Personality tests have proved to be a bridge that promises insights that can be both profound and playful. These insights not only help shape personal life but also professional life.
Thus, to give such a holistic view, ThePleasantPersonality recently introduced a suite of personality tests featuring 16 Personalities, DiSC, Alphabetical, Socio-sexual, BIRD, Enneagram, and Big Five.
Remarkably, these personality tests have received a roaring response from participants across the globe. Interestingly, the majority of those taking the tests are women. Additionally, the surge has been prominent in the socio-sexual personality tests.
Therefore, to better understand this trend, we seek expert insights. So, let’s see what they had to say –
What drives the higher interest of women in personality tests, especially tests like the socio-sexual personality test?
Stacey Huffman, relationship coach and founder of Attraction Expert
Women may be more interested in personality tests than men because of the way they are socialized. Women are often encouraged to be self-aware and to understand their emotions, whereas men are often taught to suppress their emotions and focus on problem-solving. As a result, women may be more likely to be curious about their own personalities and to seek out personality tests to gain insight into themselves.
Kasey Rogers, editor-in-chief at Adviceforher.com
Women are naturally curious about understanding their own personalities and the personalities of those around them. This curiosity is often driven by a desire to better understand themselves and their relationships with others.
Personality tests can help women gain insight into their own personalities and the personalities of those around them, which can be beneficial in both their personal and professional lives.
Michelle Hobson, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
I believe that women often exhibit a profound curiosity about understanding others and a genuine interest in human behavior. Their inclination to seek knowledge about people, their emotions, and their motivations reflects their deep empathetic and nurturing qualities.
This natural curiosity can lead to stronger interpersonal connections and the ability to offer valuable support and insight to those around them, making them instrumental in fostering understanding and empathy within their communities and relationships.
Jennifer Worley, LMFT, Clinical Director of First Light Recovery
Women are often encouraged to be in touch with their feelings and understand relationships. Tests like the socio-sexual personality test focus on relationships and romantic interests, which many cultures expect women to prioritize. So, these tests offer women a structured way to understand themselves better in these areas.
Kim Homan, LMFT, Clinical Director at Tennessee Behavioral Health
Women, throughout history, have been guided to explore and understand their emotions in depth. This trend, coupled with societal expectations around relationships and personal roles, makes tests like the socio-sexual ones attractive.
They offer insights into personal behaviors and interpersonal dynamics, giving women a clearer lens to see and understand themselves in relation to the world around them.
Dr. Alejandro Alva, Psychiatrist & Medical Director of Mental Health Center of San Diego
Women’s higher interest in personality tests, including socio-sexual ones, can often be attributed to their inclination towards introspection and self-awareness. Historically, women have been socialized to be more attuned to interpersonal dynamics and emotional understanding.
Personality tests provide a structured way to gain insights about oneself and others. Additionally, socio-sexual personality tests may resonate with many women as they explore aspects of identity-related to societal expectations, personal desires, and relationships.
Margaret Wang, licensed psychotherapist
Historical and societal factors may contribute to the increased engagement in personality tests for those identifying as female. Deviating from social norms has resulted in social ostracism or persecution, as seen in historical events like the Salem Witch Trials.
When referencing the hunting and gathering culture of earlier times, women often depended on one another for support and protection. Personality tests provide insight into how one fits into this social structure while potentially fostering a sense of belonging and understanding of their role within their community.
Are there societal or psychological factors that can explain the increased participation of women in personality tests, and if so, what are they?
Stacey Huffman, relationship coach and founder of Attraction Expert
Societal factors may also play a role in the increased participation of women in personality tests. Women are often expected to take on more emotional labor in relationships, so they may be more interested in understanding their own personalities and the personalities of those around them. Additionally, women are often expected to take on more responsibility for managing relationships, so they may be more likely to use personality tests to gain insight into how to better interact with others.
Kasey Rogers, editor-in-chief at Adviceforher.com
Societal factors can also play a role in the increased participation of women in personality tests. Women are often socialized to be more self-aware and to pay attention to the feelings and emotions of those around them. This can lead to a greater interest in understanding their own personalities and the personalities of those around them.
