In Psychology classes, students discuss the different types of personality, and how to find out what type you have. It's not just black and white however, there are many different measuring tests and techniques, which make discovering your own personality more complex. Here are a few of the measuring tools for the different personality types below!
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What is personality?
Personality is "the combination of characteristics or qualities that form an individual's distinctive character."
The following techniques are three of the most popular methods for measuring personality, The Big 5 Theory, Carl Jung and Isabel Briggs Meyers' Typology Test (the four-letter formula), and the Enneagram.
The Big 5 (O.C.E.A.N.)
There are 5 factors that The Big 5 measures, these include:
O p e n - m i n d e d n e s s
C o n c i e n t i o u s n e s s
E x t r a v e r s i o n
A g r e e a b l e n e s s
N e u r o t i c i s m
These are easy to remember using the acronym, O.C.E.A.N.
You can click here to download the test, and get descriptions of each personality type.
This test doesn't give you one answer, it gives you 5. You will get a score for each of the 5 factors, and these results will be able to show you where you fall on each spectrum of personality factors. So one person may score high in open-mindedness, and another person may score low. Each score can help you analyze your own personality and notice stronger/weaker patterns.
When you're determining your score results, some question numbers have an 'R' next to it. This means, you will reverse the score you wrote down for that question number in order to get an accurate test score. So if you put '1' you would record it as '5' when adding up your results at the end. If question 22 says '22R' on the last page (calculating results page), then you'd observe your answer let's say '2' and you'd right down '4' when adding up your results (3 will stay the same).
Carl Jung and Isabel Briggs Meyers' Typology Test
This test has 16 possible results, instead of the above test which gives you 5 variations of each result, and is a mix of theories by Jung and Briggs-Meyers' research. Below are brief descriptions of each personality type from 16Personalities:
1. Architect Personality (INTJ)
"Architects form just two percent of the population, and women of this personality type are especially rare, forming just 0.8% of the population – it is often a challenge for them to find like-minded individuals who are able to keep up with their relentless intellectualism and chess-like maneuvering. People with the Architect personality type are imaginative yet decisive, ambitious yet private, amazingly curious, but they do not squander their energy."
2. Logician Personality (INTP)
"The Logician personality type is fairly rare, making up only three percent of the population, which is definitely a good thing for them, as there’s nothing they’d be more unhappy about than being “common”. Logicians pride themselves on their inventiveness and creativity, their unique perspective and vigorous intellect. Usually known as the philosopher, the architect, or the dreamy professor."
3. Commander Personality (ENTJ)
"People with this personality type embody the gifts of charisma and confidence, and project authority in a way that draws crowds together behind a common goal. However, Commanders are also characterized by an often ruthless level of rationality, using their drive, determination and sharp minds to achieve whatever end they’ve set for themselves. Perhaps it is best that they make up only three percent of the population."
4. Debater Personality (ENTP)
"The Debater personality type is the ultimate devil’s advocate, thriving on the process of shredding arguments and beliefs and letting the ribbons drift in the wind for all to see. Debaters don’t do this because they are trying to achieve some deeper purpose or strategic goal, but for the simple reason that it’s fun. No one loves the process of mental sparring more than Debaters, as it gives them a chance to exercise their effortlessly quick wit, broad accumulated knowledge base, and capacity for connecting disparate ideas to prove their points."
5. Advocate Personality (INFJ)
"The Advocate personality type is very rare, making up less than one percent of the population, but they nonetheless leave their mark on the world. As members of the Diplomat Role group, Advocates have an inborn sense of idealism and morality, but what sets them apart is that they are not idle dreamers, but people capable of taking concrete steps to realize their goals and make a lasting positive impact."
6. Mediator Personality (INFP)
*Also Kay from Rose-Minded's personality type!
"Mediator personalities are true idealists, always looking for the hint of good in even the worst of people and events, searching for ways to make things better. While they may be perceived as calm, reserved, or even shy, Mediators have an inner flame and passion that can truly shine. Comprising just 4% of the population, the risk of feeling misunderstood is unfortunately high for the Mediator personality type – but when they find like-minded people to spend their time with, the harmony they feel will be a fountain of joy and inspiration."
