personality test results
A lot of personality tests don't describe me accurately. I came across the similarminds.com website and decided to take some of them.
Here's one:
Here's what I think was inaccurate:
Gregariouasness - I'm not extroverted or shy & reclusive, but I'm not in between either. There are, in my opinion, two types of introversion: a) low-level interacter and b) short-burst interacter. They are using a scale with the first type of introversion contrasted with extroversion. I'm the second type of introvert. I talk a lot and interact a lot when I'm around others, but have a strong need for non-interacting time. So basically my behavior alternates between extreme introvert and fairly extroverted, rarely in between. In my case it's probably because of the on/off nature of many things I do being extended to socializing.
Assertiveness - I have no idea why they think I'm not assertive. It seems like they're confusion cautiousness, assertiveness and need to control others, three separate traits. I'm very assertive, cautious, and not very interested in controlling others (except for my brother sometimes, when I'm overwhelmed).
Leadership - They seem to assume that since I'm not concerned with leading others, I stay in the background. Once again, they are ignoring the third pattern. There are not only leaders and followers, but also non-conformists.
Provocativeness - I don't try to cause trouble for the sake of trouble, but I don't try to avoid conflict either. I base my actions towards others mainly on whether I think it's the right thing to do, not on how they'll react.
Self-Disclosure - For some reason, it says I'm not high on this, even though I've been known to tell people I've just met that I'm autistic, a sexual abuse survivor, or both. Not sure why. Their definition of high self-disclosure sounds like it fits me. Perhaps me and the test had different ideas about what some question meant (kind of like the question "I talk too much". I said it was definately not true of me, because I'm fine with talking a lot, but they probably interpreted that as me not being talkative).
Cooperative - It scores me as high on this. I'm not competitive or warlike, but neither am I "agreeable and peaceful". It seems to be looking on a scale from highly competitive to highly cooperative, and I'm highly independent instead.
Tenderness - Why did it rate that low? I am very caring about the suffering of others. I try to calm my rat Anja down when she's scared by moving little letting her hide, being quiet and not making her the center of attention. Maybe they overgeneralized from my tendency to have little sympathy for people who think you should avoid telling them what you really believe in order to spare their feelings. This test is probably very inaccurate for most activists, because activism is usually a combination of being very empathetic and fighting for what you believe in.
Nurturance - Also inaccurate. I don't put myself ahead of others or others ahead of myself, but they took my saying it was "very innacurate" to describe myself as putting others ahead of myself to mean I put myself ahead of others. I believe I'm no better or worse than anyone else, although how I feel about my worth varies widely.
Efficiency - Why do they equate unreliable and lazy? Those are not the same. Lazy is one end of the extreme, unreliable represents variability. A person who is truly unreliable is lazy sometimes and very hard-working other times, like myself. In my case, it's because of differences in executive functions, the cognitive functions involved in planning and regulating thinking and activity.
Dutifulness - They have the same innacurate assumption I've described so often - considering two traits opposite and thinking everyone can be put on a spectrum of those traits when actually some people are different. I'm not leisurely, derelict, strict or rule-abiding. I think up my own rules to follow rather than automatically following society's rules. I think about whether the rules are correct, and only follow good rules.
Perfectionism - Yet another case of ignoring the third option. The book Strong-Willed Child or Dreamer describes my kind of perfectionism well. That is perfectionism that, rather than being characterized by focusing on details and doing it over again until it's perfect, assumes that either it will be perfect first try or I'll never be good at it and might as well give up now.
On the other hand, this test managed to pick up on my mood swings, creativity and 'need for cognition' alright. Of course, those are areas in which the standard way of having those traits isn't that far different from me.
Here's one:
Factor | low score | high score | |
Gregariousness | 46% | quiet, reclusive | engaging, socially bold |
Sociability | 58% | withdrawn, hidden | warm, open, inviting |
Assertiveness | 30% | timid, gunshy | controlling, aggressive |
Poise | 42% | uneasy around others | socially comfortable |
Leadership | 30% | stays in background | prefers to lead |
Provocativeness | 38% | modest, plays it safe | bold, uninhibited, cocky |
Self-Disclosure | 42% | private, contained | very open and revealing |
Talkativeness | 42% | quiet, stealthy, invisible | motor mouth, loud |
Group Attachment | 26% | loves solitude | prefers to be with others |
Understanding | 58% | insensitive, schizoid | respectful, sympathetic |
Warmth | 42% | disinterested in others | supportive, helpful |
Morality | 42% | break/ignore the rules | play by the rules |
Pleasantness | 42% | aloof or disagreeable | gets along with others |
Empathy | 46% | out of tune w/ others | in tune with others |
Cooperation | 82% | competitive, warlike | agreeable, peaceful |
Sympathy | 70% | socially inconsiderate | socially conscious |
Tenderness | 34% | cold hearted, selfish | warm hearted, selfless |
Nurturance | 34% | self pleasing, me first | people pleasing, me last |
Conscientiousness | 46% | reckless, unscheduled | careful, planner |
Efficiency | 26% | unreliable, lazy | finisher, follows through |
Dutifulness | 30% | leisurely, derelict | strict, rule abiding |
Purposefulness | 30% | inattentive, undisciplined | prepared, focused |
Organization | 58% | relaxed, oblivious | detail oriented, anal |
