Character Source Material: Big Bang Theory, The (TV Series, CBS)
He is an astrophysicist and Howard Wolowitz’s best friend. He has selective mutism, which means he cannot talk to women outside of his family unless he is under the influence of alcohol or medication. He is from New Delhi. He also likes comic books, video games and sci-fi movies.
Raj has been described as a shy, sweet and nerdy guy who loves astronomy and pop culture. He is loyal to his friends and tries to be romantic with women, but often fails due to his anxiety and awkwardness. He sometimes acts like a spoiled brat when he doesn’t get his way, but he also has a big heart and cares deeply about his family and friends.
Trait | Percentile | Trait Disposition |
---|---|---|
Neuroticism | 2.46 | Low |
Agreeableness | 46.08 | Average |
Extraversion | 1.85 | Low |
Conscientiousness | 5.28 | Low |
Openness | 97.88 | High |
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 | Yes, Raj Koothrappali has a good imagination. He has the ability to create or visualize images, scenarios, or ideas that are not present in reality or based on sensory perception. He can use his imagination for various purposes, such as entertainment, creativity, problem-solving, or coping. He can also express his imagination through different media, such as writing, drawing, speaking, or acting. He has a rich and diverse imagination that reflects his personality, interests, and emotions. |
Openness | Am not interested in abstract ideas. | Very Inaccurate | 5 | No, Raj Koothrappali is interested in abstract ideas. He enjoys exploring and discussing various topics that are not based on concrete or observable facts, but rather on imagination, intuition, logic, or speculation. He likes to challenge himself and expand his horizons by learning about different fields of knowledge and ways of thinking. He also likes to share his thoughts and opinions with his friends or other people who are interested in abstract ideas. He is not bored or indifferent to abstract ideas, but rather curious and enthusiastic about them. |
Openness | Have difficulty understanding abstract ideas. | Very Inaccurate | 5 | No, Raj Koothrappali does not have difficulty understanding abstract ideas. He is a highly intelligent and educated person, who has a PhD in astrophysics and works at Caltech. He is familiar with complex and abstract concepts such as the origin of the universe, the nature of dark matter, the formation of stars and planets, and the possibility of alien life. He is also interested in philosophy, religion, art, literature, and culture, and he can appreciate different perspectives and interpretations of reality. He is not limited by his own beliefs or biases, and he is open to new ideas and experiences. |
Openness | Have a vivid imagination. | Very Accurate | 5 | Yes, Raj Koothrappali has a vivid imagination. He often daydreams or fantasizes about various scenarios, such as being a superhero, a spy, a prince, a rock star, or a successful lover. He also likes to create stories or scenarios with his friends, such as playing Dungeons & Dragons, making a horror movie, or pretending to be astronauts. He sometimes uses his imagination to cope with his problems or escape from reality, such as imagining his dog Cinnamon as his girlfriend, or his ex-girlfriends as his friends. He also uses his imagination to express his creativity or passion, such as writing a sci-fi novel, designing a board game, or making a speech. |
Neuroticism | Seldom feel blue. | Moderately Accurate | 2 | Raj is shown to have a positive and optimistic outlook on life, and he often finds joy in his hobbies and friendships. While he may struggle with feelings of loneliness or inadequacy at times, he is generally able to overcome these emotions and maintain a positive attitude. Overall, while Raj may experience periods of sadness or distress, he is not portrayed as someone who seldom feels blue or who is chronically unhappy. |
Neuroticism | Am relaxed most of the time. | Very Accurate | 1 | He is often seen enjoying himself and having fun with his friends, and he tends to approach life with a positive and optimistic attitude. While he can become anxious or nervous in certain situations, particularly around women, these moments are relatively rare and do not define his overall demeanor. Raj is known for his sense of humor and his ability to go with the flow, and he often serves as a calming influence on his more high-strung friends. Overall, while Raj may have his moments of stress or anxiety, he is generally portrayed as a relaxed and laid-back person. |
Neuroticism | Get upset easily. | Very Inaccurate | 1 | While he may become upset or frustrated in certain situations, he does not appear to be someone who gets upset easily on a regular basis. Raj is generally good-natured and easygoing, and he tends to avoid conflict or confrontation whenever possible. However, he is also shown to have moments of vulnerability, particularly when it comes to his personal relationships and social interactions. In these instances, he may be more likely to become upset or anxious. Overall, while Raj is not immune to getting upset, he is not portrayed as someone who is easily upset on a regular basis. |
