PERSONALITY TESTS FOR SELF-DISCOVERY

By Jonathan A. Paul

"Know yourself" is an ancient Greek saying attributed to the great teacher Socrates. Selecting a career path, a university or an area of study is a major decision. In order to help you make such difficult decisions, take a closer look inside yourself to discover your true personality and motivations.

Socrates used his method of asking probing questions to get his students to reflect on a problem and think through a solution. A similar process evolved to modern times, beginning in the 1950s, when the American psychologist George Kelly developed the personal construct concept. Constructs are applied to anything we put our attention to, including ourselves, and also strongly influence what we fix our attention on. Uncovering a person’s system of constructs is a critical process for understanding themself, especially the person’s constructs that represent character, fixed beliefs and the constructs a person applies to themself.

Psychologists have created diagnostic tests that translate constructs into a valuable picture of personality that can be processed and expressed in a way that can help validate your opinions about what is best for your future. The most popular approach among psychologists for studying personality traits today is the five-factor model, often referred to as the “Big Five” dimensions of personality. The Big Five personality traits are conscientiousness, agreeableness, emotional stability, extroversion and intellect or openness. Scores on these traits can often help explain important issues facing young adults.

Several online testing services exist to help you define your personality traits and direct you to achieve your greatest educational and career possibilities. One such testing resource is available at www.funeducation.com, where you can take assessments based on the Big Five model, at no cost, to identify your personal and career needs. Of the tests offered, the Career Personality Profile test is probably the most in-depth and will give you a number of answers about what fields of study and which profession track is the best fit for you. For instance, you might be surprised to learn that instead of the career in computer programming you thought you were sure to wind up in after majoring in computer science at State Tech University, your personality profile shows you are best suited for a life in graphic design.

A personality test can open doors for you that you did not even know were there. You can start to reach your potential when you have identified your individual strengths, and the information provided in a personality profile will allow you to focus on the things that matter the most in your life at this point.