Personality tests are everywhere, in every shape and form. You can find out what kind of dog you are or what you should be for Halloween. You can also take assessments that tell you what career best suits you based on these traits. The most famous of these personality tests is the MBTI (Myers Briggs Type Indicator). This test was first published in 1943 and is widely used in schools, jobs, and personal use. So, what are the benefits of this test? And what can be holding you back?
Pros:
Gives you some degree of an understanding of yourself
With the MBTI, you will see some basic traits that can help explain certain behaviors and preferences. The types break down into eight personality indicators (introvert/extrovert, Intuitive/Sensor, Thinker/Feeler, Judger/Perceiver). From there, you will get one of 16 possible variations of those traits.
It might give you some direction on a career path.
Tests like the MBTI can help you identify your likes and dislikes, which can help you make decisions about potential careers. You can apply your knowledge about yourself to find a job that suits you according to your results. You’ll also get somewhat of an understanding that not all situations are ideal for you. This will help you identify environments that can help you do better and which one you might need to navigate around.
Understanding of others
Personality tests open up the door to different ways of thinking. You will understand that your way of thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving may differ from others.
Cons:
Results aren’t exactly scientifically valid
The MBTI was developed by a mother-daughter team with no professional psychological training. Their tests aren’t based on any sort of measurable science. There can also be a substantial personal bias within the results because the tests rely on subjective responses to the questions. This can lead to results manipulated to shine a more favorable light on the evaluated person.
Limited results
16. That’s it. There are only 16 types of people in the world. Does that sound right to you?
Inflexibility
The test results are meant to be permanent. They are not supposed to change with time because, you know, people don’t ever change regardless of changes in environments, life events, and aging. Insert eye-roll here.
Also, these results give people an excuse to be inflexible. “I can’t do this because I’m an ISTJ.”
Why Sum is Different
Our COSEC (Cognitive Orientation & Social-Emotional Competency) assessment is the first-ever cognitive propensity and behavioral preference diagnostic tool designed to understand people’s various tendencies that occur between the process of perceiving the environment and responding in action. Our COSEC goes beyond personality and discovers how your cognitive orientation and environment contribute to your preferences and behaviors.
Flexibility
We understand that our traits continue to evolve over time. Your environment and surroundings have a huge impact that shapes your behavior. Traditional personality tests tend to give the impression that your “personality traits” don’t change. Our assessment understands how people are shaped by their environment and how they view the world around them. Using our PCB model, we can give an overview of what behaviors to expect in specific settings.
Unique results
16. Ha! Don’t make me laugh. Try 99! Ninety-nine unique results because we know that there are more than 16 different types of people out there.
The science behind our results
We have developed our PCB (perception conception behavior) model that identifies a person’s cognitive (perception and conception) process and the ultimate action (behavior) from that process based on their surrounding environment. COSEC identifies each unique characteristic during each stage of the PCB process. Each piece of information forms a measurable pattern that allows for a complete picture of an individual as a whole. This shows us how a person perceives and interprets information and how that will impact their behavior.
Another thing our assessments eliminate is the ability to create personal bias with the results. COSEC captures the preferences and tendencies behind the responses given, developing a more accurate picture of an individual rather than relying on qualitative data and subjective responses.
Ready to try something different?
Try SUM for free today!
