Hulk (Bruce Banner)


Character Source Material: Marvel Comics, Universe of


Bruce Banner, a brilliant but troubled physicist, carries the weight of a tumultuous childhood marked by abuse at the hands of his father, Brian Banner. Raised by his aunt Susan Drake after a family tragedy, Bruce developed into a scientific prodigy, channeling his pain into academic excellence. His genius in gamma radiation led him to a fateful experiment that forever altered his life, birthing his alter ego, the Hulk. Banner's personality is a study in contrasts: methodical and reserved as a scientist, yet harboring deep-seated anger and fear of losing control. This inner turmoil manifests physically as the Hulk, a green behemoth of unparalleled strength and rage. Despite his condition, Banner remains driven by a desire to help others, often working to find a cure for his "curse" while grappling with the moral implications of the Hulk's actions. His complex relationship with Betty Ross, daughter of his nemesis General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, adds layers of longing and conflict to his already complicated existence. Banner's journey is one of constant struggle between intellect and emotion, control and chaos, heroism and destruction.


5 Factor Personality Summary for Hulk (Bruce Banner)

Trait Percentile Trait Disposition
Neuroticism 99.99 High
Agreeableness 30.57 Average
Extraversion 0.35 Low
Conscientiousness 5.28 Low
Openness 95.12 High
personality chart
Link to full personality profile report.



5 Factor Personality Items and Responses for Hulk (Bruce Banner)

This section displays the detail item responses that were used to generate the above personality summary. The methodology for selecting the item responses for this fictional character involved using research from a generative artificial intelligence tool to summarize a descriptive response to a question related to each item. The research was reviewed and a judgement was made on the most appropriate response on that item. You can view an example script for collecting these responses (see: Script for Automated Five Factor Assessment)

Trait Item Item Response Item Score AI-Generated Research*
Openness Do not have a good imagination. Very inaccurate 5

Bruce Banner's scientific achievements require a great deal of imagination and creativity. His ability to conceptualize solutions to complex problems, both scientific and tactical, demonstrates a strong imagination. In the comics, Banner has created numerous inventions and devised creative strategies, such as in 'Indestructible Hulk' where he imagines new ways to use Hulk's powers for S.H.I.E.L.D. missions.

Openness Am not interested in abstract ideas. Very inaccurate 5

As a renowned physicist and biochemist, Bruce Banner is very interested in abstract scientific concepts. His work often involves theoretical physics and complex biochemistry. In 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), Banner's involvement in developing the time travel theory demonstrates his keen interest in highly abstract scientific concepts.

Openness Have difficulty understanding abstract ideas. Very inaccurate 5

Bruce Banner is a genius-level scientist, capable of understanding and working with highly complex and abstract concepts in physics and biochemistry. In 'The Avengers' (2012), Banner quickly grasps the complexities of tracking the Tesseract and works with Tony Stark on advanced scientific theories, showcasing his ability to handle abstract ideas with ease.

Openness Have a vivid imagination. Moderately accurate 4

As a brilliant scientist, Bruce Banner possesses a vivid imagination crucial for his work. The Hulk, while not traditionally imaginative, has shown creative problem-solving in combat. In the comics, Banner's scientific innovations, like creating a cure for M.O.D.O.K.'s condition, demonstrate his imaginative capabilities.

Neuroticism Seldom feel blue. Very inaccurate 5

Bruce Banner often struggles with depression and the burden of his condition. Even the Hulk has been shown to experience moments of sadness or loneliness. In 'Thor: Ragnarok' (2017), when Banner realizes he's been the Hulk for two years, his distress and sense of loss are palpable, indicating that feeling 'blue' is not uncommon for him.

Neuroticism Am relaxed most of the time. Very inaccurate 5

Banner lives in a constant state of tension, always wary of losing control. The Hulk's default state is one of anger and aggression. In 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' (2015), we see Banner's anxiety about losing control, particularly in his reluctance to pursue a relationship with Natasha Romanoff due to the ever-present risk of Hulking out.

Neuroticism Get upset easily. Very accurate 5

Bruce Banner's constant struggle is to maintain emotional control to prevent Hulk transformations. The Hulk himself is characterized by rage and is easily provoked. In 'The Incredible Hulk' (2008), we see Banner using meditation and breathing techniques to control his heart rate and prevent transformation, illustrating how easily he can become upset.

Neuroticism Have frequent mood swings. Very accurate 5

The very nature of Banner/Hulk's character is defined by extreme mood swings. Banner's transformation into the Hulk is triggered by anger or stress, representing a dramatic and violent mood shift. This is a central theme in all Hulk stories, exemplified in 'The Avengers' (2012) when Banner says, 'That's my secret, Cap. I'm always angry,' before voluntarily transforming into the Hulk.