7. Protagonist Personality (ENFJ)
"Protagonists are natural-born leaders, full of passion and charisma. Forming around two percent of the population, they are oftentimes our politicians, our coaches and our teachers, reaching out and inspiring others to achieve and to do good in the world. With a natural confidence that begets influence, Protagonists take a great deal of pride and joy in guiding others to work together to improve themselves and their community."
8. Campaigner Personality (ENFP)
"The Campaigner personality is a true free spirit. They are often the life of the party, but unlike types in the Explorer Role group, Campaigners are less interested in the sheer excitement and pleasure of the moment than they are in enjoying the social and emotional connections they make with others. Charming, independent, energetic and compassionate, the 7% of the population that they comprise can certainly be felt in any crowd."
9. Logistician Personality (ISTJ)
"The Logistician personality type is thought to be the most abundant, making up around 13% of the population. Their defining characteristics of integrity, practical logic and tireless dedication to duty make Logisticians a vital core to many families, as well as organizations that uphold traditions, rules and standards, such as law offices, regulatory bodies and military."
10. Defender Personality (ISFJ)
"The Defender personality type is quite unique, as many of their qualities defy the definition of their individual traits. Though sensitive, Defenders have excellent analytical abilities; though reserved, they have well-developed people skills and robust social relationships; and though they are generally a conservative type, Defenders are often receptive to change and new ideas."
11. Executive Personality (ESTJ)
"Executives are representatives of tradition and order, utilizing their understanding of what is right, wrong and socially acceptable to bring families and communities together. Embracing the values of honesty, dedication and dignity, people with the Executive personality type are valued for their clear advice and guidance, and they happily lead the way on difficult paths."
12. Consul Personality (ESFJ)
"People who share the Consul personality type are, for lack of a better word, popular – which makes sense, given that it is also a very common personality type, making up twelve percent of the population. In high school, Consuls are the cheerleaders and the quarterbacks, setting the tone, taking the spotlight and leading their teams forward to victory and fame. Later in life, Consuls continue to enjoy supporting their friends and loved ones, organizing social gatherings and doing their best to make sure everyone is happy."
13. Virtuoso Personality (ISTP)
"Virtuosos love to explore with their hands and their eyes, touching and examining the world around them with cool rationalism and spirited curiosity. People with this personality type are natural Makers, moving from project to project, building the useful and the superfluous for the fun of it, and learning from their environment as they go. Often mechanics and engineers, Virtuosos find no greater joy than in getting their hands dirty pulling things apart and putting them back together, just a little bit better than they were before."
14. Adventurer Personality (ISFP)
"Adventurer personalities are true artists, but not necessarily in the typical sense where they’re out painting happy little trees. Often enough though, they are perfectly capable of this. Rather, it’s that they use aesthetics, design and even their choices and actions to push the limits of social convention."
15. Entrepreneur Personality (ESTP)
"Entrepreneurs always have an impact on their immediate surroundings – the best way to spot them at a party is to look for the whirling eddy of people flitting about them as they move from group to group. Laughing and entertaining with a blunt and earthy humor, Entrepreneur personalities love to be the center of attention. If an audience member is asked to come on stage, Entrepreneurs volunteer – or volunteer a shy friend."
16. Entertainer Personality (ESFP)
"If anyone is to be found spontaneously breaking into song and dance, it is the Entertainer personality type. Entertainers get caught up in the excitement of the moment, and want everyone else to feel that way, too. No other personality type is as generous with their time and energy as Entertainers when it comes to encouraging others, and no other personality type does it with such irresistible style."
Enneagram
The Enneagram was recommended to me by one of my Psychology classmates/friends, and I was told it was the best test that he's used to determine personality. I also know a therapist that only uses this test to measure personality, so I thought I would include this test as well!
I hope you learned interesting information about yourself and your personality! Comment your personality type in the comments below, and share with your friends to see their personality types too! If you have any questions, feel free to contact us here.
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