Final answer:
In the five-factor theory of personality, 'conscientiousness' refers to the dimension that assesses if a person is disciplined and reliable or not. It is part of the Big Five personality traits and also linked to academic success. These traits help predict behavior and life outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the five-factor theory of personality, the dimension that measures whether a person is self-disciplined, responsible, and achieving or irresponsible, careless, and undependable is conscientiousness. This dimension is one of the Big Five personality traits and is characterized by traits such as competence, self-discipline, thoughtfulness, and goal-directed behavior. High scores on conscientiousness are associated with individuals who are hardworking and dependable. Studies have found that this trait positively correlates with academic success.
The Big Five personality factors, also known by the mnemonic OCEAN, include openness to experience, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. These factors represent a spectrum where an individual can score anywhere from high to low, reflecting the unique nuances of each person's personality. The presence of these factors in an individual contributes to the predictions of their behavior in various contexts and life outcomes, such as career success and personal relationships.