Personality type- the psychological classification of different types of individuals in which a cluster of personality traits commonly occur together.

Everyone likes to figure themselves out by taking various personality tests online. Personality tests can serve as a confirmation of an individual’s traits, it can also be very helpful in growth and self-development. One can learn how to approach those who have differing personalities than themselves. This can then be a very effective networking technique. Let’s figure out your personality!

You can thank Carl Jung for developing the theory that each individual has a psychological personality type. How people take in information and how they make decisions determines how people function. People are either extroverted or introverted, and one of these serves as their dominant function. Furthermore, sensing, intuition, thinking and feeling serve as the auxiliary or secondary functions. Jung developed eight personality types based on these traits. Katherine Briggs expounded on Jung’s work by defining two additional functions: Judging and perceiving. The combination of these functions forms 16 different personality types.

Let’s sum it up:

An individual is either Extroverted or Introverted

An individual is either Sensing or Intuitive

An individual is either Thinking or Feeling

An individual is either Judging or Perceiving

So what’s your personality type? A test perhaps will assist you in answering this question. One of my favorite personality tests that I have taken is from “Typefinder Facets.” The link below might take up some time, but the results are very detailed and you’ll surely figure yourself out.

http://www.truity.com/test/type-finder-facets

Now comes a more important question, can you change your personality type?

The nature versus nurture debate also comes into play here: Is personality shaped by genetics or by our environment?

According to most personality type theories, an individual’s personality is inborn and does not change. An example of this is the story of identical twin boys who were separated at birth. They grew up sharing similar hobbies; similar traits measured by personality assessments and both married women with the same first name. This example proves that our personalities are out of our control due to genetic influences. However, several studies show that traits can be developed over time based on one’s environment. For example, an individual who has been held captive during war will go through several hardships that develop his personality, making him mentally, emotionally and physically stronger. Patience is key during such a difficult time and this trait can indeed be developed over the years. One can go into prison as an emotionally weak individual who has low pain tolerance, but once they’re free they will come out with developed traits. This link will introduce you to such an individual whose personality transformed due to the circumstances he had to face.

Some would like to say that people put on a mask to hide their true personality. A great example of this is when you’re an extremely loud and outgoing individual, but as soon as you go to work you contain yourself in front of your strict boss. Your environment (your boss) influences you to change your extroverted nature for a small amount of time. As soon as you finish your shift and walk out of the office, you’re yourself again. The loud, obnoxious, talkative individual comes out of the “fake” shell again.

Your body language can also shape your personality. Amy Cuddy further explains how you can “fake it ‘till you make it” by merely changing your body’s position. “Power posing” is standing in a posture of confidence regardless of whether we feel confident or not. This affects the testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain and impacts how powerful we actually feel. She conducted tests on several individuals and concluded that you can indeed fake confidence, which then turns into actual confidence. This 20-minute video is a great representation of how an individual can, in fact, tweak their personality.

http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are

Everyone has a personality that is unique from others. Although your genetic traits are impossible to change, you can indeed change your environment or your body posture to develop your personality. In the end what’s important is to be happy with the way that you are. Don’t try conforming to societal expectations if you’re content with yourself. Embrace your personality and soon you’ll learn to love it!