Some people believe personality tests are just fanatical gibberish while others can hardly make a decision without consulting their personality profile. Both of these outlooks are unhealthy because, like most things in life, one can appreciate personality tests for practical purposes or just for fun in moderation. Just to be clear, when I say “personality tests” I mean big-name assessments like the Myers’ Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), the Keirsey Temperament Sorter and even zodiac signs — not “Which Disney Princess Are You?” quizzes on Buzzfeed.
When most people think of personality tests, astrology automatically comes to mind. However, I’ll be the first to admit that astrology has some questionable origins. Based in Babylonia, astrologists first started consulting stars and planets on issues like famine, disease or war. Nowadays, horoscopes are a source of harmless fun used to consult changes in a person’s career, friendships and love life based on a range of birth dates divided into 12 zodiac signs. In contrast to the obscure roots of astrology, the MBTI test was created by the mother-daughter team of Katherine Briggs and Isabel Myers in 1943 after the pair was inspired by Carl Jung’s publication of “Psychological Types.” The MBTI questionnaire is split into 16 personality types based on introvert/extrovert, sensing/intuition, thinking/feeling and judging/perceiving attributes.
Even though most users check their sign or type purely for recreation, personality tests can be used for more practical purposes like diagnosing mental health disorders, assessing job applicants or finding a sense of spirituality.
Psychologists routinely give their patients personality tests to narrow down disorders based on the patient’s answers and symptoms. These personality tests are called projective tests where patients respond to visual stimuli that can be analyzed like the Rorschach inkblot test. Counselors are also known to use personality tests to decide which treatment is best for a patient or to help them cope with normal problems in daily life. An example of this would be a middle school guidance counselor administering a personality test in order to find out which type of learner — visual, auditory or interactive — a child is based on his/her traits.
In addition, just like how companies pay attention to their workers’ social media accounts and screen them for potential substance abuse or theft, some businesses also use personality tests to determine how valuable a potential employee may be. Based on predictions of a job applicant’s work ethic, teamwork skills and attitude, companies can forecast how an employee will contribute to their overall profit and work environment. In turn, the employee can learn about which type of job is most suited for his/her strengths and weaknesses.
I once heard that people who believe in a higher power tend to live longer and less stressful lives. For those of us who are not religious, personality tests can provide an almost spiritual outlet instead. Even though putting too much stock into horoscopes or MBTI tests can be destructive and instigate stress, they also provide us with a certain amount of control over our lives — and who are we to judge someone else’s approach to inner-strength and happiness? Therefore, personality tests are harmless in the way they inspire trust and confidence in a world bent on pessimism.
Overall, it shouldn’t matter what motivates a person to believe in themselves and in others; the accomplishment in itself is enough. Therefore, if personality tests are able to help people, whether through counseling, finding a job or simply for fun, then they should be considered worthwhile.
