not like having to improvise or change course all the time. By contrast, non-Conscientious individuals are more casual and open-ended in their pursuits, and more likely to go their own way instead of answering the call of duty. From his dealings in Hope, we learn that Obi-Wan has had a life-long record of service, not only serving Leia’s father in the Clone Wars, but also achieving the rank of general in those wars (and while this kind of inference is often perilous, research into the Big Five has shown that high-ranking military personnel generally have high Conscientiousness scores). Furthermore, it is also revealed that in his youth, Obi-Wan had taken it upon himself to train other Jedi, attesting to such facets of Conscientiousness as dutifulness and achievement-striving (Conscientious individuals are more likely to hold positions of trust within their communities and also less likely to shy away from the personal obligations they entail). In Hope we furthermore see Kenobi springing into action upon viewing Leia’s hologram. Whereas others may have chosen to overhear the call of duty (as indeed Han Solo did), there was no question in Kenobi’s mind that he had to go to Alderaan, in spite of him being “too old for this sort of thing.” And of course in Hope, we also see Kenobi giving his very life out of a sense of duty in order to aid the Rebellion in its fight against the Empire. On the other hand, however, while Obi-Wan was certainly conscientious in tending to his duties, he appeared to lack the follow-through and cognitive attention to detail that is the hallmark of people who are very high in Conscientiousness, and did not always plan according to real-world schedules and routines. Hence, while Obi-Wan Kenobi certainly had above average Conscientiousness, his thought processes lacked the nitty-gritty attention to detail that one would expect from a personality that was unanimously high in Conscientiousness.
Low Extroversion
“I need your help, Luke. … I’m getting too old for this sort of thing.” Whereas extroverted individuals tend to be excitement-seeking, outgoing, and assertive, introverts are often more reserved, deliberate, and low-key. By the time we meet Kenobi in Hope, he is already a man well into his old age. He has lived quietly on Tatooine for decades, without feeling the need for excitement and adventure (“I haven’t gone by the name Obi-Wan since oh, before you were born.”). Similarly, Obi-Wan does not appear to care much for the social assertiveness of the extrovert, letting Solo have his boasting (“It’s the ship that made the Kessel run in less than twelve parsecs! … She’s fast enough for you, old man.”) as well as the last word in their exchanges concerning the existence of the Force (“There’s no mystical energy field that controls my destiny.”). On the other hand, while Obi-Wan did have introverted leanings, his introversion was by no means extreme, since highly introverted individuals also tend to be laconic, lacking the positive emotions of the extrovert as they do. Indeed, though Obi-Wan was not outgoing as such, he certainly did imbue his socialization with a mild sense of enthusiasm and cheer.
High Agreeableness
“This little one’s not worth the effort. Come, let me get you something.” Agreeable individuals tend to be described as sympathetic and pleasant. They place a premium on interpersonal harmony, and they seek cooperation where disagreeable individuals might seek confrontation instead. Disagreeable individuals also tend to be more arrogant and critical of others, whereas Agreeable individuals tend to be more modest and humble. Slow to anger, but quick to defend others, Obi-Wan consistently demonstrates kindness and compassion for others (indeed, even the brawlers in the Mos Eisley cantina). In spite of being a powerful Jedi Knight, he does not look down his nose at Han Solo’s preoccupation with money or Luke Skywalkers’s initial short-sightedness and naivete (Luke: “I can’t get involved! I’ve got work to do!” / Obi-Wan: “You must do what you feel is right, of course”). Instead, Obi-Wan demonstrates an awareness of how different life trajectories and factors beyond an individual’s personal control might have led them down paths that are different from his own. He does not criticize or evaluate, but seeks to understand others on their own terms, extending an essential sense of dignity to all who cross his path. In fact, it is Obi-Wan’s higher-than-average Openness coupled with his high Agreeableness that allow him to hone in on the feelings and motivations of others and to phrase his utterances in aspirational terms that are tailored to resonate with their outlook and which prompts them to go beyond themselves. Finally, because of their sympathetic disposition, Agreeable individuals are also more likely to praise others, whereas disagreeable individuals tend to be more critical and dismissive. In Obi-Wan’s case, he is generous with praise (“He was the best star-pilot in the galaxy, and a cunning warrior. I understand you’ve become quite a good pilot yourself.”), just as he is quick to help or inspire others, thus attesting to an all-round high-Agreeableness personality on his part.
Low Neuroticism
“Come here, my little friend – don’t be afraid.” While neurotic individuals tend to be anxious and worried, and be susceptible to depression and anger, non-neurotic individuals tend to be mentally resilient and composed. In Obi-Wan’s case, though he had supposedly lost almost everyone he cared for (“Now the Jedi are all but extinct.”), and lived to see the galaxy submitted to a political order he considers unjust (“Before the dark times, before the Empire.”), he has nevertheless managed to maintain a basic sense of optimism and cheer. Unlike neurotic individuals, who are easily tempted to overindulge in cravings on account of their instability, Obi-Wan appeared to have excellent self-control. In contrast to the highly neurotic Darth Vader, Obi-Wan did not appear to struggle with feelings of personal vulnerability or anger, and he had no trouble controlling his rage or absorbing a setback in stride. Finally, while the limbic system of neurotic individuals is easily startled, leading to high levels of emotional reactivity at the first sign of danger, Obi-Wan went serenely and quietly (and above all: voluntarily) to his death in the duel with Darth Vader aboard the first Death Star.
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The idea of intermixing Star Wars and the Big Five was first conceived by the website Outofservice.com, to which this series of articles pays homage.