The Golden Set of Personality Inventories*

Sentino offers a range of scientifically validated personality inventories** to help you gain insights into various aspects of your character and behavior. Whether you’re interested in exploring your vocational interests, understanding your interpersonal dynamics, or delving into your archetypes, Sentino supports you on your journey towards self-discovery and personal growth.

Sentino offers well-established tools such as the Big-Five Personality Traits (BIG5), the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO), and the HEXACO Personality Inventory, among others. By utilizing these comprehensive and reliable assessments, we provided a deep and nuanced understanding of your unique personality profile.

We regard the following set of core personality inventories as the gold standard in psychodiagnostic assessment.

Big-Five Personality Traits (BIG5)

Authors and publication

Big-Five Factor Markers; Goldberg (1992).

Description

The Big Five personality test is a widely used personality assessment tool that measures an individual’s personality based on five broad dimensions: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. This section provides a detailed breakdown of the individual’s scores on each of these dimensions.

Big-Five Aspects (BFAS)

Authors and publication

10 Big-Five Aspects; DeYoung, Quilty, and Peterson (2007).

Description

The Big Five Aspects Scale (BFAS) is a personality survey designed to delve deeper into the well-known Big Five personality traits: Openness/Intellect, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. This scale breaks down each trait into two aspects, providing a more detailed understanding of an individual’s personality. With a 100-item questionnaire, rated on a 5-point Likert scale, the BFAS explores nuances within each dimension, offering insights into factors like enthusiasm, politeness, and withdrawal.

Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO)

Authors and publication

NEO-PI-R; Costa and McCrae (1992).

Description

The Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R) is a personality inventory that evaluates individuals based on the Big Five personality traits, which are openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. The inventory also provides information on the six subcategories, or facets, for each of these traits.

8 IPIP Interpersonal Circumplex Scales (8ICS)

Authors and publication

8 IPIP Interpersonal Circumplex Scales; Markey and Markey (2009).

Description

The IPIP Interpersonal Circumplex Scales is a set of eight scales used to assess an individual’s interpersonal traits and behavior. The scales are based on the interpersonal circumplex, which organizes interpersonal traits and behaviors along two dimensions: dominance (the degree to which a person seeks to control or influence others) and warmth (the degree to which a person is affectionate, caring, and empathetic). The eight scales are: Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, Dominance, Warmth, Trust, Straightforwardness. The IPIP Interpersonal Circumplex Scales are often used in research to examine the relationships between these interpersonal traits and various outcomes, such as job performance and satisfaction, social support, and mental health.

Abridged Big Five Dimensional Circumplex (AB5C)

Authors and publication

45 AB5C facets; Hofstee, de Raad and Goldberg (1992).

Description

The Abridged Big Five Dimensional Circumplex (AB5C) facets is a model of personality traits that incorporates both the Big Five model and the circumplex model. The AB5C model includes five main dimensions of personality: Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Openness. Each of these dimensions is broken down into six facets, resulting in a total of 30 facets. The facets are arranged in a circular format, with each facet located in a specific position within the circle based on its relationship to the other facets. The AB5C model is designed to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding personality traits and their relationships to each other. By examining the facets within each dimension, researchers and practitioners can gain a more nuanced understanding of individual differences in personality and their implications for behavior and outcomes in various domains.

7 Preliminary IPIP Scales (BIG7)

Authors and publication

7-Factor Scales; Saucier (1997).

Description

The Big Seven model of personality introduces Positive Valence (PV) and Negative Valence (NV) as distinctive elements, separate from the widely recognized Big Five dimensions. The findings indicate that PV and NV offer unique insights into predicting personality pathology beyond the conventional Big Five markers. Factor analysis suggests that PV aligns with maladaptive facets of positive emotionality, while NV resonates with the realm of low agreeableness, challenging the traditional belief in their complete independence. This paradigm shift brings nuanced understanding to the intricate interplay of positive and negative valences in shaping both normal and abnormal personalities.

California Psychological Inventory (CPI)

Authors and publication

California Psychological Inventory; Gough (1996)

Description

The California Psychological Inventory (CPI) is a self-report questionnaire designed to assess normal-range human behavior. It covers key concepts such as Tolerance, Responsibility, Integrity, Empathy, and Self-Control, providing insights into traits like interpersonal style, cognitive approach, self-management, and motivation. Unlike common personality tests, the CPI offers a detailed and nuanced understanding of an individual’s personality, exploring dimensions often overlooked by others.

