Enneagram, astrology, numerology—there are such a lot of techniques that purpose to kind individuals primarily based on fundamentals of character. And in recent times, they appear to have develop into nearly commonplace in our on a regular basis lexicon. It is extremely seemingly that you have been requested a minimum of as soon as, “What’s your zodiac signal?” or “Are you an introvert or an extrovert?” or that you have thought to hunt this intel out your self. However past having a enjoyable speaking level throughout a primary date or the power to chime in on a dialog with buddies, why are we so eager to study extra about ourselves? And why will we use varied kinds of character exams to take action?
These questions drive the most recent episode of The Properly+Good Podcast, throughout which character psychologist Chris Soto, PhD, astrologer Madi Murphy, and human design skilled Jenna Zoe share their ideas on our curiosity in introspection. “I feel the underside line is that we’re naturally interested in ourselves and we wish to work out what we’re like as individuals and the way we’re completely different or just like different individuals,” says Dr. Soto, professor of psychology at Colby School and director of the Colby Persona Lab.
Take heed to the full episode right here:
A lot of that curiosity is probably going pushed by self-actualization, or a want to maneuver towards your full potential as a human. “I discover that the people who find themselves drawn to those instruments [like astrology and other personality indicators] imagine wholeheartedly that they are right here for a bigger capital-S, capital-P ‘Soul Objective,'” says Murphy, cofounder of spirituality platform CosmicRx. “An astrological chart, for instance, might help you perceive or put collectively your distinctive roadmap of the way you get to embody that function.”
Based on Dr. Soto, that want may be damaged down into three key explanation why so many of us gravitate towards assessing their very own personalities.
3 causes individuals love to make use of character exams
1. Self-verification
In case you’ve ever taken a character check or had an astrology chart studying and came across a descriptor of your self that felt extremely correct, or had a “That is so me!” second, you’ve got skilled the satisfaction of self-verification. “All of us have beliefs about what we’re like as an individual and what our character is like, and it feels good to have these beliefs validated [by an outside source],” says Dr. Soto. In lots of circumstances, character indicators can present that third-party affirmation, which entices individuals to hunt them out time and again.
2. Self-enhancement
Generally, the results of a character check would possibly shock you—in a great way. Possibly you checked out your astrological chart and have been happy to search out that your Leo solar is linked with being assured, horny, and glamorous. Or, maybe you have been proud to study that your sort B character typically makes you a relaxed, carefree, and artistic sort. “It feels good to say good issues about your self, and a character check may be one venue for doing that,” says Dr. Soto. The outcome might help reinforce the perfect components about you and even assist construct your vanity.
Associated Tales
3. Self-discovery
Persona exams, astrological charts, and the like can do greater than validate and improve your understanding of who you’re; they’ll additionally enable you to uncover qualities inside your self that you just by no means thought you had or level you towards a brand new framework or language for talking about part of your character that you just did not beforehand have the phrases for, says Dr. Soto.
For instance, with the Large 5 character check, you would possibly study that your want to excel at work is linked to your excessive stage of “conscientiousness” (one of many 5 traits measured). Or, with human design—which is a non secular typography that provides perception into your energetic make-up—you would discover out that you are a “projector” sort, which signifies that you get essentially the most pleasure from serving to different individuals transfer towards their targets and goals. And placing phrases to those sorts of tendencies and temperaments may assist form the way in which you present up on this planet.
Usually, although, the outcomes of anybody character check or non secular studying aren’t meant to seize all of who you’re or function end-all descriptors, since individuals can include multitudes. As an alternative, they’re extra like useful guides. Talking on human design, for instance, Zoe describes it as a “mushy, mild reminder to ourselves about who we’re,” which might help you lead a life that feels well-aligned. “Remembering that and coming again to that’s about bathing in our personal essence, and permitting all the things else to simply move off our shoulders.”
To study extra about why individuals have a tendency to hunt out character exams and the elements that form our personalities over time, hearken to the full podcast episode right here.
Prepared to hitch the (podcast) dialog? At Properly+Good, we spend our days speaking to and studying from essentially the most attention-grabbing individuals. Signal as much as be sure to do not miss out on an episode!
