My Personality, Unfolded

Those who know me might remember that personality psychology fascinates me, even though few research psychologists study personality. As a causality, personality should have some merit (especially if determinism is true and free will doesn't exist), yet there are few reliable scientific tests for studying psychology. I know of several tests that one can take that suggest one's personality, but the results from those can change by the minute, depending on weather, mood, and many other situational factors. (I will note here that I do not have a degree in psychology, so what observations and thoughts on the subject should have no bearing on any academic discussions of this field—but I would enjoy the input of any legitimate psychologists out there!)

Many people know about the Myers-Brigg test, based on Karl Jung's personality theories. Jung considered four factors and 16 personality types when determining personality, but Robert Bosman considers five factors, resulting in 32 personality types. Sometimes simpler is better, but complexity often results in greater accuracy. I tend to prefer complexity, except when  My close peers' personalities interest me most, but please share your speculations regarding the personalities of historical figures and of modern leaders. 

The following are a list of the online personality tests that I have found fruitful:

•  According to Myers-Briggs, I am an Introverted-Intuitive-Thinking-Perceiving personality type. I found this website for a free Myers-Briggs test, which directed me to Joe Butt's comprehensive web essay on the INTP personality profile.
• According to Robert Bosman, I am an Intuitive Scientist. Unfortunately, I could not find a free test that explicates all five factors, but Bosman does provide this free test of the three basic factors.  According to Bosman's website, I belong to a rare group since only 2% of the population has the same personality as I do. The prospect of a full profile intrigues me, but I am not tempted to fork over the cash.

You want to know, understand, explain and if necessary, re-create everything. This is why you consider the world around you an ingenious universal and enlightening model, in which everything has its natural place. With your intuitive intelligence and your objective, critical and analytical capacities, you are an expert in introducing subtle distinctions and exposing contradictions in word and deed and in concept and realization. You determine your priorities yourself and do not worry about the establishment.

 —according to my own Basic Personality Report,

from Bosman's Personality Matters website

• Finally, I found Kingdomality, a unique approach to personality assessment by Richard Silvano. Although it only considers three factors, it yields 12 possible personality traits, which are all based on romanticized character portraits of medieval European life. Using the Kingdomality system, one might describe oneself as a Builder, a Doctor, a Knight, etc. According to my Kingdomality profile, I am a Benevolent Ruler.

Your distinct personality, The Benevolent Ruler might be found in most of the thriving kingdoms of the time. You are the idealistic social dreamer. Your overriding goal is to solve the people problems of your world. You are a social reformer who wants everyone to be happy in a world that you can visualize. You are exceptionally perceptive about the woes and needs of humankind. You often have the understanding and skill to readily conceive and implement the solutions to your perceptions. On the positive side, you are creatively persuasive, charismatic and ideologically concerned. On the negative side, you may be unrealistically sentimental, scattered and impulsive, as well as deviously manipulative. Interestingly, your preference is just as applicable in today's corporate kingdoms.

—from Kingdomality's description of a Benevolent Ruler

If one combined the results of both tests (considering all of Bosman's and Silvano's factors), one should have a thoroughly accurate personality profile. Assuming there is some overlap between the two systems, any of 48 personality types could describe an individual's personality. Wow!

Whether this morning's introspective exercise has been a gigantic waste of my time, I will probably never know; however, I enjoyed the ride. Also, I think it helps to know oneself as well as possible, in order to best capitalize on one's strengths that one might further one's own ambitions and achieve lasting contentment.

Thanks for spending some time with me.