One's Self-Discovery is Another's Label

One can do a quick Google search today and be presented with countless different tests that will supposedly reveal your inner self. There are those that reveal your personality type, strengths, weakness, leadership skills all the way to suitable careers and many more. Each test relies on different procedures that range from responding to a set of statements on a scale of how applicable a statement is, to describing inkblot images whilst the test administrator records your every word and action.

What do you see in this image?

While there may be some evidence that personality tests have some use to the individual in their personal journey of discovering themselves or in the case of the Rorschach test; finding out one's psychology, there isn’t much discussion about how such tests affect the broader society. In some cases, it appears that these personality tests may be causing more harm than good.

Probably one of the most well-known personality descriptors is the introversion/extroversion scale. People everywhere seem to know about it or use it in their daily conversations to describe themselves or others without second thought. According to 16personalities.com, “introverted individuals prefer solitary activities and get exhausted by social interaction” while, “extroverted individuals prefer group activities and get energized by social interaction”. While there are a number of slightly different definitions to these terms, the label of the ‘extrovert’ and ‘introvert’ has clearly stuck in the minds of most people along with the idea that the label carries.

Assuming that these labels actually do correspond to a real inherent personality trait that is distinguishable, the ideas and meanings associated with these labels are socially constructed through social interactions, the media and institutions such as the workplaces, schools and even in the home. Since these labels include a behavioral expectation, labeling theory kicks in and individuals internalize these labels. With time and personal experience, a cycle begins in which a person labelled as an introvert behaves more and more as an introvert, thus reinforcing the label and its effect on the person’s life. 

Consequently, these personality starts working as process, stratification and structure similar to Lorber’s view of gender as process, stratification and structure. First, personality tests create the distinction between extroversion and introversion. As these labels become increasingly utilized in society, they are internalized and reinforced. Extroverts, due to their traits, are seen to be better and more able to function in our modern society while introverts are often misunderstood. Ultimately, personality types become a structure that gives more power to extroverts than to introverts. As this article suggests, extroverts dominate public life in almost every sphere due to their traits while introverts may be criticized and called timid, haughty, proud, loner and reserved.

So, the next time you take a personality test, remember that most of the meanings associated with both introversion and extroversion are nothing more than what society as a whole associates with those labels. Perhaps, it may be better to avoid these tests and pick up a book that presents a clear description of all the different personality tests to avoid the cyclical effects of a label. And finally, think twice before calling someone or yourself an introvert, or an extrovert for that matter. You’re only reinforcing the label.