8 Types of Personality Tests to *Really* Help You Get to Know Yourself
An easy—fun, even!—way to get to know yourself and those (literally) close to you better is to make use of one of the myriad different types of personality tests available. Heck, make use of them all—you've got the time.
Here are 8 different types of personality tests to get you started on your path to self-discovery
1. Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator
What is it: Since its first publication in 1962 and popularization in the 1970s, millions of people have take the personality test to determine their Myers-Briggs type. It looks at four different facets of your personality: introverted vs extroverted, intuitive vs sensing, thinking vs feeling, and judging vs perceiving. (Any other INFPs out there?)
Why take it: Myers-Briggs is one of the most widely used personality tests and a favorite of career counselors and human resources departments. But knowing your type can have wide-ranging implications outside of the office, too. Find out your type, then use it to learn the best way to push yourself out of your comfort zone, or the top relationship issue for you. Knowing your partner's—or roommate's, friend's, or mom's—can also help you better communicate with them, so, share the wealth.
2. Enneagram
What is it: One of the oldest types of personality tests, the origins of the Enneagram personality test can be traced back to 4th century Christian mysticism. By associating with one of its nine different personality types—e.g. the Perfectionist, the Performer, the Observer—you can learn more about your strengths, weaknesses, and the way you understand the world (and your place within it).
Why take it: According to counseling psychologist Virginia Price, PhD, one of the authors of the Enneagram explainer The Essential Enneagram (published in 2000), “Discovering your Enneagram personality type can help you learn how to bring positive change into your life…It can help change the way you relate to yourself and others as well as give you a greater understanding of the circumstances and issues facing you.”
3. The 7 different types of rest
What it is: According to internal medicine physician Saundra Dalton-Smith, MD, there are seven different types of rest: physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, social, sensory, and creative. This quiz can help you figure out which one you need the most.
Why take it: Since being an adult is telling other people how tired you are all the time, you can now add a specific type of tiredness to your complaint. Oh, and knowing which area you're most exhausted in can help you, you know, come up with strategies to be less exhausted.
4. Stress signatures
What is it: Stress is universal, but that doesn't mean that everyone experiences stress the same way. According to Stephanie McClellan, MD, chief medical officer at the women's health clinic Tia, there are four "stress signatures" that explain the way our brains and bodies (because yep, there are physical symptoms of stress, too) respond to chronic stress. Take an 82-question test to learn whether you're a vigilant sprinter, vigilant pacer, reluctant sprinter, or reluctant pacer.
Why take it: The theory behind the quiz is that modern stress triggers can be broken down into three categories: being in a new situation, being in a situation where the odds are stacked against you, and being in a situation which may separate you from your clan—and it kind of feels like all of those situations are happening right now, at once.
5. The 5 Love Languages
What is it: You're probably familiar with the Five Love Languages: words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, and physical touch. Most people are dominant in one or two areas. (Mine are quality time and receiving gifts, just an FYI in case any paramours are reading this.) The Love Languages can help you communicate how you best receive love—from your partner, and also yourself.
Why take it: There's never been a better time to work on self-love than when stuck in a 600-square-foot apartment by yourself.
6. The 11 sex personality types
What is it: There are 11 sex personality types, according to licensed sex therapist Vanessa Marin. She designed these types to help couples have better communication about their sex lives.
Why take it: It's 2020 and no one should be having bad or mediocre sex on top of everything else!
7. Adult attachment styles
What is it: This quiz does for intimacy what the Love Languages do for love. It helps you determine what your attachment style is—secure, anxious, fearful avoidant, dismissive avoidant—and identify patterns in your dating life.
Why take it: Licensed clinical psychologist Dina Wirick, PhD, who has done research on attachment style, previously told Well+Good, “Your attachment style develops in infancy through your bond with your primary caregiver. This forms the way we see ourselves, others, and the world. It becomes part of who we are and is part of our personality.” Ever wonder why you can't seem to stay away from emotionally unavailable people? Understanding your attachment style can be majorly helpful for developing healthier relationships.
8. Self-soothing techniques for your zodiac sign
What is it: Even people who aren't into astrology can at least name their sun sign. Here, psychological astrologer Jennifer Freed, PhD, shares the best self-soothing method for each sign.
Why take it: Vaguely gestures at everything.
P.S. It's totally okay if you're not checking everything off your to-do list right now. And here are a psychologists tips on how to have less anxiety over things you can't control.
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