Targonski​ ​1

Caroline​ ​Targonski

Dr.​ ​Rhea​ ​Merck

Psyc​ ​440-001

18​ ​September​ ​2017

Personality​ ​Assessment​ ​Report

While​ ​I​ ​like​ ​to​ ​think​ ​that​ ​I​ ​have​ ​a​ ​fairly​ ​strong​ ​understanding​ ​of​ ​my​ ​own​ ​personality,​ ​I​ ​have

always​ ​been​ ​curious​ ​about​ ​why​ ​I​ ​behave​ ​the​ ​way​ ​I​ ​do​ ​and​ ​how​ ​my​ ​personality​ ​traits​ ​influence​ ​my

behavior.​ ​The​ ​top​ ​three​ ​character​ ​traits​ ​that​ ​I​ ​use​ ​to​ ​describe​ ​my​ ​personality​ ​are​ ​compassionate,

optimistic,​ ​and​ ​dedicated.​ ​However,​ ​there​ ​is​ ​definitely​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​more​ ​depth​ ​to​ ​my​ ​personality​ ​than​ ​just​ ​these

three​ ​traits.​ ​When​ ​I​ ​asked​ ​some​ ​of​ ​my​ ​close​ ​friends​ ​and​ ​family​ ​to​ ​describe​ ​my​ ​personality​ ​in​ ​three​ ​words,

I​ ​received​ ​responses​ ​such​ ​as:​ ​positive,​ ​loyal,​ ​creative,​ ​problem​ ​solver,​ ​encouraging,​ ​altruistic,​ ​supportive,

tenacious,​ ​caring,​ ​attentive,​ ​indecisive,​ ​and​ ​dedicated.​ ​While​ ​character​ ​traits​ ​are​ ​a​ ​great​ ​starting​ ​point​ ​to

understanding​ ​one’s​ ​personality,​ ​there​ ​is​ ​so​ ​much​ ​more​ ​depth​ ​to​ ​these​ ​traits​ ​if​ ​we​ ​examine​ ​how​ ​these

traits​ ​influence​ ​our​ ​thoughts,​ ​feelings,​ ​and​ ​behaviors​ ​that​ ​shape​ ​our​ ​personality.​ ​In​ ​order​ ​to​ ​further

understand​ ​my​ ​own​ ​personality​ ​and​ ​recognize​ ​my​ ​strengths​ ​and​ ​weaknesses,​ ​I​ ​decided​ ​to​ ​take​ ​three

personality​ ​tests​ ​including​ ​Cattell’s​ ​16​ ​Personality​ ​Factors,​ ​The​ ​Myers​ ​Briggs​ ​Type​ ​Indicator,​ ​and​ ​The

Big​ ​Five​ ​Personality​ ​Test.​ ​While​ ​each​ ​of​ ​these​ ​personality​ ​tests​ ​aim​ ​to​ ​articulate​ ​a​ ​comprehensive

understanding​ ​of​ ​the​ ​whole​ ​person,​ ​they​ ​differ​ ​in​ ​that​ ​they​ ​either​ ​utilize​ ​trait​ ​or​ ​type​ ​theory​ ​as​ ​the

approach​ ​to​ ​study​ ​human​ ​personality.​ ​I​ ​will​ ​be​ ​exploring​ ​how​ ​each​ ​of​ ​these​ ​personality​ ​tests​ ​differ​ ​from

one​ ​another,​ ​how​ ​each​ ​of​ ​these​ ​unique​ ​personality​ ​tests​ ​depict​ ​my​ ​personality,​ ​and​ ​how​ ​accurate​ ​I​ ​believe

the​ ​test​ ​to​ ​be.

The​ ​first​ ​personality​ ​assessment​ ​that​ ​I​ ​took​ ​was​ ​Raymond​ ​Cattell’s​ ​16​ ​Personality​ ​Factors​ ​(16PF).

Cattell​ ​used​ ​Spearman’s​ ​statistical​ ​technique​ ​of​ ​factor​ ​analysis​ ​to​ ​condense​ ​a​ ​large​ ​array​ ​of​ ​personality

traits​ ​by​ ​grouping​ ​similar​ ​traits​ ​and​ ​eliminating​ ​redundant​ ​or​ ​uncommon​ ​traits,​ ​and​ ​thus​ ​leaving​ ​16
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important​ ​personality​ ​factors​ ​(McLeod,​ ​2014).​ ​Cattell​ ​supported​ ​trait​ ​theory​ ​and​ ​believed​ ​that​ ​there​ ​is​ ​a

continuum​ ​of​ ​personality​ ​traits​ ​where​ ​all​ ​individuals​ ​possess​ ​these​ ​16​ ​personality​ ​traits​ ​at​ ​varying​ ​levels

(McLeod,​ ​2014).​ ​For​ ​example,​ ​according​ ​to​ ​Cattell,​ ​the​ ​personality​ ​trait​ ​of​ ​abstractedness​ ​is​ ​measured​ ​on

the​ ​continuum​ ​of​ ​imaginative​ ​to​ ​practical.​ ​In​ ​addition,​ ​Cattell​ ​distinguished​ ​between​ ​source​ ​and​ ​surface

traits,​ ​where​ ​surface​ ​traits​ ​are​ ​those​ ​that​ ​are​ ​obvious​ ​and​ ​easily​ ​identifiable​ ​by​ ​others​ ​while​ ​source​ ​traits

are​ ​those​ ​that​ ​are​ ​less​ ​apparent​ ​and​ ​underlie​ ​various​ ​behaviors​ ​(McLeod,​ ​2014).​ ​While​ ​determining​ ​the​ ​16

personality​ ​dimensions,​ ​Cattell​ ​viewed​ ​source​ ​traits​ ​as​ ​more​ ​important​ ​in​ ​describing​ ​one’s​ ​personality

than​ ​surface​ ​traits​ ​(McLeod,​ ​2014).​ ​The​ ​16​ ​personality​ ​dimensions​ ​described​ ​by​ ​Cattell​ ​include:

abstractedness,​ ​apprehension,​ ​dominance,​ ​emotional​ ​stability,​ ​liveliness,​ ​openness​ ​to​ ​change,

perfectionism,​ ​privateness,​ ​reasoning,​ ​rule-conscious,​ ​self-reliance,​ ​sensitivity,​ ​social​ ​boldness,​ ​tension,

vigilance,​ ​and​ ​warmth.​ ​Each​ ​of​ ​these​ ​personality​ ​dimensions​ ​are​ ​measured​ ​on​ ​a​ ​score​ ​of​ ​0​ ​to​ ​4​ ​to

represent​ ​the​ ​continuum​ ​of​ ​the​ ​specific​ ​trait.

