IMAGE SPACEHOLDER

The concept of personality, has long been debated by scientists, and many people have tried to measure or categorise personality traits. However, our personality changes over time, so how can we measure something that is always in flux? and should we even try?

Many personality tests exist and are still regularly used (especially within the capitalist corporate world). Two of the more well known tests are 'The Big 5' and the 'Myers-Briggs' tests which ask questions in order to assign a person to a certain category.

Though personality tests can be fun and give us ideas about ourselves or others to consider, we must also be wary of taking them too seriously. Throughout history, humans have theorised about personality, and much of the research around personality was conducted through a very narrow, western lens.

Research has also shown that personality tests are not reliable, as they often produce different results when repeated. Stereotyping ourselves or others based on a test result could keep us from exploring the uniqueness and complexity of ourselves or those around us.

Something to ponder…

Personality tests began evolving around a century ago, during the First World War. They were developed to ‘study personality problems’ and mental health, however, anything test that is based around a standardised norm is likely very problematic - because the ‘norm’ does not represent all human variety, nor should it be the ‘best’ way to exist in the world. Many academics now consider personality tests to be ableist, racist, sexist and classist.

This article from The Guardian explores the problematic nature of personality tests in more depth.