Online quizzes and personality tests are a cultural phenomenon. People can turn to these tools to deepen their understanding of themselves and their partners.
I am one of these people. Some people find partners on dating apps like Hinge, Bumble and Smooch. Yes, I made up that last one, but I am sure in a few years there will be another dating app with a similarly humorous name that makes you slightly embarrassed to tap the download button in the app store.
These apps often require you to put in a bunch of personal information anywhere from your sexuality to your zodiac sign. These profiles are the deciding point between swiping left or right.
But I am not someone who met my boyfriend through one of these platforms, and consequently, I didn’t receive any of this information before metaphorically swiping on Mr. Right. I met my boyfriend the old-fashioned way, through a campus church event.
After three weeks of seeing him once per week, I decided I wanted to date him without knowing much about him, only that I felt happier around him.. It also didn’t hurt that he was a foot taller than me, funny and good-looking.
But this old-fashioned method of meeting each other meant that I didn’t know things about him that dating app users might know about their partners early on. So I employed the help of online tests. I sent him multiple quizzes and after every subset of answers, I fell further in love with him.
For some, these tests might seem unnecessary or frivolous, but to me, they provide insight into someone’s values, preferences and personality traits. Understanding these aspects can strengthen the bond in a relationship. Personality tests are popular, and they enable people to delve into their psychological profiles.
The 16 Personalities test, for example, is often used to categorize people into distinct personality types based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Similarly, understanding love languages—the concept that people express and receive love in different ways—can create a more fulfilling emotional connection.
Some might argue that such quizzes simplify complex human behaviors or lack scientific backing, but proponents maintain that they serve as conversation starters and tools for self-reflection, helping partners explore compatibility and expectations.
As societal norms continue to grow and develop, the integration of personality tests into dating practices might become more commonplace.
Ultimately, whether you embrace or disregard the notion of using personality tests in relationships, the underlying goal remains the same: to cultivate genuine connections rooted in understanding and respect. As couples navigate the complexities of modern love, tools that facilitate this journey could prove invaluable.
Sometimes, a quirky questionnaire may be the key to unlocking deeper emotional intimacy.