After​ ​reviewing​ ​my​ ​16PF​ ​results,​ ​I​ ​think​ ​this​ ​test​ ​gives​ ​a​ ​moderately​ ​accurate​ ​representation​ ​of

how​ ​I​ ​view​ ​my​ ​personality.​ ​In​ ​order​ ​from​ ​highest​ ​to​ ​lowest,​ ​I​ ​scored:​ ​3.6-rule-consciousness,​ ​3.4-warmth,

3-emotional​ ​stability,​ ​3-perfectionism,​ ​2.8-self-reliance,​ ​2.7-reasoning,​ ​2.5-dominance,​ ​2.3-sensitivity,

2.1-apprehension,​ ​2.1-openness​ ​to​ ​change,​ ​1.9-social​ ​boldness,​ ​1.8-liveliness,​ ​1.4-privateness,

1.2-abstractedness,​ ​1-tension,​ ​0.9-vigilance.​ ​Since​ ​each​ ​personality​ ​trait​ ​is​ ​scored​ ​on​ ​a​ ​continuum,​ ​the

level​ ​of​ ​each​ ​trait​ ​(under​ ​2​ ​or​ ​over​ ​2)​ ​depicts​ ​which​ ​end​ ​of​ ​the​ ​spectrum​ ​you​ ​lie​ ​closer​ ​to.​ ​I​ ​was​ ​very

surprised​ ​to​ ​discover​ ​that​ ​my​ ​strongest​ ​trait​ ​was​ ​rule-consciousness,​ ​which​ ​indicates​ ​that​ ​I​ ​strongly​ ​abide

by​ ​authority​ ​and​ ​am​ ​very​ ​conscientious,​ ​obedient,​ ​conforming,​ ​and​ ​moralistic.​ ​While​ ​I​ ​do​ ​not​ ​deny​ ​that​ ​I

strongly​ ​follow​ ​rules​ ​and​ ​stick​ ​to​ ​my​ ​moral​ ​beliefs,​ ​I​ ​am​ ​surprised​ ​that​ ​this​ ​trait​ ​measured​ ​strongest.​ ​Yes,​ ​I

know​ ​I​ ​am​ ​the​ ​type​ ​of​ ​person​ ​who​ ​would​ ​wait​ ​at​ ​a​ ​red​ ​light​ ​at​ ​2am​ ​when​ ​no​ ​one​ ​else​ ​is​ ​nearby​ ​rather​ ​than

run​ ​the​ ​light,​ ​simply​ ​because​ ​I​ ​do​ ​not​ ​like​ ​to​ ​break​ ​rules.​ ​However,​ ​I​ ​would​ ​have​ ​guessed​ ​that​ ​warmth​ ​or

perfectionism​ ​would​ ​be​ ​my​ ​highest​ ​scoring​ ​traits​ ​out​ ​of​ ​these​ ​16​ ​personality​ ​traits​ ​instead​ ​of
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rule-consciousness.​ ​Acknowledging​ ​my​ ​high​ ​level​ ​of​ ​rule-consciousness​ ​makes​ ​me​ ​more​ ​aware​ ​of​ ​my

obedient​ ​behaviors​ ​and​ ​explains​ ​why​ ​I​ ​feel​ ​guilty​ ​when​ ​I​ ​occasionally​ ​break​ ​a​ ​rule.

I​ ​was​ ​not​ ​surprised​ ​to​ ​see​ ​that​ ​my​ ​second​ ​highest​ ​scoring​ ​trait​ ​was​ ​warmth,​ ​which​ ​indicates​ ​that​ ​I

am​ ​attentive​ ​and​ ​friendly​ ​to​ ​others,​ ​outgoing,​ ​kindly,​ ​easy-going,​ ​and​ ​willing​ ​to​ ​participate.​ ​While​ ​I​ ​would

not​ ​necessarily​ ​consider​ ​myself​ ​outgoing​ ​since​ ​I​ ​am​ ​fairly​ ​shy​ ​and​ ​introverted,​ ​I​ ​do​ ​enjoy​ ​meeting​ ​people

and​ ​building​ ​friendships.​ ​I​ ​found​ ​it​ ​surprising​ ​that​ ​the​ ​16PF​ ​considers​ ​outgoing​ ​as​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​qualities

associated​ ​with​ ​a​ ​high​ ​score​ ​in​ ​warmth.​ ​In​ ​my​ ​opinion,​ ​being​ ​outgoing​ ​and​ ​willing​ ​to​ ​participate​ ​do​ ​not

necessarily​ ​go​ ​hand​ ​in​ ​hand​ ​with​ ​being​ ​friendly​ ​to​ ​others​ ​and​ ​kindly.​ ​Instead,​ ​I​ ​would​ ​have​ ​guessed​ ​that

outgoing​ ​would​ ​be​ ​a​ ​trait​ ​listed​ ​under​ ​social​ ​boldness​ ​rather​ ​than​ ​warmth.

My​ ​scores​ ​for​ ​emotional​ ​stability​ ​and​ ​perfectionism​ ​were​ ​tied​ ​for​ ​the​ ​next​ ​highest​ ​score​ ​at​ ​3.

