Openness to experience or openness is a personality trait characterized by welcoming new experiences and ideas. It is one of the Big 5 personality factors; the others being conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. People who score high on openness are often adventurous, embracing opportunities, exuding originality, and imaginative. On the other hand, those with low levels of openness are usually described as narrow-minded, preferring familiar routines, and opting for the tried-and-tested.
For instance, Anna, who has a high level of openness, is quite receptive to various ideas and experiences. She loves to meet new people, explore various places, taste different kinds of food, and read about recent discoveries. She admits that she does not feel comfortable with traditional systems and prefers spontaneity over planned experiences.