Know Thyself

Personality tests are designed to determine a person’s character through patterns of behavior, thoughts and feelings. There are several different types of personality tests, all of which measure these factors by varying means.

Some tests measure personality traits based on the person’s responses to a set number of written questions. The subject applies each question to herself and finds the answer with the best fit. Other tests, like the Ink Blot Test, are objective. The subject describes what she sees on a series of picture panels and the test administrator interprets the subject’s answers. There is no set answer to each question, but the type of answer gives the tester insight into the subject’s personality.

Job counselors use personality tests to help people figure out the best career path. For example, someone with an introvert rating on the Myers-Briggs scale may do well as a research scientist but not so well as a sales person. In the realm of personal relationships, an introvert may feel misunderstood by her extroverted partner. Conversely, her partner may feel abandoned by her need for alone time. Personality tests help us to have a better understanding of ourselves and the people with whom we share this world.

Of course, one downside to any personality test is the subject’s ability to skew the results by anticipating the “right” answer. Answering honestly is the only way to get an accurate picture. Any test is only as good as the answers given.