Having​ ​high​ ​emotional​ ​stability​ ​means​ ​that​ ​I​ ​am​ ​emotionally​ ​stable,​ ​mature,​ ​adaptive,​ ​and​ ​face​ ​reality

calmly.​ ​My​ ​high​ ​score​ ​in​ ​perfectionism​ ​represents​ ​that​ ​I​ ​have​ ​high​ ​standards​ ​for​ ​myself​ ​and​ ​am

organized,​ ​self-disciplined,​ ​socially​ ​precise,​ ​and​ ​perfectionistic.​ ​These​ ​descriptions​ ​did​ ​not​ ​surprise​ ​me,

and​ ​I​ ​found​ ​them​ ​to​ ​be​ ​fairly​ ​accurate​ ​of​ ​my​ ​behavior.​ ​However,​ ​scoring​ ​high​ ​in​ ​perfectionism​ ​also​ ​made

me​ ​acknowledge​ ​and​ ​be​ ​cautious​ ​of​ ​the​ ​high​ ​expectations​ ​that​ ​I​ ​place​ ​on​ ​myself​ ​so​ ​that​ ​I​ ​remember​ ​to

give​ ​myself​ ​grace.​ ​I​ ​also​ ​scored​ ​fairly​ ​high​ ​in​ ​self-reliance​ ​at​ ​2.8,​ ​indicating​ ​that​ ​I​ ​am​ ​very​ ​self-sufficient

and​ ​independent​ ​which​ ​I​ ​agree​ ​with.​ ​Since​ ​Cattell’s​ ​16PF​ ​traits​ ​are​ ​scored​ ​on​ ​a​ ​continuum​ ​of​ ​one​ ​extreme

of​ ​the​ ​trait​ ​to​ ​the​ ​other,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​also​ ​important​ ​to​ ​explore​ ​the​ ​traits​ ​that​ ​I​ ​scored​ ​moderately​ ​low​ ​in.​ ​I​ ​had​ ​quite

a​ ​few​ ​scores​ ​that​ ​were​ ​right​ ​around​ ​the​ ​middle​ ​score​ ​of​ ​2​ ​that​ ​were​ ​not​ ​very​ ​significant;​ ​however,​ ​I​ ​scored

very​ ​low​ ​in​ ​vigilance​ ​at​ ​0.9​ ​and​ ​tension​ ​at​ ​1.​ ​Scoring​ ​low​ ​in​ ​vigilance​ ​means​ ​that​ ​I​ ​am​ ​trusting,​ ​accepting,

and​ ​unconditional​ ​while​ ​scoring​ ​low​ ​in​ ​tension​ ​means​ ​that​ ​I​ ​am​ ​relaxed​ ​and​ ​patient.​ ​I​ ​found​ ​these​ ​traits​ ​to

be​ ​accurate​ ​of​ ​my​ ​personality​ ​because​ ​I​ ​am​ ​often​ ​the​ ​person​ ​that​ ​my​ ​friends​ ​turn​ ​to​ ​when​ ​they​ ​need

someone​ ​to​ ​listen​ ​since​ ​they​ ​know​ ​I​ ​am​ ​patient,​ ​sincere,​ ​and​ ​trusting.​ ​While​ ​I​ ​tend​ ​to​ ​worry​ ​often,​ ​I​ ​am

very​ ​practical,​ ​steady,​ ​and​ ​solution-oriented,​ ​hence​ ​my​ ​low​ ​score​ ​in​ ​abstractedness​ ​at​ ​1.2,​ ​which​ ​helps​ ​me
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overcome​ ​my​ ​perfectionistic​ ​fears.​ ​Since​ ​I​ ​scored​ ​moderately​ ​low​ ​on​ ​abstractedness,​ ​which​ ​indicates​ ​that

I​ ​am​ ​very​ ​practical​ ​and​ ​unimaginative,​ ​I​ ​was​ ​surprised​ ​that​ ​I​ ​scored​ ​moderately​ ​high​ ​in​ ​reasoning​ ​at​ ​2.7,

which​ ​indicates​ ​that​ ​I​ ​prefer​ ​abstract​ ​thinking​ ​to​ ​common​ ​sense.​ ​These​ ​two​ ​conflicting​ ​results​ ​made​ ​me

question​ ​the​ ​overall​ ​validity​ ​of​ ​this​ ​personality​ ​test.

The​ ​next​ ​personality​ ​assessment​ ​that​ ​I​ ​took​ ​was​ ​The​ ​Big​ ​Five​ ​Personality​ ​Test.​ ​The​ ​Big​ ​Five

personality​ ​traits​ ​are​ ​the​ ​“best​ ​accepted”​ ​and​ ​“most​ ​commonly​ ​used​ ​model​ ​of​ ​personality​ ​in​ ​academic

psychology”​ ​(Goldberg,​ ​1992).​ ​This​ ​version​ ​of​ ​the​ ​test​ ​uses​ ​the​ ​Big-Five​ ​Factor​ ​Markers​ ​from​ ​the

International​ ​Personality​ ​Item​ ​Pool,​ ​developed​ ​by​ ​Goldberg​ ​in​ ​1992.​ ​Goldberg’s​ ​Big​ ​Five​ ​also​ ​utilizes​ ​the

statistical​ ​technique​ ​of​ ​factor​ ​analysis,​ ​which​ ​examines​ ​hundreds​ ​of​ ​broad​ ​responses​ ​to​ ​personality​ ​items

on​ ​social​ ​and​ ​emotional​ ​life​ ​and​ ​summarizes​ ​them​ ​into​ ​five​ ​prominent​ ​traits:​ ​extroversion,​ ​neuroticism,

agreeableness,​ ​conscientiousness,​ ​and​ ​openness​ ​to​ ​experience.​ ​According​ ​to​ ​McAdams​ ​and​ ​Pals’​ ​review

of​ ​the​ ​Big​ ​Five,​ ​the​ ​five​ ​principles​ ​“…articulate​ ​broad​ ​variations​ ​in​ ​human​ ​functioning​ ​that​ ​are

recognizable,​ ​in​ ​part,​ ​for​ ​their​ ​evolutionary​ ​significance,”​ ​but​ ​more​ ​“…psychosocially​ ​constructed

features​ ​of​ ​personality​ ​move​ ​well​ ​beyond​ ​traits​ ​in​ ​speaking​ ​directly​ ​to​ ​how​ ​human​ ​beings​ ​respond​ ​to

situated​ ​social​ ​tasks​ ​and​ ​make​ ​meaning​ ​out​ ​of​ ​their​ ​lives​ ​in​ ​culture”​ ​(McAdams​ ​&​ ​Pals,​ ​2006,​ ​p.​ ​205).

