As Americans choose between Donald Trump and Joe Biden to be their president this week, voting in one of the most divisive presidential elections in US history, we thought it useful to look to style as a means of decoding their Big 5 psychological traits. After all, there is a strong relationship between both one’s Big 5 scores, style preference, values, and political affiliation. Here goes.
OPENNESS
Trump: Low
Biden: Moderate High
Photos: Getty Images
Polling stations are open. Trump is not. The Openness scale has to do with how open-minded one is. Those that score lower on Openness are considered to be closed to experience. They tend to be conventional and traditional in their outlook and behavior. Higher scorers are open to new experiences, people and ways of looking at the world. In line with much of Republican doctrine, Trump’s whole “making America great again” campaign has been rooted in low-openness, rejecting change, and various groups of people. We see this sartorially in his devout dedication to suits, ill-fitting though they may be. Biden, on the other hand, knows how to do an off-duty look. Naturally, as a Democrat, Biden is much more curious, tolerant, and motivated to seek new experiences.
CONSCIENTOUSNESS
Trump: Moderate Low
Biden: Moderate High
Photos: Getty Images
Conscientious people are dependable, honest, and hard-working. They tend to be polite and play by the rules. Going by appearance, Trump’s style has often been the subject of mockery. From creased baggy pants and the scotch tape fiasco to heavy-handed tanner and unruly tresses, it makes sense that Trump’s adherence to grooming and fit is questioned as often as his integrity and tax returns - hence the lower score. One facet of Conscientiousness is caring about worldly achievement, which Trump ticks, hence not landing at the lowest possible score. Conscientious style, on the other hand, is neat and structured, as evidenced by Biden. Of course, we can never be really sure how conscientious a politician really is, but Biden generally makes a more honorable impression.
EXTROVERSION
Trump: High
Biden: Moderate High
Photos: Getty Images
You’d need to have a fairly high baseline of Extroversion to get into politics, where giving speeches and connecting with the population is part of the job. Behaviorally speaking, both Trump and Biden get high scores, while Donald lands at the more extreme scale thanks to his passionate Twitter presence. Sartorially, neither is shy of a statement detail, while Donald in particular has a penchant for a punchy hue.
AGREEABLENESS
Trump: Low
Biden: Moderate
Photos: Getty Images
Agreeableness, displaying as warm, friendly, and tactful, is a lot like salt - it’s really about having just enough. Too little, and you become a tyrant. Too much, and it’s hard to be effective - especially in business or politics. Trump, famous for his rude remarks and frequent disregard for genuine common decency, lands low. Style-wise, he gives himself away with his offbeat tie choices. The attention-grabbing pink stripes here tell us that he likes to stand out by showing contempt. Biden, on the other hand, definitely exudes a warm exterior, has a famously well-documented friendship with former President Barack Obama, and dons the classics to match.
NEUROTICISM
Trump: Low
Biden: Moderate
Photos: Max Vadukul newyorker.com, instyle.com.
Neuroticism, which relates to proneness to negative emotions and self-consciousness, is also associated with vulnerability and sensitivity. Trump, who has always lived a very privileged life, displays very little to none of this trait. Consequently, he also seems to care very little about style. Despite being ridiculed for his hair, tanning regimen and baggy suits, he has not reacted, showing a lot of nonchalance. Of course, while many strive to be so self-assured, the lack of neuroticism results in little empathy for the plight of others.
Biden on the other hand, has spoken out about his hardships and how his family tragedy shaped his Washington career. While out shopping a few days before Christmas in 1972, his wife Neilia and 13-month-old daughter Naomi were killed in a car accident after a tractor-trailer broadsided the family’s Chevrolet station wagon. Their two sons, Joseph Biden III and Robert Hunter Biden, were injured, but survived. The experience, or perhaps a stronger score for this emotional trait, has made Biden a more sensitive and empathetic leader. Sensitivity in life leads to sensitivity in details - and has earned Biden more than a few GQ profiles.
Curious about your own Big 5 personality scores? Take the test on PSYKHE.
We use the ‘Driver’s License’ singer’s sartorial style to infer where she would score on the Big Five Personality test.