A major new study involving 1.5 million volunteers from around the world has identified four distinct personality types: average, reserved, role-model, and self-centered.

Researchers made use of "OCEAN," the five main traits commonly accepted by psychologists, to gauge where the person fits into the four personality types. The five character traits are openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.

"People have tried to classify personality types since Hippocrates's time, but previous scientific literature has found that to be nonsense," said study co-author William Revelle. "Now, these data show there are higher densities of certain personality types."

The study was published in the journal Nature.

Sorting Through Troves Of Data

As mentioned, over 1.5 million people from around the world were involved in the study. They willingly answered online quizzes containing between 44 and 300 questions that were developed by the research community in a span of several decades.

The algorithm developed by the team first revealed about 16 personality clusters based on the participants' responses to the questionnaires. However, after imposing additional constraints, the personality types were narrowed down to just four.

"The data came back, and they kept coming up with the same four clusters at higher densities than you'd expect by chance, and you can show by replication that this is statistically unlikely," added Revelle. "The methodology is the main part of the paper's contribution to science."

The 4 Personality Types

According to the new study, the four personality types are as follows:

Average: The people in this group are characterized by neuroticism and extraversion. They, however, scored low on openness. According to researchers, this is the most common personality type.

Reserved: People who are considered reserved are said to be emotionally stable and not openly neurotic. They are also extroverted but agreeable and conscientious.

Role Model: Meanwhile, role models scored low on neuroticism but high on four other character traits. They are considered to be good leaders who are dependable and are open to new ideas.

Self-Centered: Individuals who possess this personality trait scored very high in extraversion and below average on openness, agreeableness, and consciousness.

The video below further talks about the research on the four personality types.

 

The new research that identifies four distinct personality types puts into question the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Developed by Isabel Briggs Myers, and her mother, Katharine Briggs, the test identifies 16 distinctive personality types based on a person's preferences.

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is perhaps the popular personality test and used often in the business sector.

Researchers hope that their findings will be used by hiring managers, mental health professionals, and online dating. People can still take the quiz and contribute to the ongoing research.