The​ ​test​ ​contains​ ​50​ ​items​ ​that​ ​are​ ​rated​ ​based​ ​on​ ​how​ ​true​ ​they​ ​are​ ​to​ ​an​ ​individual​ ​on​ ​a​ ​five​ ​point​ ​scale

where​ ​1=disagree,​ ​3=neutral,​ ​and​ ​5=agree.​ ​The​ ​results​ ​for​ ​each​ ​factor​ ​are​ ​displayed​ ​as​ ​a​ ​score​ ​percentile

ranging​ ​from​ ​0-100.​ ​I​ ​have​ ​taken​ ​The​ ​Big​ ​Five​ ​Personality​ ​Test​ ​before;​ ​however,​ ​it​ ​was​ ​a​ ​version​ ​created

by​ ​the​ ​Center​ ​for​ ​Applied​ ​Cognitive​ ​Studies​ ​(CACS).​ ​Nonetheless,​ ​I​ ​expected​ ​it​ ​to​ ​fairly​ ​accurately​ ​depict

my​ ​personality​ ​as​ ​it​ ​did​ ​when​ ​I​ ​took​ ​it​ ​last​ ​year,​ ​and​ ​I​ ​was​ ​also​ ​curious​ ​to​ ​compare​ ​how​ ​these​ ​two​ ​versions

of​ ​the​ ​same​ ​test​ ​differed​ ​and​ ​if​ ​my​ ​personality​ ​has​ ​changed​ ​within​ ​the​ ​past​ ​year.

The​ ​first​ ​Big​ ​Five​ ​factor​ ​that​ ​was​ ​measured​ ​was​ ​extroversion,​ ​which​ ​my​ ​percentile​ ​score​ ​was​ ​29.

According​ ​to​ ​the​ ​trait​ ​description,​ ​this​ ​low​ ​score​ ​indicates​ ​that​ ​I​ ​tend​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​shut​ ​in.​ ​I​ ​was​ ​surprised​ ​to​ ​see

that​ ​Goldberg’s​ ​Big​ ​Five​ ​only​ ​provided​ ​a​ ​very​ ​brief​ ​one​ ​sentence​ ​analysis​ ​of​ ​your​ ​percentile​ ​score,
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typically​ ​only​ ​containing​ ​one​ ​word​ ​to​ ​describe​ ​your​ ​score​ ​(i.e.​ ​“shut​ ​in”).​ ​In​ ​comparison,​ ​the​ ​CACS’

report​ ​included​ ​multiple​ ​pages​ ​of​ ​trait​ ​analysis​ ​and​ ​also​ ​provided​ ​scores​ ​for​ ​subtraits​ ​such​ ​as​ ​leadership

and​ ​trust​ ​that​ ​went​ ​into​ ​the​ ​supertrait​ ​of​ ​extraversion.​ ​While​ ​I​ ​knew​ ​that​ ​I​ ​am​ ​somewhat​ ​shy​ ​and​ ​consider

myself​ ​to​ ​be​ ​more​ ​of​ ​an​ ​introvert,​ ​I​ ​was​ ​surprised​ ​that​ ​my​ ​percentile​ ​score​ ​was​ ​so​ ​low​ ​on​ ​Goldberg’s​ ​test

because​ ​my​ ​score​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Big​ ​Five​ ​last​ ​year​ ​was​ ​a​ ​53,​ ​and​ ​I​ ​was​ ​considered​ ​an​ ​ambivert.​ ​Ambiverts

balance​ ​quiet​ ​alone​ ​time​ ​with​ ​being​ ​in​ ​the​ ​thick​ ​of​ ​the​ ​action.​ ​I​ ​believe​ ​I​ ​am​ ​more​ ​of​ ​an​ ​ambivert​ ​rather

than​ ​a​ ​“shut​ ​in”​ ​because​ ​my​ ​personality​ ​shifts​ ​between​ ​extraverted​ ​and​ ​introverted​ ​depending​ ​upon​ ​the

social​ ​context​ ​that​ ​I​ ​am​ ​in.​ ​For​ ​example,​ ​when​ ​I​ ​took​ ​this​ ​Big​ ​Five​ ​personality​ ​assessment​ ​last​ ​year​ ​I​ ​was

a​ ​University​ ​101​ ​Peer​ ​Leader.​ ​This​ ​leadership​ ​experience​ ​forced​ ​me​ ​to​ ​become​ ​more​ ​extraverted​ ​than​ ​I

used​ ​to​ ​be​ ​because​ ​my​ ​role​ ​required​ ​me​ ​to​ ​speak​ ​in​ ​front​ ​of​ ​large​ ​groups,​ ​lead​ ​activities,​ ​and​ ​be​ ​more

outgoing​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​build​ ​community​ ​within​ ​my​ ​University​ ​101​ ​classroom.​ ​While​ ​I​ ​am​ ​still​ ​a​ ​University

101​ ​Peer​ ​Leader​ ​this​ ​semester,​ ​my​ ​lower​ ​score​ ​on​ ​this​ ​more​ ​current​ ​Big​ ​Five​ ​personality​ ​test​ ​makes​ ​me

curious​ ​if​ ​I​ ​have​ ​become​ ​more​ ​introverted​ ​over​ ​the​ ​summer​ ​while​ ​I​ ​lived​ ​by​ ​myself.​ ​However,​ ​I​ ​still

believe​ ​that​ ​I​ ​am​ ​more​ ​of​ ​an​ ​ambivert​ ​because​ ​my​ ​personality​ ​shifts​ ​depending​ ​on​ ​my​ ​social​ ​context.