DISC Personality Inventory (DISC)

Authors and publication

Emotions of Normal People; William Moulton Marston (2008).

Description

The DISC Personality Inventory is an assessment that measures an individual’s standing in four key personality types: dominance, influence, steadiness, and conscientiousness. All individuals possess these four traits, but the intensity of each varies from person to person. The DISC inventory does not label any of these personality traits as inherently advantageous or disadvantageous. The assessment and its outcomes are impartial, aiding individuals in managing conflicts, finding solutions, and uncovering the underlying reasons behind their typical habits and work styles.

HEXACO Personality Inventory (HEXACO)

Authors and publication

HEXACO-PI; Lee and Ashton (2004).

Description

The HEXACO Personality Inventory evaluates individuals based on six major dimensions of personality: Honesty-Humility, Emotionality, Extraversion, Agreeableness (versus Anger), Conscientiousness, and Openness to Experience. While the Big Five personality test is widely considered to be the gold standard in scientific assessment, some researchers contend that statistical analysis warrants expanding the model to include a sixth trait, Honesty-Humility.

Interpersonal Circumplex (IPC)

Authors and publication

Interpersonal Circumplex; P.M. Markey, C.N. Markey (2009).

Description

The Interpersonal Circumplex (IPC) is like a map for understanding how people interact. Shaped like a circle, it has two lines – one showing power and control, and the other showing warmth and friendliness. By using this map, psychologists can learn about different aspects of how people behave in relationships, helping them understand both normal and unusual ways people connect with each other.

Jackson Personality Inventory (JPC)

Authors and publication

Jackson Personality Inventory; Jackson (1994).

Description

The Jackson Personality Inventory (JPI) is a personality assessment tool that measures an individual’s personality traits based on the five-factor model (FFM) of personality. The five factors assessed by the JPI are: Openness to Experience, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. The JPI provides a detailed analysis of an individual’s personality, including sub-facets and hierarchical organization of traits. The JPI also provides scores on several additional scales, including Social Desirability, Positive and Negative Affect, and Personal Growth Initiative. The JPI is commonly used in research to examine the relationships between personality traits and various outcomes, such as job performance, leadership effectiveness, and mental health. It can also be used in clinical settings to assist in treatment planning and diagnosis.

MBTI Dimensions and MBTI Types (MBTI)

Authors and publication

Gifts Differing: Understanding Personality Type; Isabel Briggs Myers, Peter B. Myers (1995).

Description

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator/Dimensions (MBTI Dimensions), is a widely recognized personality inventory that evaluates individuals across four key dimensions. Each dimension represents a fundamental aspect of personality, contributing to the formation of one’s unique personality type. The four dimensions are Introversion vs Extraversion, Sensing vs Intuition, Feeling vs Thinking, Judging vs Perceiving.

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI Types) is a widely used personality assessment tool that categorizes individuals into one of 16 personality types based on their responses to a series of questions. This section offers an in-depth analysis of an individual’s personality type. It also provides insights into how the individual’s MBTI type may impact their personal and professional relationships, leadership style and career choices.

Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ)

Authors and publication

Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire; Tellegen (1995/2003).

Description

The Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ) is a tool created to assess a range of empirically derived primary traits within the normal spectrum. These traits, including Positive Emotionality (PEM), Negative Emotionality (NEM), and Constraint (CON), contribute to understanding broader dimensions of personality. The MPQ provides valuable insights into an individual’s behavior and characteristics, aiding in uncovering strengths, preferences, and potential areas for personal growth.

Oregon Avocational Interest Scales (ORAIS)

Authors and publication

The development of markers for the Big-Five factor structure. Psychological Assessment, 4, 26-42. Goldberg, L. R. (1992).

Description

The Oregon Avocational Interest Scales (ORAIS) is a public-domain inventory designed to assess avocational interests, measuring the relative frequency of individuals’ engagement in various interest-related activities. Comprising 33 scales with 4 to 8 behavioral acts each, totaling 209 items, ORAIS offers insights into individual interests using a top-down approach. By establishing internal consistency and incremental validity, ORAIS contributes to understanding lifestyle differences and serves as a valuable tool for predicting important human behaviors related to avocational pursuits.

