Self-awareness fascination and personality sorter tools

Even from old times, people were fascinated about self-knowledge. Astrology, palm readings, tarot readings or other similar procedures are very popular and raise a lot of interest. We like to take personality tests, to compare ourselves with our friends or colleagues and to recognize ourselves as belonging to certain categories. This need for belonging might be the seed of all these personality analysis tools. Let’s take the example of this site here: the most viewed post was the one tackling Myers-Briggs personality types. It was written as a follow up to an older post which seemed to raise interest amongst readers and which was also about personality and relationships. I became interested to make a review of all personality type tests and sorters I could find. If you know some more, you are welcome to leave a comment and they will be added to the list.
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or MBTI: it is based on the four preferences:

1. Extraversion and Introversion
2. Sensing and Intuition
3. Thinking and Feeling
4. Judging and Perceiving

16 combinations are available, generating 16 personality types. However, it is very little probable that somebody could be 100% extraverted or 100% sensing or any other preference. We are rather in-between, therefore even though two people are both INTP, they can be very different due to the percentages shown for each preference.
Keirsey temperament sorter: four types are defined, with subtypes (each of them corresponding to a MBTI type), totalling 16 types:

1. Artisans
   1. Composers
   2. Crafters
   3. Performers
   4. Promoters
2. Idealists
   1. Healers
   2. Champions
   3. Counsellors
   4. Teachers
3. Guardians
   1. Inspectors
   2. Protectors
   3. Supervisors
   4. Providers
4. Rationals
   1. Architects
   2. Masterminds
   3. Inventors
   4. Field marshals

LIFO ^® or Life Orientation: The LIFO Survey describes differences in behavior, rather than perception and judgment as does the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator (MBTI). People are willing and able to change what they do, while perception and judgment are much less amenable to change. According to this method, there are four types of behaviour:

1. Supporting
2. Controlling
3. Conserving
4. Adapting

The method is used in personal development trainings such as stress management, leadership, team buildings or communication skills.
Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator or RHETI: 9 types are described:

• Type 1 – Reformer
• Type 2 – Helper
• Type 3 – Motivator
• Type 4 – Romantic
• Type 5 – Thinker
• Type 6 – Skeptic
• Type 7 – Enthusiast
• Type 8 – Leader
• Type 9 – Peacemaker

If you are curious about other personality assessment tools, you can visit businessballs, where you can find also a very interesting history of such tools from ancient Greeks and Egyptians four humours, till nowadays.

Whatever method you choose to use, knowing yourself as well as knowing the others, leads to better communication and understanding, thus allowing everybody to live a better and more harmonious life.

For more resources and personality tests visit the Personality Assessment Resources Store