Cautiousness | 42% | impulsive, spendthrift | restrained, cautious |
Rationality | 70% | irrational, random | direct, logical |
Perfectionism | 42% | careless, error prone | detail obsessed |
Planning | 34% | disorganized, random | scheduled, clean |
Stability | 18% | easily frustrated | calm, cool, unphased |
Happiness | 38% | unhappy, dissatisfied | self content, positive |
Calmness | 30% | touchy, volatile | even tempered, tolerant |
Moderation | 50% | needs instant gratification | easily delays gratification |
Toughness | 26% | hypersensitive, moody | thick skinned |
Impulse Control | 46% | lacks self control | maintains composure |
Imperturbability | 26% | highly emotional | emotionally contained |
Cool-headedness | 70% | demanding, controlling | accommodating |
Tranquility | 26% | emotionally volatile | emotionally neutral |
Intellect | 90% | instinctive, non-analytical | intellectual, analytical |
Ingenuity | 78% | lacks new ideas | innovative, novel |
Reflection | 74% | unreflective, coarse | art and beauty lover |
Competence | 78% | slow to understand/think | intellectual, brainy |
Quickness | 90% | intellectually dependent | intellectually independent |
Introspection | 82% | not self reflective | self searching |
Creativity | 86% | dull headed | synthesizer, iconoclast |
Imagination | 66% | practical, realistic | dreamer, unrealistic |
Depth | 78% | lacks curiosity | mental explorer |
Here's what I think was inaccurate:
Gregariouasness - I'm not extroverted or shy & reclusive, but I'm not in between either. There are, in my opinion, two types of introversion: a) low-level interacter and b) short-burst interacter. They are using a scale with the first type of introversion contrasted with extroversion. I'm the second type of introvert. I talk a lot and interact a lot when I'm around others, but have a strong need for non-interacting time. So basically my behavior alternates between extreme introvert and fairly extroverted, rarely in between. In my case it's probably because of the on/off nature of many things I do being extended to socializing.
Assertiveness - I have no idea why they think I'm not assertive. It seems like they're confusion cautiousness, assertiveness and need to control others, three separate traits. I'm very assertive, cautious, and not very interested in controlling others (except for my brother sometimes, when I'm overwhelmed).
Leadership - They seem to assume that since I'm not concerned with leading others, I stay in the background. Once again, they are ignoring the third pattern. There are not only leaders and followers, but also non-conformists.
Provocativeness - I don't try to cause trouble for the sake of trouble, but I don't try to avoid conflict either. I base my actions towards others mainly on whether I think it's the right thing to do, not on how they'll react.
Self-Disclosure - For some reason, it says I'm not high on this, even though I've been known to tell people I've just met that I'm autistic, a sexual abuse survivor, or both. Not sure why. Their definition of high self-disclosure sounds like it fits me. Perhaps me and the test had different ideas about what some question meant (kind of like the question "I talk too much". I said it was definately not true of me, because I'm fine with talking a lot, but they probably interpreted that as me not being talkative).
Cooperative - It scores me as high on this. I'm not competitive or warlike, but neither am I "agreeable and peaceful". It seems to be looking on a scale from highly competitive to highly cooperative, and I'm highly independent instead.
Tenderness - Why did it rate that low? I am very caring about the suffering of others. I try to calm my rat Anja down when she's scared by moving little letting her hide, being quiet and not making her the center of attention. Maybe they overgeneralized from my tendency to have little sympathy for people who think you should avoid telling them what you really believe in order to spare their feelings. This test is probably very inaccurate for most activists, because activism is usually a combination of being very empathetic and fighting for what you believe in.
Nurturance - Also inaccurate. I don't put myself ahead of others or others ahead of myself, but they took my saying it was "very innacurate" to describe myself as putting others ahead of myself to mean I put myself ahead of others. I believe I'm no better or worse than anyone else, although how I feel about my worth varies widely.
Efficiency - Why do they equate unreliable and lazy? Those are not the same. Lazy is one end of the extreme, unreliable represents variability. A person who is truly unreliable is lazy sometimes and very hard-working other times, like myself. In my case, it's because of differences in executive functions, the cognitive functions involved in planning and regulating thinking and activity.
Dutifulness - They have the same innacurate assumption I've described so often - considering two traits opposite and thinking everyone can be put on a spectrum of those traits when actually some people are different. I'm not leisurely, derelict, strict or rule-abiding. I think up my own rules to follow rather than automatically following society's rules. I think about whether the rules are correct, and only follow good rules.
Perfectionism - Yet another case of ignoring the third option. The book Strong-Willed Child or Dreamer describes my kind of perfectionism well. That is perfectionism that, rather than being characterized by focusing on details and doing it over again until it's perfect, assumes that either it will be perfect first try or I'll never be good at it and might as well give up now.
On the other hand, this test managed to pick up on my mood swings, creativity and 'need for cognition' alright. Of course, those are areas in which the standard way of having those traits isn't that far different from me.
Labels: activism, autism, dreamer, executive functions, introvert, personality tests
3 Comments:
Those tests are often inaccurate, and what's really scary is that some companies use them in hiring decisions. That practice seriously needs to be banned.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Will you be posting again soon?
Post a Comment
<< Home