The​ ​second​ ​factor​ ​measured​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Big​ ​Five​ ​was​ ​emotional​ ​stability,​ ​which​ ​I​ ​scored​ ​moderately

high​ ​at​ ​the​ ​70​th​​ ​percentile.​ ​This​ ​indicates​ ​that​ ​I​ ​am​ ​very​ ​sensitive​ ​to​ ​stress​ ​and​ ​often​ ​worry​ ​about​ ​situations

and​ ​show​ ​emotion​ ​when​ ​things​ ​go​ ​wrong.​ ​Since​ ​I​ ​am​ ​aware​ ​that​ ​I​ ​worry​ ​often,​ ​this​ ​high​ ​score​ ​did​ ​not

surprise​ ​me;​ ​however,​ ​what​ ​did​ ​surprise​ ​me​ ​was​ ​when​ ​I​ ​compared​ ​this​ ​score​ ​to​ ​my​ ​score​ ​in​ ​emotional

stability​ ​from​ ​last​ ​year’s​ ​Big​ ​Five.​ ​This​ ​current​ ​score​ ​of​ ​70​ ​is​ ​much​ ​higher​ ​than​ ​my​ ​previous​ ​score​ ​of​ ​48,

which​ ​indicated​ ​that​ ​I​ ​can​ ​handle​ ​moderate​ ​stress​ ​and​ ​that​ ​calm​ ​alternates​ ​with​ ​worry.​ ​This​ ​difference​ ​in

scores​ ​makes​ ​me​ ​curious​ ​as​ ​to​ ​how​ ​my​ ​personality​ ​has​ ​shifted​ ​within​ ​the​ ​past​ ​year.​ ​I​ ​have​ ​been​ ​very

stressed​ ​lately​ ​as​ ​I​ ​am​ ​applying​ ​for​ ​graduate​ ​schools​ ​and​ ​preparing​ ​for​ ​interviews​ ​while​ ​balancing

schoolwork​ ​and​ ​an​ ​internship,​ ​and​ ​this​ ​makes​ ​me​ ​curious​ ​as​ ​to​ ​the​ ​degree​ ​that​ ​my​ ​social​ ​situation​ ​impacts

my​ ​current​ ​emotional​ ​stability.

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The​ ​third​ ​factor​ ​measured​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Big​ ​Five​ ​was​ ​agreeableness.​ ​My​ ​score​ ​was​ ​at​ ​the​ ​76​th​​ ​percentile,

which​ ​indicates​ ​that​ ​I​ ​am​ ​friendly​ ​and​ ​optimistic.​ ​This​ ​was​ ​my​ ​second​ ​highest​ ​score​ ​on​ ​this​ ​current​ ​Big

Five​ ​test,​ ​which​ ​does​ ​not​ ​surprise​ ​me​ ​because​ ​most​ ​of​ ​my​ ​friends​ ​would​ ​describe​ ​me​ ​as​ ​friendly​ ​and

optimistic.​ ​However,​ ​what​ ​did​ ​surprise​ ​me​ ​was​ ​when​ ​I​ ​compared​ ​this​ ​trait​ ​to​ ​my​ ​score​ ​from​ ​the​ ​CACS

last​ ​year.​ ​Instead​ ​of​ ​agreeableness,​ ​the​ ​CACS​ ​measured​ ​this​ ​trait​ ​as​ ​accommodation,​ ​which​ ​measures​ ​the

degree​ ​to​ ​which​ ​you​ ​submit​ ​to​ ​others​ ​in​ ​a​ ​group​ ​setting​ ​as​ ​either​ ​a​ ​challenger,​ ​negotiator,​ ​or​ ​adapter.

When​ ​I​ ​think​ ​of​ ​agreeableness,​ ​this​ ​is​ ​the​ ​spectrum​ ​that​ ​I​ ​find​ ​more​ ​valid​ ​as​ ​opposed​ ​to​ ​Goldberg’s

agreeableness​ ​continuum​ ​from​ ​aggressive​ ​to​ ​friendly.​ ​My​ ​CACS​ ​score​ ​of​ ​62​ ​from​ ​last​ ​year​ ​indicated​ ​that

I​ ​am​ ​an​ ​adapter,​ ​nurturing,​ ​and​ ​agreeable​ ​and​ ​tend​ ​to​ ​accept​ ​the​ ​interests​ ​of​ ​the​ ​group.​ ​While​ ​these​ ​scores

from​ ​different​ ​years​ ​did​ ​not​ ​differ​ ​to​ ​an​ ​extreme​ ​degree,​ ​I​ ​found​ ​it​ ​very​ ​insightful​ ​to​ ​compare​ ​the

differences​ ​in​ ​analyses​ ​on​ ​the​ ​same​ ​trait.

The​ ​fourth​ ​Big​ ​Five​ ​factor​ ​was​ ​conscientiousness,​ ​which​ ​measures​ ​self-discipline​ ​and​ ​the​ ​degree

to​ ​which​ ​one​ ​directs​ ​their​ ​impulses.​ ​This​ ​was​ ​my​ ​highest​ ​scoring​ ​trait​ ​at​ ​the​ ​84​th​​ ​percentile,​ ​which​ ​did​ ​not

surprise​ ​me.​ ​I​ ​consider​ ​myself​ ​to​ ​be​ ​very​ ​careful,​ ​diligent,​ ​organized,​ ​and​ ​determined​ ​towards​ ​completing

my​ ​goals.​ ​This​ ​also​ ​indicated​ ​that​ ​I​ ​am​ ​considered​ ​a​ ​responsible​ ​and​ ​reliable​ ​person.​ ​However,​ ​it​ ​was

interesting​ ​to​ ​learn​ ​more​ ​about​ ​conscientiousness​ ​and​ ​recognize​ ​that​ ​this​ ​high​ ​score​ ​also​ ​correlates​ ​to​ ​a

high​ ​score​ ​in​ ​perfectionism,​ ​which​ ​was​ ​validated​ ​in​ ​the​ ​16PF.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​fascinating​ ​to​ ​see​ ​how​ ​specific

personality​ ​traits​ ​correlate​ ​across​ ​various​ ​personality​ ​tests.​ ​In​ ​the​ ​CACS​ ​Big​ ​Five,​ ​conscientiousness​ ​was

measured​ ​as​ ​consolidation​ ​and​ ​measured​ ​the​ ​degree​ ​to​ ​which​ ​you​ ​push​ ​toward​ ​goals.​ ​I​ ​scored​ ​a​ ​67​ ​last

year,​ ​which​ ​demonstrated​ ​that​ ​I​ ​am​ ​very​ ​focused,​ ​organized,​ ​and​ ​disciplined​ ​and​ ​have​ ​a​ ​strong​ ​desire​ ​to

achieve​ ​my​ ​goals.​ ​I​ ​was​ ​not​ ​surprised​ ​to​ ​see​ ​that​ ​my​ ​score​ ​in​ ​this​ ​trait​ ​went​ ​up​ ​from​ ​last​ ​year​ ​because​ ​I

have​ ​become​ ​more​ ​focused​ ​on​ ​achieving​ ​my​ ​goals​ ​within​ ​the​ ​past​ ​year​ ​as​ ​I​ ​make​ ​plans​ ​to​ ​graduate.

