There are plenty of personality tests available to help you uncover who you are and how you make decisions in life. Some even provide insight on how you might be able to enhance or better yourself in various areas.
One popular personality test is the Difficult Person Test, which has gained notoriety due to its use on social media platforms. This assessment outlines seven traits which could indicate an antagonistic outlook.
Callousness
Callousness is the term used to describe someone who lacks empathy towards other’s feelings. You can tell when someone shows this trait by their laughter at you when you’re sad, or by not offering assistance when something has gone wrong.
Callous people can be difficult to build relationships with. Clinical psychologist Ramani Durvasula, PhD, says these individuals lack empathy and this makes relationships challenging.
A recent study published in Psychological Science explored the relationship between callousness and other personality traits. Researchers created a model that breaks antagonism down into seven factors.
They found that agreeableness and conscientiousness, two of the Big Five personality traits, are closely linked to callousness. Furthermore, there was significant genetic overlap between callousness and these traits.
They then explored the relationship between callousness and sex, which they discovered to be a major factor. Boys’ callousness was positively correlated with anterior insula volume; this interaction accounted for 19% of their variance in callousness score – making this study significant as it’s the first time sex has been shown to affect callousness scores in an academic research study.
Grandiosity
Grandiosity is a form of self-worth and confidence that can be both healthy and detrimental. Individuals with grandiosity often believe they are more important than others and feel entitled to praise or rewards more frequently.
They may also believe they possess more intelligence or talent than their peers, and thus should be heard when discussing important matters. Furthermore, they may possess an intense sense of morality, believing their opinions to be correct and worthy of following.
Mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia may lead to delusions of grandeur, or the unshakeable belief that one is more important than others. While these delusions can be severe, they usually respond well to treatment from a mental health professional.
Grandiosity can be a sign of borderline personality disorder (BPD). This trait is particularly prevalent among exhibitionists, but it’s also possible to experience grandiosity without an exhibitionist diagnosis.
Untrustworthiness
Untrustworthiness is a trait that makes it difficult to form meaningful connections with people. This could be due to various reasons, such as trauma in the past or growing up in an unsafe environment.
It is possible to change this type of personality. Begin by focusing on what you do well, which will increase your trustworthiness and create healthier relationships in the future.
When trying to determine someone’s trustworthiness, you can look for certain signs. Pay attention to their body language and behavior; if they seem suddenly upset or acting strangely, this could be indicative of an unhealthy person to be around.
Additionally, if they repeatedly change friends and groups within a short time, this could indicate they are untrustworthy. It could indicate they are trying to manipulate you or find an opportunity for abuse of you.
Additionally, if they exhibit suspicious behavior or suspect everyone else of their ulterior motives, this could be another indication that they lack trustworthiness. This could prove especially problematic if you’re trying to build a relationship with them as it could make it difficult for you to express your emotions and worries openly.
Aggressiveness
Aggressiveness is a type of behavior that may lead to physical harm or destruction to another’s property, often when someone feels overwhelmed or frustrated with another.
Aggression can also be the result of a mental health condition or life situation that causes stress. For instance, if you were abused as a child or experienced an unstable family environment, then you might be more prone to engaging in aggressive behavior later on.
Aggression comes in various forms, such as physical, verbal and relational. Physical aggression includes hitting, kicking and punching.
Verbal aggression may include shouting, swearing and making offensive statements. Relational aggression may take the form of bullying or playing pranks on others.
Though not always harmful, aggressive behaviors can be frustrating and difficult for others to deal with. If you find that your actions are becoming increasingly aggressive, it may be time for professional assistance.
A psychologist can assist in recognizing potential triggers and contributing factors for your aggressive behaviors. Your therapist also offers guidance on how to respond more effectively when feeling threatened or angry. Rational detachment is an invaluable skill that will allow you to more effectively diffuse conflict while maintaining control of your emotions.
Suspicion
Suspicion can be one of the most challenging personalities to deal with in a relationship, and this can cause immense strain and stress in your partnership.
Suspicion is the tendency to doubt someone or something’s trustworthiness due to not knowing enough about them or their behavior. While this can be a healthy trait, it can also lead to distrust and anger in someone’s life.
Suspicion of someone or something being untrustworthy can be a difficult issue to manage, particularly when they have power over you. It may even prove more challenging if you have an intimate relationship with this individual.
Trust is built over time in a relationship, but for those suffering from paranoid personality disorder this process may never happen.
Paranoid personality disorder is characterized by an intense feeling of suspicion and mistrust toward others. They believe without reason that others are harming or exploiting them, leading them to distrust even close friends and family members. This belief can become so strong that individuals experience difficulty trusting those closest to them.
Manipulation
Manipulating another’s mind is an act of mental distortion designed to gain power and control over them. This may involve gaslighting, lying, blaming, and other techniques which reduce their sense of reality and emotional safety.
Manipulating someone can undermine their trust in themselves or others, leaving them feeling disoriented, uncertain about their own perceptions, and lost in life. A victim may experience feelings of abandonment or betrayal after being victimized.
If you are being mismanaged, it is essential to recognize the warning signs and take steps to diffuse the situation. Instead of getting frustrated or upset, try to stay composed and focused on what needs to be done.
Be on the lookout for manipulative behaviors such as love bombing. This occurs when someone showers you with gifts, compliments, affection or time that doesn’t feel natural or right.
This can be an indication that they are trying to incite strong emotions or gain sympathy. While it’s difficult to detect this behavior, take note of its pattern so you can recognize when being duped.
Domineering
Dominance is a core personality trait that can be frustrating and challenging to work with. Dominators typically feel the need to have control over everything and everyone around them.
People with dominant personalities tend to be strong leaders and dedicated individuals, yet they may struggle when dealing with others who don’t share their goals and expectations. This can cause conflict in relationships.
When working with someone who tends to dominate, it’s essential to recognize their personality type and use their strengths for your advantage instead of trying to force them into a role they don’t feel comfortable in.
To encourage employees’ independence, you should provide them with a space to work independently – especially in creative roles that allow them to explore new concepts and collaborate closely with others.
Furthermore, avoid giving them tasks that are too mundane and filled with details. Dominators perform best when they can focus on long-term objectives that require creativity and innovation.
Dominating personalities can have a detrimental effect on your team’s performance, so it is essential to address them as soon as possible in order to restore harmony and build the best team possible. Managers of difficult employees or experienced professionals looking to reduce their tendency towards taking over should utilize these strategies for success.