Oregon Vocational Interest Scales (ORVIS)

Authors and publication

Oregon Vocational Interest Scales; Pozzebon, et al. (2010).

Description

The Oregon Vocational Interest Scales (ORVIS) is a career assessment tool that helps individuals explore their interests in various occupations and work environments. Widely used by professionals in career development, including HR professionals and career counselors, ORVIS measures eight key scales such as Leadership, Organization, and Creativity. By providing insights into an individual’s vocational interests and personality, ORVIS assists in identifying potential career paths that align with one’s preferences, making it a valuable resource for career exploration.

Pearson-Marr Archetype Indicator (PMAI)

Authors and publication

Pearson-Marr Archetype Indicator; Carol Pearson, Ph.D., Hugh Marr, Ph.D. (2003).

Description

The Pearson-Marr Archetype Indicator (PMAI) is a tool based on Carl Jung’s personality theories and Joseph Campbell’s mythology ideas. It helps people understand their unconscious patterns shaping their experiences and motivations and facilitates making conscious choices. It shows how archetypes influence perceptions and relationships, and can explain challenges in motivation or interactions. It’s also used in organizations to understand culture and improve branding, leadership, and employee development.

Holland Code Test (RIASEC)

Authors and publication

Holland Code (RIASEC) Test; Liao, Armstrong, Rounds (2008).

Description

The Holland Codes (RIASEC) Test is a tool that assesses an individual’s aspirations, activities, skills, and interests in various occupations. It measures six different characteristics: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional, which form the acronym RIASEC. This theory of personality, known as the Holland Occupational Themes, has become a dominant approach in the field of career counseling. The RIASEC Inventory helps individuals identify their most dominant work interests and explore career options based on this information.

SAPA Personality Inventory (SPI)

Authors and publication

An empirically-derived, hierarchically-organized self-report personality assessment model; David M. Condon (2018).

Description

The SAPA Personality Inventory is a personality assessment tool that measures an individual’s personality traits based on the Big Five model of personality. The Big Five model includes five main dimensions of personality: Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Openness to Experience. It provides a detailed analysis of an individual’s personality, including sub-facets and hierarchical organization of traits. In addition to the Big Five dimensions, the SAPA Personality Inventory also measures other personality traits, such as emotional stability, self-esteem, social skills, and intelligence. The assessment also includes measures of personal values and interests. The SAPA Personality Inventory is commonly used in research to examine the relationships between personality traits and various outcomes, such as job performance, mental health, and well-being. It can also be used in clinical settings to assist in diagnosis and treatment planning.

Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI)

Authors and publication

Temperament and Character Inventory; Cloninger, et al. (1994).

Description

The Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) is a tool developed to assess personality traits, focusing on a broad biopsychosocial model rather than just abnormal traits. It breaks down personality into seven dimensions, including temperaments like Novelty Seeking and Harm Avoidance, as well as characters like Self-Directedness and Self-Transcendence. Unlike solely psychological models, TCI considers genetic, social, cultural, and spiritual factors, providing a comprehensive understanding of individual differences in personality.

Values in Action Character Survey (VIA)

Authors and publication

Values in Action Character Survey; Peterson, Seligman (2004).

Description

The Values in Action (VIA) Character Survey is a personality assessment tool that measures an individual’s character strengths. It aims to identify an individual’s top character strengths from a list of 24: Creativity, Curiosity, Judgment, Love of Learning, Perspective, Bravery, Perseverance, Honesty, Zest, Love, Kindness, Social Intelligence, Teamwork, Fairness, Leadership, Forgiveness, Humility, Prudence, Self-Regulation, Appreciation of Beauty, Gratitude, Hope, Humor, and Spirituality. The VIA survey is often used in both clinical and research settings to identify an individual’s top character strengths and help them develop these strengths to promote well-being and personal growth. The survey can also be used to identify areas of weakness that may benefit from improvement.

* Our testing methodology is based on the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP), a comprehensive, freely accessible public domain collection of personality-related items, ensuring robust and scientifically validated assessments.

** The full list of available inventories is published here.