The​ ​fifth​ ​Big​ ​Five​ ​factor​ ​was​ ​intellect/imagination,​ ​which​ ​is​ ​also​ ​often​ ​called​ ​openness​ ​to

experience.​ ​I​ ​scored​ ​moderately​ ​at​ ​the​ ​52​nd​​ ​percentile,​ ​and​ ​Goldberg’s​ ​Big​ ​Five​ ​did​ ​not​ ​provide​ ​much
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analysis​ ​on​ ​what​ ​this​ ​middle​ ​score​ ​means.​ ​However,​ ​I​ ​came​ ​to​ ​the​ ​conclusion​ ​that​ ​I​ ​am​ ​moderately​ ​open

to​ ​new​ ​things​ ​and​ ​occasionally​ ​enjoy​ ​change​ ​and​ ​challenges.​ ​Those​ ​who​ ​score​ ​low​ ​in

intellect/imagination​ ​tend​ ​to​ ​be​ ​traditional​ ​and​ ​conventional,​ ​which​ ​I​ ​would​ ​also​ ​consider​ ​myself​ ​to​ ​be.​ ​I

am​ ​also​ ​fairly​ ​practical​ ​and​ ​not​ ​very​ ​imaginative,​ ​so​ ​I​ ​was​ ​not​ ​surprised​ ​that​ ​I​ ​did​ ​not​ ​score​ ​higher​ ​in​ ​this

factor.​ ​The​ ​CACS​ ​measured​ ​this​ ​trait​ ​as​ ​originality,​ ​which​ ​measured​ ​the​ ​degree​ ​to​ ​which​ ​you​ ​are​ ​open​ ​to

new​ ​things​ ​ranging​ ​from​ ​preserver,​ ​moderate,​ ​and​ ​explorer.​ ​Last​ ​year​ ​I​ ​scored​ ​a​ ​56​ ​and​ ​scored​ ​low​ ​as​ ​an

explorer,​ ​which​ ​is​ ​very​ ​similar​ ​to​ ​my​ ​current​ ​score​ ​and​ ​I​ ​am​ ​not​ ​surprised​ ​that​ ​my​ ​score​ ​has​ ​not​ ​shifted.

The​ ​final​ ​personality​ ​test​ ​that​ ​I​ ​took​ ​was​ ​the​ ​Myers​ ​Briggs​ ​Type​ ​Indicator​ ​(MBTI).​ ​This

personality​ ​test​ ​is​ ​based​ ​on​ ​Carl​ ​Jung’s​ ​type​ ​theory,​ ​which​ ​differs​ ​from​ ​the​ ​popular​ ​trait​ ​theory​ ​view​ ​of

personality​ ​seen​ ​in​ ​the​ ​16PF​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Big​ ​Five​ ​personality​ ​inventories.​ ​Type​ ​theory​ ​believes​ ​that​ ​an

individual’s​ ​characteristics​ ​fall​ ​into​ ​discrete​ ​categories​ ​whereas​ ​trait​ ​theory​ ​believes​ ​an​ ​individual’s

characteristics​ ​fall​ ​into​ ​a​ ​larger​ ​continuum​ ​that​ ​have​ ​varying​ ​degrees.​ ​The​ ​Myers-Briggs​ ​type​ ​theory

measures​ ​four​ ​discrete​ ​pairs​ ​of​ ​personality​ ​preferences​ ​that​ ​make​ ​up​ ​one​ ​of​ ​16​ ​possible​ ​personality​ ​types,

which​ ​are​ ​recorded​ ​as​ ​a​ ​four-letter​ ​code.​ ​The​ ​recorded​ ​trait​ ​pairs​ ​are​ ​extraversion​ ​(E)​ ​or​ ​introversion​ ​(I),

sensing​ ​(S)​ ​or​ ​intuition​ ​(N),​ ​thinking​ ​(T)​ ​or​ ​feeling​ ​(F),​ ​and​ ​judgment​ ​(J)​ ​or​ ​perception​ ​(P).​ ​In​ ​MBTI,​ ​for

each​ ​trait​ ​pair​ ​you​ ​prefer​ ​one​ ​style​ ​over​ ​the​ ​other,​ ​and​ ​combining​ ​the​ ​letters​ ​associated​ ​with​ ​each

preference​ ​gives​ ​you​ ​your​ ​final​ ​Myers-Briggs​ ​personality​ ​type.​ ​When​ ​I​ ​first​ ​learned​ ​more​ ​about​ ​the​ ​style

of​ ​this​ ​personality​ ​test​ ​and​ ​its​ ​roots​ ​in​ ​type​ ​theory,​ ​I​ ​was​ ​hesitant​ ​about​ ​how​ ​accurately​ ​it​ ​would​ ​describe

my​ ​personality​ ​because​ ​I​ ​believe​ ​personality​ ​traits​ ​lie​ ​on​ ​a​ ​spectrum​ ​rather​ ​than​ ​a​ ​discrete​ ​category.

However,​ ​after​ ​finishing​ ​the​ ​MBTI​ ​and​ ​reviewing​ ​my​ ​results,​ ​I​ ​was​ ​surprised​ ​that​ ​this​ ​personality​ ​test

most​ ​accurately​ ​described​ ​myself​ ​out​ ​of​ ​all​ ​the​ ​personality​ ​assessments​ ​I​ ​took.