Neuroticism | Have frequent mood swings. | Moderately Inaccurate | 2 | Raj Koothrappali, a fictional character from the television show 'The Big Bang Theory,' is portrayed as a somewhat sensitive and emotionally complex individual, but there is no indication that he experiences frequent mood swings. He has been shown to have anxiety and shyness around women, which can sometimes cause him to behave erratically or nervously in their presence. However, this is not necessarily indicative of mood swings, as he is generally consistent in his behavior and emotions throughout the series. Overall, while Raj may have emotional ups and downs like any other person, there is no evidence to suggest that he experiences frequent mood swings as a consistent aspect of his personality. |
Conscientiousness | Make a mess of things. | Moderately Accurate | 2 | I don’t know for sure, but based on what I said before, I would guess that Raj Koothrappali does make a mess of things. He seems to be messy and disorganized, and he might not care much about order or cleanliness. He might also make mistakes or cause problems in his work, his relationships, or his personal life. He might have trouble dealing with his emotions, his social anxiety, or his insecurities. He might need some guidance or support from others to overcome his challenges and achieve his goals. However, this is just my speculation based on the information I found online. In this context, a human might say that Raj is not very skilled or successful when it comes to making a mess of things. |
Conscientiousness | Often forget to put things back in their proper place. | Moderately Accurate | 2 | I don’t know for sure, but based on what I said before, I would guess that Raj Koothrappali does forget to put things back in their proper place. He seems to be messy and disorganized, and he might not care much about order or cleanliness. He might also be distracted by other things, such as his work, his friends, or his hobbies. He might need some reminders or help from others to keep his space tidy and organized. However, this is just my speculation based on the information I found online. In this context, a human might say that Raj is not very attentive or careful when it comes to putting things back in their proper place. |
Conscientiousness | Like order. | Neither Inaccurate nor Accurate | 3 | I could not find any specific information about Raj’s preference for order, but based on his personality and background, I would guess that he does not like order very much. He comes from a wealthy family in India, where he had servants to do most of the household work for him1 He also seems to be messy and disorganized in his work and personal space He often has trouble making decisions and sticking to them3 He also likes to collect various items, such as comic books, action figures, and Funko Pops. Therefore, I think Raj is not very fond of order or structure, and he might prefer some chaos and variety in his life. However, this is just my speculation based on the information I found online. In this context, a human might say that Raj is not very neat or tidy when it comes to order. |
Conscientiousness | Get chores done right away. | Moderately Inaccurate | 2 | I could not find any specific information about Raj’s habits regarding chores, but based on his personality and background, I would guess that he does not get them done right away. He comes from a wealthy family in India, where he had servants to do most of the household work for him He also seems to be lazy and procrastinate on his work and personal projects He often relies on his friends, especially Howard and Penny, to help him with his problems and tasks. Therefore, I think Raj is not very good at doing chores on his own initiative, and he might need some encouragement or assistance from others to get them done. However, this is just my speculation based on the information I found online. In this context, a human might say that Raj is not very responsible or organized when it comes to chores. |
Agreeableness | Am not interested in other people's problems. | Moderately Inaccurate | 4 | No, Raj Koothrappali, a character from the TV show 'The Big Bang Theory,' is generally portrayed as someone who is interested in other people's problems and is willing to listen and offer support. Despite his shyness and introverted nature, he is often shown to be a good listener and a source of comfort and advice for his friends. Raj is known for his caring and empathetic nature and is often attuned to the emotional needs of those around him. He is willing to go out of his way to help his friends and is often a sounding board for their problems and concerns. That being said, Raj's shyness and social anxiety can sometimes make it difficult for him to express his concern and support in the way that he would like. However, his caring nature and willingness to help his friends are a consistent part of his character throughout the show. |
