Everyone is curious about themselves. Whether it be reflecting on your past actions or asking your friends what kind of person you are, the idea of identity has been a struggle for many. Personality tests, which have gained popularity over the years, have since provided a window to discover new information about yourself. However, it has also been noted that such tests rarely reap correct results. Therefore, what continues to make personality tests interesting in spite of their inaccuracy, and is this inaccuracy harmful?
Originally, according to the National Library of Medicine, personality tests were created to identify if soldiers were prone to shellshock or breakdowns during enemy attacks. As time progressed, several other personality tests were created for purposes outside the military. For example, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was formed through Katharine Cook Briggs’ interest in sharing Carl Gustav Jung’s psychological type ideas with a wider audience when she saw how his ideas were similar to hers.
Although modern personality tests may not seem to be as useful as the ones that contributed to the selection of soldiers, they have proven to pique people’s interest. Nowadays, people tend to take personality tests from websites like BuzzFeed as a form of entertainment. According to Dr. Dana Dorfman, Ph.D., taking personality tests satiates our curiosity about human nature and assists us in understanding how we fit into the world. Taking personality tests makes us feel a sense of belonging and affirmation when we resonate with our results. Despite the chance of inaccuracy, results that tell you about yourself make you feel special or like you fit in better. This is what makes them so addicting. However, resonating with inaccurate results can also lead to stereotyping other people based on tests or changing yourself for the worse. This is what has caused personality tests to earn a bad reputation despite them being frequently enjoyed.
Nothing on earth can truly tell us who we are—not a personality test, not those around us, not ourselves. We are ever-changing people who cannot be confined to one “result.” It would not be right to judge people solely based on their Enneagram or MBTI type, just as we cannot judge someone based on their appearance. However, this does not mean personality tests are inherently bad or should be avoided. In the end, they are a form of entertainment, and what matters the most is that they are enjoyed and are a place of positivity. As long as boundaries are respected and it is known that these are just for fun, nothing is wrong with a silly little test. It can be difficult to avoid toxicity in personality tests. However, there will always be good people who are willing to simply have a laid-back conversation about something you both enjoy.
With a respectful attitude and kind words, personality tests and the communities surrounding them may become like a second home. Just keep in mind that, no matter what kind of “personality” or “result” anyone gets, everyone is worthy of love.
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