The Huge Frustration of Personality Tests
By: Christine Hammond, LMHC
Ok, I admit it. I have a love/hate relationship with
personality tests. And sadly, the tests that are most loved are the silly ones
like: which Star Wars, Disney Princess, or Harry Potter character are you? As a
cross between Darth Vader, Tiana (Princess and the Frog), and Dumbledore, I’m
not sure if I should be wearing all black, dressy white fur, or a colorful robe.
What these characters have in common is unclear, but it is amusing to take the
test and imagine.
Then there are the more involved assessments utilized by
coaches, career counselors, and employers to discover strengths and weaknesses
at the most basic level. Some of these are available on-line for free or
minimal cost. These tests can help avoid poor career choices, offer insight as
to strengths, suggest suitable mates, discover ideal environments and identify
leadership potential. Some examples include:
·
MAPP (Motivational
Appraisal of Personal Potential) assessment identifies a person’s ideal career
path, aptitude, temperament, and ability to relate to others.
·
Myers-Briggs Type
Indicator is widely used by employers to determine if a candidate is a good fit
for a particular position categorizing a person within 16 different personality
types.
·
StrengthsFinder
classifies key personality strengths in order to encourage a person to work
from their strengths instead of boosting up their weaknesses.
·
Enneagram labels nine
major types of personality, the worldview, basic desire and basic fear.
·
DISC (Dominant, Influential,
Steadfast, and Conscience) places a person in one or more of the four main
types of personality pinpointing ideal mates, motivations, and vocations.
The obvious downside of these exams is that they are
self-administered which makes the test is only as good as the honesty level of
the person taking it. If a person lacks self-awareness, these exams can be
frustrating adding to confusion instead of clarity. Even worse is when a person
relies on information from a friend or spouse to complete the test because the
nature of their personality is likely to color the responses.
Significantly lacking in all of the above mentioned
personality tests are personality disorders. A personality disorder by
definition means a person lacks objectivity, has no clear perception of
themselves and others, lack of affectivity of mood (either too intense or too
flat for the circumstances), poor interpersonal functioning (inability to
relate to others well), and significant impulse control in all areas of their
life. Of all the things an employer or potential spouse might want to know
about another person, this would seem to be high on the list.
Yet there is no good on-line, easy assessment for
personality disorders. Rather there is a lengthy (500+ questions) and expensive
version called the MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) which is
only administered and assessed by a trained psychologist. Once a personality
disorder is discovered, all of the above tests can become invalidated because
the person taking the exam lacks a clear understanding of how they relate
within their world.
This is part I hate about personality tests. They offer a
limited and sometimes inaccurate perspective, especially when a person has a
personality disorder. The very thing a test should be utilized for – Is there a
personality disorder or not – is the very issue that is not addressed.
So I’ll return to the fun assessments that liken a person to
a color, person, flower, or space ship. At least here, you truly get what you
pay for.
To schedule an
appointment with Christine Hammond, please call our office at 407-647-7005.