Scientific research has confirmed the stereotypes regarding personality traits associated with specific professions.

Researchers often investigate various patterns related to personality traits. In one study involving a large sample of cigar and cigarette smokers, they traced the qualities associated with individuals who practice such habits. In another study, psychologists reported that eco-activists can be motivated not only by noble intentions but also by darker aspects of their personality.

A recent contribution to this topic came from a group of specialists in psychology and other fields from the universities of Edinburgh (UK) and Tartu (Estonia). They examined the profiles of tens of thousands of individuals engaged in more than 260 types of activities to determine which personality traits are more commonly found among representatives of different professions. An article on this topic was published in the Journal of Applied Psychology.

For the study, 68,540 participants from the Estonian Biobank were selected—a population sample that includes approximately 20% of the adult population of Estonia. As part of the project, they provided socio-demographic information about themselves and completed a five-factor personality test (Big Five). This questionnaire assesses the following five traits: openness to experience, conscientiousness (or diligence), extraversion, agreeableness (friendliness, ability to get along), and neuroticism (emotionality, tendency towards anxiety and negativity).

The data was then analyzed using statistical methods. The results revealed that creative roles, such as artists, writers, or designers, tend to attract individuals who are open to new experiences and possess a well-developed imagination and curiosity.

Extraverts are more commonly involved in sales and public relations, as they prefer to interact with people. Managers and various types of leaders, who also predominantly exhibited extraverted traits, tended to score higher on the conscientiousness scale, reflecting organization and responsibility. Additionally, they showed lower levels of neuroticism, which enables them to better handle their responsibilities.

At the same time, many individuals engaged in sales, management, and real estate operations received lower ratings on the agreeableness scale, which includes traits like cooperativeness. This can be attributed to the complex interactions they encounter in their work, sometimes leading to confrontations, the researchers noted in a press release.

Furthermore, the study indicated that managers and lawyers tend to be competitive, while judges, pilots, and senior government officials find decision-making easier. Human resource specialists and psychologists are characterized by confidence in their ability to influence others. Truck drivers and those working in religious fields were among the least liberal-minded members of the professional community.