Why do we love to take personality tests?
Hello Gorgeous,
Hand to heart, do you love filling out personality tests, even if it is silly ones like “What dog breed are you, and what does it say about your dating life”?
I am guilty as charged!
I love personality tests, the serious and not-so-serious ones. Since I was a girl, I always flipped my magazine to the personality test page and redid it until it said what I wanted it to say. Sounds familiar?
Why is it, do you think, that we - people - love personality tests so much, and how do we - businesses - exploit this phenomenon?
Why do businesses offer personality tests?
The good news is, it is not just you; there is an actual psychological and societal phenomenon behind the fascination with personality tests. The bad news is that you fall into the trap of sassy entrepreneurs like myself and trade my analysis for your email address. Baam, we have another lead on our mailing list.
Here is how I see it: as a new business that is still working on the prototypes, it is super tough to get your attention in the jungle of information that is out there. Nowadays, it is very hard to get followers on social media and convince people to sign up for a newsletter - I don’t blame you; I am the same. But I need a big and enthusiastic follower base and a long mailing list for a successful product launch.
Many brands offer discounts on the first purchase if you sign up for their newsletter. That is called lead generation and will be expensed under customer acquisition costs. Because you see, if you are on their mailing list, they no longer have to target you through ads and save money. If they are fortunate, you will immediately buy something with your discount voucher because they usually expire quite quickly.
We don’t want to do that; our Cheelettos - vegan high heels - are luxury products handcrafted from the highest quality materials. Offering a discount dilutes our brand before we even have a product on the market. I think you would agree that this makes no sense at all.
So we had to come up with something to offer you that intrigues you, speaks to your emotions, and you might even be inclined to share with your friends. That something is the good old personality test.
As a social anthropologist and negotiation expert, designing a test for you was right down my alley. It has been my job for years to read people and pass the exact message that makes them do exactly what I want.
If you are intrigued, go ahead and take the test to find your unique high heel personality now and prove me wrong. If you still need convincing, keep reading.
the self and others: we are tribal beings
You are still reading, this means that you are a sceptic; it's mind-blowing how I just analysed your personality, right?
Not to worry, I have just the thing for you. Let me present some studies that will convince you. I wish I had reading glasses with thick lenses, ones I could gently slide down to the end of my nose so that I could look over the edges with a solemn and serious gaze while writing this - I would feel so much more sophisticated!
Discovering your Unique Self
Personality tests have gained significant popularity among individuals seeking insights into their own character and behaviour. This widespread interest can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, personality tests offer a platform for self-discovery, allowing individuals to better understand their own traits, preferences, and tendencies. It's like embarking on a thrilling journey of self-exploration. (Denissen & Penke, 2008)
Connecting with the Tribe
Moreover, personality tests serve as tools for understanding others and fostering interpersonal connections. By exploring their own personality traits and tendencies, individuals can develop a greater appreciation for the diversity of human behaviour, leading to enhanced empathy and communication skills. It's like learning a new language that helps you connect with people on a whole new level. (Suls, Martin, & Wheeler, 2002)
Feeling Like a Superstar
Additionally, the appeal of personality tests lies in the sense of validation they provide. By receiving personalized results based on their responses, individuals often feel affirmed in their unique identity and experiences. This validation contributes to a sense of belonging and community as individuals compare their results with others and discuss commonalities and differences. It's like getting a thumbs-up from the universe, confirming that you're pretty awesome just the way you are. (John, Naumann, & Soto, 2008)
Joining the Personality Party
The accessibility of personality tests further contributes to their popularity. In today's digital age, individuals can easily access a myriad of personality assessments through online platforms and mobile applications. This accessibility ensures that personality testing is available to a broad audience, catering to individuals seeking personal growth and development. Moreover, the proliferation of social media and online communities facilitates the sharing of personality test results, fostering discussions and interactions among like-minded individuals. It's like joining a virtual party where everyone's invited to geek out over personality insights. (Stieger & Swami, 2018)
Embrace the Adventure
In summary, the widespread appeal of personality tests can be attributed to their role in facilitating self-discovery, understanding others, seeking validation, and fostering community. Grounded in established psychological theories and made accessible through digital platforms, personality tests continue to serve as valuable tools for personal insight and growth.
Are you finally ready to take our test and learn all about your unique high heel personality?
Concluding remarks
You can’t expect me to pull an academic on you and then not have concluding remarks…
I hope you enjoyed the read and that you will have some fun with our personality test; I know I had fun putting it together - over a glass of wine in a fun little bar to make sure it is an accurate analysis of your true personality!
I look forward to learning if you are an
EcoChic Heelista
Chic Executive Heelista
A Stylish Mama Maven
Stylish Maverick
Glamorous Fashion Icon
Comfort Conscious Trendsetter
Okay, come on, if you haven’t taken the test yet, I am sure you are intrigued, at least by now. If you have resisted so far, take the test now and share it with at least one person who likes to wear high heels.
Thank you for your email address and your support, you will hear from us. I hope you enjoyed the read.
I wish you an excellent rest of the week.
Stand tall!
With love,
Fiorella
References
Denissen, J. J. A., & Penke, L. (2008). Motivational individual reaction norms underlying the Five-Factor model of personality: First steps towards a theory-based conceptual framework. Journal of Research in Personality, 42(5), 1285–1302.
John, O. P., Naumann, L. P., & Soto, C. J. (2008). Paradigm shift to the integrative big five trait taxonomy: History, measurement, and conceptual issues. In O. P. John, R. W. Robins, & L. A. Pervin (Eds.), Handbook of personality: Theory and research (pp. 114–158). Guilford Press.
Stieger, S., & Swami, V. (2018). The psychology of social media users: Why do people use social media? In The Oxford Handbook of Internet Psychology (pp. 193–208). Oxford University Press.
Suls, J., Martin, R., & Wheeler, L. (2002). Social comparison: Why, with whom, and with what effect? Current Directions in Psychological Science, 11(5), 159–163.
