You are more than 4-digits.

As personality tests become more widespread, it’s important to ponder whether they holistically capture us.

In this blog post, we will explore various personality tests.

What is Personality Typologies

Personality typologies are systems grouping human behaviour and thought patterns into distinct types.

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is one of the most popular.

It divides people into 16 personality types based on four dichotomies:

• Introversion/Extraversion
• Sensing/Intuition
• Thinking/Feeling
• Judging/Perceiving

Others include the Big Five, which evaluates personality based on five dimensions, and the Enneagram, which outlines nine personality types based on core fears and desires.

These frameworks aim to give us insights into our behaviours, preferences, and compatibilities with others.

They all simplify the vast complexities of human nature into more digestible formats, which can be beneficial for self-understanding.

The Partial Picture of Personality Tests

While Personality Type Indicators offer a lens to view our personality traits, it’s crucial to understand that they provide a partial picture.

It focuses on how we perceive the world and make decisions, yet it does not account for the nuances that each individual’s experiences bring to their personality.

Personal history, cultural background, and emotional health also shape who we are.

But are not reflected in the Personality frameworks.

It can lead to an oversimplified view of our identities, with the risk of pigeonholing individuals into fixed types.

Personality tests are a starting point for self-exploration rather than a definitive classification.

It captures only a snapshot of our complex and dynamic personalities.

The Basics and Boundaries of MBTI

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a psychological assessment that categorizes people into 16 distinct personality types.

The MBTI groups individual preferences in four dimensions:

• Where you focus your attention (Extraversion/Introversion)
• How you take in information (Sensing/Intuition)
• How you make decisions (Thinking/Feeling)
• How you deal with the world around you (Judging/Perceiving)

These preferences partly shape our interests, values, and motivations.

However, the boundaries of the MBTI are evident.

Its binary choices do not capture the spectrum of human behaviour.

Personalities are fluid and can change based on context and over time, but the MBTI assumes consistency and static traits.

Moreover, the test relies on self-reported data, which can be skewed by how individuals wish to see themselves or think they should respond.

It’s important to recognize these limitations and understand that while the MBTI can offer insights, it is not a holistic view of one’s personality.

The Big Five, DISC, and Enneagram

It is worth exploring how personality extends well beyond the Myers-Briggs framework.

Here are other personality typologies worth considering in conjunction with the MBTI.

The Big Five

The Big Five personality traits model analyzes individuals based on five broad dimensions:

• openness
• conscientiousness
• extraversion
• agreeableness
• neuroticism.

Unlike MBTI’s type-based approach, the Big Five assesses these traits on a spectrum, offering a more nuanced picture of personality.

The DISC

Another tool, the DISC assessment, focuses on four primary behavioural traits:

• dominance
• influence
• steadiness
• compliance.

It helps the understanding of communication styles and team dynamics, especially in the workplace.

The Enneagram

The Enneagram describes nine personality types based on core fears and desires. This approach provides insights into motivation and emotional outlook.

Each framework has its strengths and limitations and can often be complementary.

They contribute to a broader understanding of individual differences by offering diverse lenses to view human behaviour and personality.

Ceilings and Floors: Every Perspective Counts

Whether it’s Myers-Briggs, the Big Five, or the Enneagram, they provide both ceilings and floors to our understanding of human nature.

Personality tests like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator provide valuable insights but are not definitive guides to who we are.

They help by giving structure to our self-understanding and facilitating communication about personality traits.

They set a floor by establishing a baseline of common traits and behaviours most people can identify with.

It gives us a starting point for self-reflection and interpersonal connection.

However, these tests have limits; they can oversimplify the rich tapestry of human behaviour and identity.

They also create a ceiling, limiting our understanding of ourselves by defining fixed categories or traits within us.

Every perspective counts because each framework illuminates different facets of our personality.

While some may offer depth in emotional drives, like the Enneagram, others provide breadth in behavioural tendencies, as seen in the Big Five and DISC.

To fully understand ourselves and others, it’s crucial to integrate these perspectives, acknowledging the ceilings and using the floors as a foundation for further exploration and growth.

Reframing Personality Frameworks as Growth Guides

When reframed as guides rather than labels, personality frameworks can help personal growth.

They can point out areas where we might improve, such as developing better listening skills or managing stress more effectively.

By understanding the tendencies associated with our personality type, we can set targeted goals for development.

These frameworks can encourage us to step out of our comfort zones and experiment with new behaviours.

For example, an introverted individual might try out networking events to build social skills, while an extrovert might practice solitary activities to foster introspection.

Ultimately, the goal is to use the insights gained from personality assessments to cultivate a balanced and well-rounded character.

They can guide us toward becoming more adaptable, empathetic, and resilient in every area of our lives.

The value lies in their ability to inspire continuous learning and self-improvement.

Final Thoughts

We are born with certain traits, which are called our TEMPERAMENT.

There are four main temperament groups:

• Sanguines who thrive on social interactions and find joy in connecting with people from all walks of life.
• Melancholics are known for their thoughtful and sensitive nature.
• Cholerics are driven, ambitious, and eager to take on new challenges.
• Phlegmatics are known for their calm and relaxed nature.

The second aspect contributing to our personality is our CHARACTER.

All our life experiences and how we grew up mould our character.

And finally, our PERSONALITY.

A unique blend of our TEMPERAMENT and CHARACTER forms our PERSONALITY.

Our personality develops and evolves depending on our life experiences.

We are more than just the score on a personality type.

We are unique in every way.

Remember — There is none like you.

Talk again soon

Belinda Basson — ReDefine Relationship Coach

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