P OR A AND C - THE ROLE OF THEORY - REPLY

The differences between advocates of the Big Five and the PEN (psychoticism, extraversion, neuroticism) system are most clearly apparent in the problem of whether agreeableness and conscientiousness are to be classed as major dimensions of personality, or as primary factors forming part of P. It is argued that advocates of the Big Five neglect a large volume of research which is crucial to this debate, and which tilts the balance in favour of the PEN system.