My​ ​Myers-Briggs​ ​personality​ ​was​ ​ISFJ,​ ​which​ ​stands​ ​for​ ​introverted,​ ​sensing,​ ​feeling,​ ​and

judgment.​ ​The​ ​reported​ ​results​ ​named​ ​this​ ​letter​ ​combination​ ​as​ ​the​ ​defender​ ​personality.​ ​Overall,​ ​the

results​ ​revealed​ ​that​ ​though​ ​I​ ​am​ ​sensitive,​ ​reserved,​ ​and​ ​conservative​ ​I​ ​have​ ​strong​ ​analytical​ ​abilities,
 Targonski​ ​8

strong​ ​people​ ​skills,​ ​and​ ​am​ ​receptive​ ​to​ ​change​ ​and​ ​new​ ​ideas.​ ​One​ ​of​ ​the​ ​reasons​ ​that​ ​this​ ​personality

test​ ​was​ ​my​ ​favorite​ ​among​ ​the​ ​ones​ ​I​ ​took​ ​was​ ​because​ ​of​ ​the​ ​in-depth​ ​personality​ ​analysis.​ ​The​ ​MBTI

broke​ ​down​ ​what​ ​this​ ​specific​ ​combination​ ​of​ ​personality​ ​traits​ ​means​ ​in​ ​terms​ ​of​ ​your​ ​strengths​ ​and

weaknesses,​ ​romantic​ ​relationships,​ ​friendships,​ ​parenthood,​ ​career​ ​paths,​ ​and​ ​workplace​ ​habits.​ ​These

detailed​ ​analyses​ ​made​ ​the​ ​results​ ​very​ ​understandable​ ​and​ ​easily​ ​applicable​ ​to​ ​the​ ​various​ ​areas​ ​of​ ​my

life.

The​ ​defender​ ​personality​ ​is​ ​considered​ ​a​ ​true​ ​altruist​ ​who​ ​engages​ ​with​ ​people​ ​with​ ​a​ ​spirit​ ​of

enthusiasm,​ ​generosity,​ ​and​ ​kindness.​ ​I​ ​found​ ​this​ ​interesting​ ​because​ ​altruistic​ ​was​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​words​ ​that

I​ ​received​ ​from​ ​a​ ​friend​ ​who​ ​described​ ​my​ ​personality.​ ​Another​ ​result​ ​that​ ​I​ ​found​ ​fascinating​ ​was​ ​that

defender​ ​personalities​ ​are​ ​very​ ​meticulous​ ​and​ ​often​ ​to​ ​the​ ​point​ ​of​ ​perfectionism,​ ​and​ ​although​ ​they​ ​may

procrastinate​ ​they​ ​can​ ​always​ ​be​ ​counted​ ​on​ ​to​ ​get​ ​the​ ​job​ ​done.​ ​This​ ​result​ ​is​ ​very​ ​true​ ​of​ ​my​ ​personality

and​ ​closely​ ​aligns​ ​with​ ​the​ ​other​ ​personality​ ​test​ ​results​ ​that​ ​indicated​ ​my​ ​high​ ​level​ ​of​ ​perfectionism.

While​ ​the​ ​Big​ ​Five​ ​also​ ​indicated​ ​that​ ​I​ ​am​ ​strongly​ ​introverted,​ ​I​ ​had​ ​a​ ​hard​ ​time​ ​believing​ ​this​ ​low​ ​score

because​ ​I​ ​consider​ ​myself​ ​to​ ​be​ ​more​ ​of​ ​an​ ​ambivert​ ​depending​ ​upon​ ​my​ ​social​ ​context.​ ​I​ ​am​ ​typically

quieter​ ​than​ ​most​ ​people​ ​and​ ​enjoy​ ​spending​ ​time​ ​alone​ ​and​ ​being​ ​independent,​ ​but​ ​I​ ​also​ ​have​ ​strong

social​ ​skills.​ ​The​ ​MBTI​ ​analysis​ ​helped​ ​me​ ​understand​ ​my​ ​introversion​ ​by​ ​explaining​ ​that​ ​defenders​ ​are

naturally​ ​social,​ ​which​ ​is​ ​an​ ​odd​ ​quality​ ​for​ ​introverts.​ ​It​ ​also​ ​stated​ ​that​ ​defenders​ ​have​ ​a​ ​strong​ ​ability​ ​to

connect​ ​with​ ​others​ ​on​ ​an​ ​intimate​ ​level​ ​and​ ​utilize​ ​their​ ​excellent​ ​memories​ ​to​ ​remember​ ​people​ ​and

details​ ​about​ ​their​ ​lives​ ​rather​ ​than​ ​analytical​ ​data​ ​and​ ​trivia.

According​ ​to​ ​the​ ​MBTI,​ ​my​ ​strengths​ ​are​ ​that​ ​I​ ​am​ ​loyal,​ ​hard-working,​ ​supportive,​ ​reliable,

patient,​ ​observant,​ ​enthusiastic,​ ​and​ ​have​ ​good​ ​practical​ ​skills.​ ​However,​ ​my​ ​weaknesses​ ​are​ ​that​ ​I​ ​am

humble​ ​and​ ​shy,​ ​repress​ ​my​ ​feelings,​ ​overload​ ​myself,​ ​reluctant​ ​to​ ​change,​ ​too​ ​altruistic,​ ​and​ ​take​ ​things

too​ ​personally.​ ​These​ ​strengths​ ​and​ ​weaknesses​ ​made​ ​me​ ​more​ ​aware​ ​of​ ​my​ ​personal​ ​challenges​ ​due​ ​to

my​ ​personality,​ ​one​ ​of​ ​them​ ​being​ ​that​ ​I​ ​am​ ​so​ ​concerned​ ​with​ ​others’​ ​feelings​ ​that​ ​I​ ​often​ ​don’t​ ​make​ ​my
 Targonski​ ​9

own​ ​thoughts​ ​and​ ​feelings​ ​known​ ​to​ ​others.​ ​In​ ​addition,​ ​I​ ​am​ ​very​ ​private​ ​and​ ​sensitive​ ​and​ ​often