Michelle Hobson, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
I think society often places the expectation on women to be the nurturers and caregivers, which is why they can benefit immensely from understanding human behavior. Their inherent empathy and nurturing qualities make them adept at offering support, comfort, and guidance to those in need. By comprehending the intricacies of human behavior, women can better navigate and fulfill their caregiving roles, not only in their families but also in their broader communities. This understanding equips them with the knowledge to provide the vital emotional and practical support that society often relies on them to deliver, fostering a more compassionate and empathetic world.
Jennifer Worley, LMFT, Clinical Director at First Light Recovery
Yes. Society often sees women as caregivers and communicators, roles that need a good understanding of oneself and others. Personality tests offer insights into this. Also, women generally tend to be more introspective. They might use these tests to better handle and understand their feelings.
Kim Homan, LMFT, Clinical Director at Tennessee Behavioral Health
From a societal standpoint, women have often been cast in roles that emphasize caregiving and emotional understanding. This naturally drives them towards tools, like personality tests, that foster deeper self-awareness. On a psychological level, the diverse and sometimes challenging roles women navigate in society might amplify their desire for introspective tools. These tests provide them with a framework to understand their behaviors, motivations, and reactions in various situations.
Dr. Alejandro Alva, Psychiatrist & Medical Director at Mental Health Center of San Diego
There are both societal and psychological factors at play here. Societally, women have been conditioned to be more relationship-oriented and are often encouraged to understand and manage emotions – both theirs and those of others. This makes tools that offer personal insight appealing.
Psychologically, the human desire for self-understanding and belongingness isn’t gender-specific, but women might be more receptive to avenues that promise such insights due to their social upbringing.
Margaret Wang, licensed psychotherapist
The increased participation of women in personality tests could be attributed to societal expectations and gender norms. There is an expectation that cis-gendered men should not express themselves emotionally, and this could lead to a reluctance to delve into their personalities.
Women may feel that personality tests provide a safe space for self-reflection and exploration, as societal norms may allow them to engage in introspective activities. Women may feel that they are more encouraged to understand themselves better, as it is often seen as a means of personal growth and empowerment. This might serve as a motivator for women to participate in personality tests.
In your perspective, do women possess a unique motivation or interest in delving into their personalities compared to men?
Stacey Huffman, relationship coach and founder of Attraction Expert
In my perspective, women may possess a unique motivation or interest in delving into their personalities compared to men. Women often have to navigate a wide range of expectations and roles in society, so they may be more likely to seek out information about their own personalities in order to better understand themselves and how to manage their relationships.
Kasey Rogers, editor-in-chief at Adviceforher.com
In my opinion, women may possess a unique motivation or interest in delving into their personalities compared to men. Women are often more self-aware and more likely to take the time to reflect on their own personalities and the personalities of those around them. This can lead to a greater interest in understanding their own personalities and the personalities of those around them.
Michelle Hobson, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Not to say that men don’t have interest in understanding human behavior, of course they do. However, I do believe that men often receive more recognition and rewards for delving into fields beyond human behavior, such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, where their analytical and problem-solving skills are highly valued. This societal bias can create distinct expectations and opportunities for men and women, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and challenging these gender-based stereotypes.
Jennifer Worley, LMFT, Clinical Director at First Light Recovery
Generally, women might be slightly more motivated to explore their personalities. This is because society expects them to be emotionally aware and understanding. As a result, they might use tools like personality tests to meet these expectations and satisfy their own curiosity.
Kim Homan, LMFT, Clinical Director at Tennessee Behavioral Health
While the core human desire for self-awareness is universal across genders, societal influences shape how this desire is pursued. Women, given societal encouragement, might be more inclined to be openly introspective and self-reflective. Conversely, men, though equally curious, might sometimes be restrained by societal norms that equate introspection with vulnerability.
