How do you convert a person with low personal responsibility into a conscientious star? No one knows. Indeed, I know of no research related to this existential issue.

Conscientiousness has been studied mainly as part of the 5 personality traits (NEO)

  • Extraversion
  • Agreeableness
  • Neuroticism
  • Conscientiousness
  • Openness to new experiences

In general, less than 50%­­­­­­­­­­­­­ of individuals have at least a 50% score on the conscientiousness scale. And, in general, this trait is not strikingly related to the other 4. There are excellent online versions of the NEO.

Personally, since a score of 75 is required for a passing grade in most subjects, I think a score of 75 or greater is essential to consider oneself adequately conscientious or responsible.

My score is 98%. For neuroticism, I prefer a score of 20% or less, mine is 2%. Agreeableness should be 75 or greater, mine is 94%. Extraversion does not matter, mine is 84%. On Openness, I also am 88. Overall, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness are the key to a happy, healthy life while neuroticism is lifelong misery.

There is some evidence that conscientiousness is intrinsic at birth, and I know of no study that correlates oxytocin levels with conscientiousness. Since oxytocin inadequacy is strongly correlated with depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism, borderline personality, inadequate personality and schizophrenia, basic research might begin with this.  If those low in conscientiousness are also low in oxytocin then a first attempt at enhancing conscientiousness would be to try Air Bliss.

Intuitively, there are other strategies that should enhance those with low conscientiousness scores:

  • Autogenic training
  • Heart Forgiveness
  • Hypnotherapy
  • Raja yoga and possibly other yogic tools
  • Outward Bound
  • EFT

Halitosis is better than no breath at all. The future of a healthy America depends on the success of Conscientious Psychology in solving this issue. Conscientiousness is the number one personality requirement for health, longevity and success in life.

Norman Shealy, M.D., Ph.D. is the father of holistic medicine. He recommends autogenic focus (the basis of the Biogenics System) as part of your overall commitment to self-health. Register to download your FREE autogenic focus MP3 now.