internalize​ ​my​ ​feelings​ ​which​ ​can​ ​lead​ ​to​ ​unnecessary​ ​stress.​ ​Another​ ​challenge​ ​that​ ​I​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​aware​ ​of

is​ ​that​ ​I​ ​have​ ​such​ ​a​ ​high​ ​standard​ ​for​ ​myself​ ​that​ ​I​ ​often​ ​overload​ ​myself​ ​because​ ​of​ ​my​ ​strong​ ​sense​ ​of

perfectionism​ ​and​ ​duty​ ​as​ ​I​ ​strive​ ​to​ ​meet​ ​my​ ​own​ ​high-level​ ​expectations​ ​and​ ​everyone​ ​else’s

expectations​ ​as​ ​well.​ ​The​ ​MBTI​ ​revealed​ ​that​ ​I​ ​will​ ​strive​ ​in​ ​a​ ​service-oriented​ ​career​ ​such​ ​as​ ​something

in​ ​counseling​ ​or​ ​healthcare.​ ​This​ ​was​ ​very​ ​reassuring​ ​to​ ​learn​ ​because​ ​I​ ​am​ ​minoring​ ​in​ ​counseling​ ​and

planning​ ​to​ ​get​ ​my​ ​doctorate​ ​in​ ​occupational​ ​therapy​ ​to​ ​one​ ​day​ ​work​ ​in​ ​the​ ​healthcare​ ​setting.​ ​The​ ​Myers

Briggs​ ​emphasized​ ​that​ ​the​ ​best​ ​careers​ ​for​ ​defenders​ ​are​ ​those​ ​where​ ​they​ ​are​ ​able​ ​to​ ​work​ ​one-on-one

with​ ​individuals​ ​and​ ​not​ ​deal​ ​with​ ​corporate​ ​politics,​ ​which​ ​is​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​reasons​ ​why​ ​I​ ​changed​ ​my​ ​career

choice​ ​from​ ​pharmacy​ ​to​ ​occupational​ ​therapy​ ​because​ ​I​ ​did​ ​not​ ​like​ ​the​ ​pharmacy​ ​emphasis​ ​on​ ​dealing

with​ ​insurance​ ​and​ ​not​ ​working​ ​one-on-one​ ​with​ ​patients.​ ​Overall,​ ​the​ ​MBTI​ ​provided​ ​such​ ​insightful

detail​ ​about​ ​my​ ​personality​ ​and​ ​its​ ​applicability​ ​to​ ​all​ ​areas​ ​of​ ​my​ ​life.

Without​ ​question,​ ​this​ ​personality​ ​assessment​ ​report​ ​has​ ​been​ ​one​ ​of​ ​my​ ​favorite​ ​assignments​ ​in

my​ ​college​ ​career.​ ​For​ ​the​ ​majority​ ​of​ ​my​ ​life,​ ​I​ ​have​ ​always​ ​described​ ​my​ ​personality​ ​as​ ​introverted,

kind,​ ​and​ ​optimistic;​ ​however,​ ​my​ ​personal​ ​view​ ​on​ ​my​ ​personality​ ​has​ ​shifted​ ​after​ ​taking​ ​these​ ​three

personality​ ​tests​ ​while​ ​also​ ​strengthening​ ​my​ ​own​ ​self-awareness.​ ​One​ ​of​ ​my​ ​biggest​ ​revelations​ ​through

this​ ​assignment​ ​was​ ​my​ ​understanding​ ​of​ ​my​ ​introversion.​ ​I​ ​learned​ ​that​ ​while​ ​I​ ​am​ ​introverted,​ ​I​ ​also

have​ ​very​ ​strong​ ​social​ ​skills​ ​and​ ​value​ ​connecting​ ​with​ ​others​ ​and​ ​building​ ​strong​ ​relationships.​ ​I​ ​have

always​ ​loved​ ​to​ ​take​ ​various​ ​personality​ ​tests,​ ​but​ ​I​ ​have​ ​never​ ​found​ ​them​ ​to​ ​be​ ​very​ ​accurate​ ​of​ ​what​ ​I

thought​ ​my​ ​personality​ ​to​ ​be.​ ​However,​ ​after​ ​taking​ ​the​ ​16PF,​ ​Big​ ​Five,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Myers-Briggs​ ​personality

tests,​ ​I​ ​now​ ​have​ ​a​ ​much​ ​stronger​ ​self-identity​ ​and​ ​understanding​ ​about​ ​my​ ​feelings,​ ​behaviors,​ ​and​ ​how​ ​I

interact​ ​with​ ​others​ ​in​ ​society.​ ​I​ ​am​ ​excited​ ​to​ ​take​ ​what​ ​I​ ​have​ ​learned​ ​about​ ​myself​ ​and​ ​apply​ ​it​ ​to​ ​all

areas​ ​of​ ​my​ ​life​ ​as​ ​I​ ​am​ ​more​ ​aware​ ​of​ ​my​ ​individual​ ​strengths​ ​and​ ​weaknesses.​ ​Overall,​ ​I​ ​found​ ​each​ ​of
 Targonski​ ​10

the​ ​three​ ​personality​ ​tests​ ​to​ ​be​ ​fairly​ ​valid​ ​and​ ​accurate;​ ​however,​ ​I​ ​found​ ​the​ ​Myers-Briggs​ ​to​ ​most

accurately​ ​describe​ ​my​ ​personality.

 Targonski​ ​11

References

Goldberg,​ ​Lewis​ ​R.​ ​"The​ ​development​ ​of​ ​markers​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Big-Five​ ​factor​ ​structure."​ ​Psychological

assessment​ ​4.1​ ​(1992):​ ​26.

McAdams,​ ​D.​ ​P.,​ ​&​ ​Pals,​ ​J.​ ​L.​ ​(2006).​ ​A​ ​New​ ​Big​ ​Five:​ ​Fundamental​ ​Principles​ ​for​ ​an​ ​Integrative

Science of​ ​Personality.​ ​American​ ​Psychologist,​ ​61​(3),​ ​204-217.

McLeod,​ ​S.​ ​(2014).​ ​Theories​ ​of​ ​Personality.​ ​Retrieved​ ​from

https://www.simplypsychology.org/personality-theories.html