Personality tests require a precarious balance of trust

The quest for self identity is often hindered by the standards of “uniqueness” that the Gen-Z generation The quest for self identity is often hindered by the standards of “uniqueness” that the Gen-Z generation values. Personality tests such as the MBTI and the Five Factor Model appear to be simple solutions and are used in a variety of applications that range from the workplace to individual counseling, despite scientific questions of accuracy. Other less serious assessments such as fictional characters, or animal quizzes (Pottermore, BuzzFeed, etc.) have also risen in popularity and are entries to likeminded communities focused on results or the topic.

The “Barnum effect” is akin to a type of the “placebo effect” where an individual believes results of statements about self such as personality test results, crystal ball reading, horoscopes etc. apply to them specifically when they are in reality generally written. Even more so, people are more likely to believe positive general statements than negative ones, such as those a personality test offers.

The “Pollyanna Principle,” otherwise known as the positivity bias, details that “individuals like to be complimented and will more likely accept positive comments about themselves and believe them to be accurate, even if they are general and vague” (decisionlab). In association with the Barnum effect, unclear and general statements that are advertised as a defining factor of your personality type are easily accepted. Compounded by the self-validation that takers seek, the tests can feel accurate in accordance to their identity.

little boxes of categories, simplifying social situations. In a perfect wisdom on every one of their quirks or behaviors, saving people from in the world do not have a built-in template to their personality. cannot be unlocked at just a glance into their profile.

with the test. Each person answers questions about themselves, but deliberately change an answer to construct a better image of themselves, or see. This implicit bias will skew the accuracy of said test, even when behavior, but individuals base their personalities on contextual personality depending on the situation, or the environment that the behaviors are not static or fixed, so a single day or event could be the representation of that person, object, or situation. They automatically humans to quickly perceive the world with minimal effort. These detrimental in nuanced practice, so the inaccurate social road individuality in uniqueness that humans crave. People want peace in knowing others share their quirks. The unassuming personality previously unknown while gaining a place in the world. some, but cannot capture the true depth of a person. quizzes is its universality. The affirming recognition in self is a dopamine shot everyone has experienced. someone’s whole character or merely assigns a spirit their mind. It can draw attention to strengths and improve what may be holding them back. quiz is a fun, relatable test to discover results should not be taken too seriously. ever-changing creatures, so we should when they have the capacity and grow.

The tests often provide information such as who an individual works best with, their level of introversion or extroversion, and their learning method (visual, auditory, kinetic). The level of accuracy greatly varies, and the pitfalls of these inventions lies in the amount of trust a taker puts in them. Some assessments will most likely ring true, but giving these tests the ability to define a person is an unsound and unstudied idea in a quest for self-validation. Not only could they feel correct, due to the Barnum effect, they leave no room for questions. With only a set number of personality types and responses possible, it is out of the question for a test to be 100% correct. However, because of the statements that people feel are accurate, the legitimacy of these tests will remain unquestioned, and continue to draw more takers.

As personality tests rise in popularity and are used more frequently, another trademark of Gen-Z, peer pressure has contributed to the growth. For the lighter tests that match with fictional characters, animals, houses, etc., the more people that use them, the more others hear about them. These tests relate takers to others and naturally spread from one person until the next wants to do it out of a need to relate to these people and find their own community.

Self-actualization is the peak of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, so it is no wonder that people want to figure themselves out. In today’s day and age, online personality tests seem the solution. In their accessibility and availability, these tests readily provide their users with information about themselves. However, the ease in which people access these tests, and the number of people who use them, seem to provide an illusion of credibility that does not exist.

While not necessarily bad, the results of the test that connect an individual to a certain group can lead takers to ignore the other aspects of their personality that do not “fit” into the category. While personality tests are a nice summary of one’s personality, they are just that: a brief summary.

Psychology is considered a soft science not because it is less scientificallybased than other hard sciences, but because understanding the brain is subjective compared to understanding of physics. The personality archetype is nuanced because the human brain is brimming with complexities. To limit the human personality to the confines of 16 personalities is at best, ignorant, and at worst, deceiving.

On the other hand, however, access to a community that shares many of the same interests and some characteristics of personality can be a positive source of role models and validation. Developing personality is a part of finding self-identity and can bring confidence and a feeling of belonging. Not only that, the connections that these tests give with others are a conversation starter - and an entry into a friendship formed on mutual interest. Like anything, the tests themselves are not inherently evil - nor is wanting to take them because of others, they just require a balance to healthily navigate.

Overall, these tests help takers find their group in relation to others, providing information on Info about who you work well with, about your personality, about the kind of people like you are all factors that draw people in. Even if the tests are not completely accurate, they validate self, and people will keep returning to take them.