Conscientiousness Make a mess of things. Very accurate 1

This is highly accurate, especially for the Hulk. His transformations and subsequent rampages often result in massive property damage and chaos. A prime example is the Hulk's destructive rampage in Johannesburg in 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' (2015), where he causes widespread devastation under Scarlet Witch's influence.

Conscientiousness Often forget to put things back in their proper place. Moderately accurate 2

Given the chaotic nature of Banner's transformations, it's likely that maintaining order is challenging. The Hulk's destructive tendencies certainly don't help. In various comic book depictions, Banner's labs or hideouts are often shown as hastily abandoned or in disarray due to sudden Hulk appearances.

Conscientiousness Like order. Moderately accurate 4

As a scientist, Bruce Banner likely appreciates order in his work. However, the chaotic nature of the Hulk contrasts this. In 'The Avengers' (2012), we see Banner working in a organized lab environment in Calcutta, suggesting a preference for order in his professional life.

Conscientiousness Get chores done right away. Moderately inaccurate 2

Bruce Banner's scientific mind might appreciate order, but his life is often too chaotic to maintain routine. The Hulk is impulsive and unlikely to focus on chores. In various comics and films, we often see Banner's living spaces as somewhat disorganized, reflecting the chaotic nature of his dual existence.

Agreeableness Am not interested in other people's problems. Moderately inaccurate 4

Bruce Banner often goes out of his way to help others, even at personal risk. The Hulk, while often focused on his own issues, has been shown to come to the aid of others when needed. In 'Avengers: Infinity War' (2018), both Banner and Hulk (albeit reluctantly) join the fight against Thanos to save the universe.

Agreeableness Am not really interested in others. Moderately inaccurate 4

While the Hulk often seems self-centered, Bruce Banner shows genuine concern for others, particularly in his efforts to find a cure and protect people from his alter ego. In 'The Avengers' (2012), Banner's decision to return and help fight the Chitauri demonstrates his interest in others' wellbeing.

Agreeableness Feel others' emotions. Neither inaccurate nor accurate 3

Bruce Banner is often empathetic, but the Hulk's emotional range is typically limited. However, in some portrayals, the Hulk shows surprising emotional depth. In 'Thor: Ragnarok' (2017), we see Hulk express a range of emotions, including friendship, anger, and even hurt feelings, suggesting some ability to connect emotionally.

Agreeableness Sympathize with others' feelings. Moderately accurate 4

Bruce Banner shows a high degree of empathy, often driven by his desire to protect others from the Hulk. The Hulk, while often portrayed as rage-driven, has shown moments of care, especially for allies. In 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' (2015), we see Hulk's gentle side with Black Widow, demonstrating an ability to sympathize.

Extraversion Keep in the background. Moderately accurate 2

As Bruce Banner, this is very accurate - he often tries to stay unnoticed to avoid triggering a transformation. However, as the Hulk, his size and actions make it impossible to stay in the background. In 'Thor: Ragnarok' (2017), we see Banner's desire to blend in on Sakaar, contrasting sharply with Hulk's prominent role as a gladiator.

Extraversion Don't talk a lot. Very accurate 1

This is highly accurate for both personas. Bruce Banner is often portrayed as quiet and reserved, while the Hulk's speech is typically limited to short, simple phrases. In the comics and films, the Hulk is famous for his minimalistic dialogue, often reduced to phrases like 'Hulk smash!' or 'Puny god,' as seen in 'The Avengers' (2012).

Extraversion Talk to a lot of different people at parties. Very inaccurate 1

Both as Bruce Banner and the Hulk, he is not known for being sociable at parties. Banner often avoids social gatherings due to the risk of transforming, while the Hulk's limited vocabulary and aggressive nature preclude extensive socializing. In 'The Incredible Hulk' (2008), we see Banner actively avoiding crowds and social situations to maintain control.

Extraversion Am the life of the party. Very inaccurate 1

The Hulk is rarely the 'life of the party' in social situations. His alter ego, Bruce Banner, is often portrayed as introverted and reserved. When transformed into the Hulk, he tends to cause destruction and panic rather than positive social energy. For example, in 'The Avengers' (2012), Hulk's appearance at the Helicarrier causes chaos and fear among the crew.

* AI-Generated Responses are text output captured from entering an item-related question for this character into a generative AI model such as Chat-GPT, Google Gemini, or Anthropic's Claude. For example, a question for the item "Like order" would be "Does <Character Name> like order?".