At some point in our lives, we’ve all been asked if we’re introverts or extroverts, followers or leaders, and, of course, as Michiganders, if we love nature or prefer the city.
You’ve probably seen those kinds of questions on personality quizzes, and if you enjoy taking them, you’re not alone, as there are good reasons we often feel drawn to those types of assessments and the insight they can offer.
“As humans, we are naturally curious,” said Dr. Susan Albers. “We have an inherent desire to know ourselves better. Personality quizzes are a great avenue for helping us to identify our traits, our reactions, and patterns to know ourselves better.”
The results can be revealing, says Albers, a psychologist for the Cleveland clinic.
“Personality quizzes are like a mirror,” Albers said. “They reflect back to us aspects of ourselves that we may not see. They help us to take ourselves a little bit deeper, to understand who we are.”
Albers stressed that personality quizzes differ from clinical assessments, which trained professionals use to help diagnose mental health issues.
Personality quizzes are typically more for entertainment, but they can help us better understand our reactions and intentions.
“With the results, we have to have a little caveat,” Albers said. “We tend to look at the results under what is known as a ‘Confirmation bias.’ We tend to look for information that confirms the results of these assessments. So, this may or may not be an accurate description of you. Consider it to be a starting point for investigating a little bit deeper into yourself, your characteristics, and who you are.”
Albers says you can also use the information to improve your relationships and your career by better understanding your strengths and weaknesses.
The answers can also you help you focus more on what’s truly important to you.