From World War II to job hiring, personality tests have been in different shapes all throughout history. Although personality tests mainly started in Ancient Greece, they are less spoken about, and World War II is considered its root.
Regardless of the time, personality tests have always been utilized in important sectors. Furthermore, these tests have been structured throughout the generations, and we see the refined version today. However, anyone interested in history should be intrigued by the fact that such tests are used even at the military level.
Well, don’t worry, as we will unleash all the secrets of personality testing and how they have been used throughout history. Furthermore, how it all started and what’s in the future. Let’s start.
Personality Test: How it All Started
While everyone assumes it all started in World War II, it isn’t true at all. However, the concept certainly got its popularity here as it is the World War we are talking about.
To be precise, it all started in the Ancient Greece era ( around 2000 years ago) when Hippocrates introduced the concept of the four temperaments;
- Sanguine
- Choleric
- Melancholic
- Phlegmatic
Here, the Hippocrates believed that the different characteristics were related to bodily fluids. This concept laid the groundwork for the personality test we see today.
Similarly, the ancient Indians of the group called Ayurvedic Doshas adopted this theory. Like the people of Ancient Greece, they also categorized different personalities. However, it was categorized into three parts only;
- Vata
- Pitta
- Kapha
Furthermore, the Ayurvedic Doshas took it a step further by not only relating this to personality but health characteristics as well.
World War II: Where It Got Popular
As a soldier returned home after World War I, he was in shell shock. It is a common term back in the days that we refer to as PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
Charles Myers, who was a doctor with the Royal Army Medical Corps, documented the entire soldier’s life. Unknowingly, he had discovered what the United States of America would use to select their soldiers on an extensive level.
The study that Charles Myers conducted was utilized in the US Army to recruit soldiers with strong mindsets. As soldiers went through PTSD after the war, it was the United States’ responsibility to select the soldiers who were capable enough to go through the war.
Thus, the army personality test was created, and the soldiers were given questions assessing their emotional resilience, adaptability, and psychological strength.
The purpose of these tests was to evaluate a soldier’s ability to cope with the pressures of combat and react appropriately. Nevertheless, it is safe to say that Dr. Charles Myers’ findings established the foundation for screening techniques that included mental toughness and emotional stability.
Lastly, it became so useful that the War Department commanded the testing of the existing soldiers and replaced them if they failed the test.
Structures of Personality Testing in the Modern Era
As personality tests become widespread, its inevitable the methodologies will get refined and structured. Here’s what it looks like now;
Jung’s Influence and the MBTI
Carl Jung developed several theories about psychological types in the 1920s. Hence, the beginning of the MBTI was born, created by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers. This test brought a whole new level of personalized insight in people. As a result, it helps them understand their tendency to think, feel, and interact with others.
MMPI and Clinical Implications
The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, developed in the 1940s, was destined to become one of the most essential tools in the field of mental health.
With time and research, the MMPI developed more structured questions to diagnose psychological conditions. Therefore, proves that personality testing can be done for clinical or personal understanding. Overall, this alone was enough to show that personality tests can play a crucial role in mental health.
The Big Five Model
The Big Five personality traits were introduced in the 1980s which are;
- Openness
- Conscientiousness
- Extraversion
- Agreeableness
- Neuroticism
Unlike the typical tests, the Big Five personality model showed that personality traits can have a flexible view. Furthermore, personality traits exist in a massive range.
The Legacy of Military Personality Testing in Modern Assessments
Personality and mental toughness assessments soon reached over into civilian psychological testing and recruitment. Without a doubt, these early military examinations outlined the structure for modern personality tests. However, the most significant ones have to be the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and the Big Five Personality Traits that are used in modern assessments.
As technology evolved, this tradition shifted into the digital realm. The methodologies used in the military, along with the rise of AI, these personality tests now deliver complex insights that meet today’s needs.
SAJOKI takes those same core concepts along with AI to get a proper insight into what people are capable of and potentially could be. Furthermore, implements Machine Learning to tune up the level of precision compared to the initial military tests.
Modern Statistics on Personality Testing in Recruitment
You will be surprised to know what these personality tests have become in the hiring sector. With higher accuracy, HR in companies is shifting towards personality tests more than ever. This is primarily due to the fact that there is major percentage of employee turnover seen in companies.
80% of Fortune 500 companies are using personality test tools in their hiring process. From pre-employment screening to ongoing employee development, personality assessments play a significant role in talent management in these companies.
On the other hand, the latest research shows that around 80% of companies, in general, use these tests to identify potential talents that can contribute to their company.
Overall, the usage of personality tests in the job sector is increasing significantly. Thus, moving with the tide would be the smartest thing to do with time.
Conclusion
From ancient theories of personality to the AI-powered tests by SAJOKI, a journey of personality testing shows the never-ending search of humankind to understand itself. The future of personality testing is continuously evolving. Accordingly, platforms like SAJOKI are on the lead, transforming insights into impactful outcomes.