Dr. Alejandro Alva, Psychiatrist & Medical Director at Mental Health Center of San Diego
While it’s essential to avoid overgeneralization, research has indicated that women, on average, tend to be more empathetic and emotionally expressive than men. His emotional attunement might foster a heightened interest in delving deeper into understanding personalities, both theirs and those around them. However, it’s crucial to remember that individual motivations can vary widely regardless of gender.
Margaret Wang, licensed psychotherapist
There may be unique motivations and interests that drive women to delve into their personalities compared to men. While it’s important to recognize that individual motivations vary widely, there are some factors that could contribute to this trend.
There may be a stronger interest among women in exploring their personalities, and this interest could be influenced by societal factors. Women often experience social expectations and obligations that encourage them to seek self-identity and self-understanding. The desire to conform to social norms and roles can prompt women to engage in activities like taking personality tests to gain a sense of belonging and self-awareness.
Individuals might be drawn to these tests because they offer an opportunity to recognize and celebrate their strengths, which can be empowering. This can serve as a source of motivation and confidence, reinforcing the idea that they possess unique qualities that contribute to their personal and professional lives.
How do women’s curiosity about personality tests impact their personal and professional lives, including their decision-making process, relationships, and career choices?
Stacey Huffman, relationship coach and founder of Attraction Expert
Women’s curiosity about personality tests can have a positive impact on their personal and professional lives. Understanding their own personalities can help women make better decisions in their relationships and career choices. Additionally, understanding the personalities of those around them can help women better manage their relationships and navigate difficult conversations.
Kasey Rogers, editor-in-chief at Adviceforher.com
The insights gained from personality tests can have a positive impact on women’s personal and professional lives. Understanding one’s own personality can help women make better decisions, build stronger relationships, and make more informed career choices. Additionally, understanding the personalities of those around them can help women build stronger relationships and better understand the motivations of those around them.
Michelle Hobson, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
I think personality tests offer women insights into their strengths, preferences, and working styles. By understanding themselves better, women can make informed decisions about their career paths, leverage their natural abilities, and enhance their communication and teamwork skills. Additionally, personality tests can assist women in career planning, leadership development, and networking, ultimately contributing to their success in a competitive professional world.
Jennifer Worley, LMFT, Clinical Director at First Light Recovery
Understanding their personality can help women make better choices in life. Personally, it can improve relationships and self-awareness. Professionally, it can guide them towards jobs that match their strengths, leading to more satisfaction. Knowing oneself better can also help in making clearer and more informed decisions in all areas of life.
Kim Homan, LMFT, Clinical Director at Tennessee Behavioral Health
Understanding one’s personality nuances offers a foundation for authentic decision-making. For women, this understanding can enhance communication and empathy in personal relationships, leading to deeper and more meaningful connections. In a professional context, the insights from these tests can guide women toward career paths that align more closely with their intrinsic strengths and passions. In essence, these tests provide women with valuable insights, empowering them to make life choices with increased clarity and confidence.
Dr. Alejandro Alva, Psychiatrist & Medical Director at | Mental Health Center of San Diego
A heightened curiosity about personality tests can offer women actionable insights into their strengths, weaknesses, preferences, and tendencies. In personal relationships, this self-awareness can promote better communication, understanding, and conflict resolution. Professionally, understanding one’s personality type can guide career choices, optimize team dynamics, and improve leadership styles. Furthermore, self-awareness can influence decision-making by making individuals more cognizant of their biases and inclinations, leading to more informed and balanced choices.
Margaret Wang, licensed psychotherapist
When those identifying as women receive personality test results, they often feel motivated and energized by discovering their strengths. This awareness may inspire individuals to leverage their positive traits in different areas of their lives. For example, if someone receives higher scores in areas of openness, she may use her ability to resolve conflicts with others. She may integrate her ability to be open and honest with others personally or professionally. In terms of career choices, if a woman identifies certain strengths, such as leadership skills or creativity, she may be more inclined to pursue a career that aligns with these attributes. This might lead to a more fulfilling career and excel in this chosen field.
A Word from ThePleasantPersonality
The experts have given their take on why women’s participation is maximum. But believe it or not, personality tests are beneficial to both – men and women. So, if you wish to opt for one, then click here!