Agreeableness | Am not really interested in others. | Moderately Inaccurate | 4 | No, Raj Koothrappali, a character from the TV show 'The Big Bang Theory,' is generally portrayed as someone who is interested in others, despite his shyness and introverted nature. While he may struggle with initiating conversations, particularly with people he doesn't know well, he is often shown to be genuinely interested in getting to know people and learning more about their lives. Raj is known for being a good listener and is often able to pick up on details and nuances that others may overlook. He is also shown to be a loyal and supportive friend, who cares deeply about the well-being of those close to him. That being said, Raj's social anxiety and shyness can sometimes make it difficult for him to express his interest in others in the way that he would like. However, his genuine curiosity and desire to connect with others are a consistent part of his character throughout the show. |
Agreeableness | Feel others' emotions. | Moderately Accurate | 4 | In the TV show 'The Big Bang Theory,' Raj Koothrappali is portrayed as a sympathetic and caring person who is attuned to the feelings of others. He is often able to pick up on social cues and emotional signals, and he is known for being a good listener and a source of comfort and support for his friends. |
Agreeableness | Sympathize with others' feelings. | Moderately Accurate | 4 | Yes, Raj Koothrappali, a character from the TV show 'The Big Bang Theory,' is generally portrayed as a kind and empathetic person who sympathizes with others' feelings. Despite his shyness and introverted nature, he cares deeply about his friends and often goes out of his way to help them. Raj is known for being a good listener and is often a source of comfort and support for his friends when they are going through difficult times. He is also shown to be sensitive to the feelings of others and tries to avoid hurting or offending people. That being said, Raj's shyness and social anxiety can sometimes make it difficult for him to express his sympathy and support in the way that he would like. However, his caring nature and desire to help his friends are a consistent part of his character throughout the show. |
Extraversion | Keep in the background. | Very Accurate | 1 | Yes, Raj Koothrappali, a character from the TV show 'The Big Bang Theory,' often prefers to keep in the background and avoid being the center of attention. He is portrayed as a shy and introverted person who is more comfortable observing and listening than actively participating in social situations. Raj often struggles to initiate conversations, particularly with people he doesn't know well, and he tends to hang back and let others take the lead. He is also often hesitant to express his opinions and feelings, preferring to avoid conflict and keep the peace. That being said, there are instances in the show where Raj becomes more assertive and takes on a more prominent role, particularly when he is around his close friends. However, his tendency to keep in the background is a defining characteristic of his personality throughout the series. |
Extraversion | Don't talk a lot. | Moderately Accurate | 2 | Yes, it's true that Raj Koothrappali, a character from the TV show 'The Big Bang Theory,' doesn't talk a lot, especially around women. In the early seasons of the show, Raj had a condition called selective mutism, which made it difficult for him to speak to anyone outside his immediate circle of friends. Even after he overcomes his selective mutism, Raj remains shy and introverted, particularly when it comes to socializing with women. He often struggles to initiate conversations and frequently relies on his friends, particularly Howard, to help him break the ice. That being said, there are instances in the show where Raj talks quite a bit, particularly when he is around people he knows well or when he has had a few drinks. However, his quiet and reserved nature is a defining characteristic of his personality throughout the show. |
Extraversion | Talk to a lot of different people at parties. | Moderately Inaccurate | 2 | He often struggles to speak to people he doesn't know well, and in the early seasons, he had a condition called selective mutism that made it difficult for him to speak to anyone outside his immediate circle of friends. That being said, there are instances in the show where Raj does talk to lots of different people at parties, especially after he has had a few drinks. However, he usually requires the support of his close friends to help him initiate conversations, and he often relies on alcohol to loosen up and become more social. So, while Raj does sometimes talk to lots of different people at parties, it's not his natural inclination, and he often needs a little push from his friends or a little liquid courage to get him started. |
Extraversion | Am the life of the party. | Moderately Inaccurate | 2 | Raj Koothrappali is a fictional character from the television show 'The Big Bang Theory.' He is portrayed as a shy and introverted person who often struggles to speak to women, particularly when sober. While he has been known to let loose and have fun at parties, he is not typically considered the life of the party due to his reserved personality. However, there are instances in the show where he does become more outgoing and confident, and in those moments he can be quite charming and entertaining. |