Eysenck's method for determining temperament. Description, interpretation of results

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

Everyone has heard of temperament types such as sanguine, choleric, melancholic and phlegmatic. Many even took tests to determine their temperament. Eysenck's technique allows you to identify the innate properties of a person that affect his entire future life. Everyone is interested in what drives his actions, feelings and emotions. Eysenck, using the materials of his many predecessors in his work, created a test that can determine what type of temperament a person belongs to.

If you answer the testing questions honestly and directly, then this technique shows surprisingly truthful results, which only increased its popularity in the world community. What kind of person created this test? What made him explore such a complex thing as the human intellect? To understand this issue, you need to look into the past, learn about the difficult but interesting life of Professor Eysenck.

Biography

Hans Jurgen Eysenck was born in 1916 in Berlin. The family in which the great scientist was born was rather unusual - fatherstarred in comedy films, and his mother was a famous silent film actress. Naturally, the parents wanted to introduce their son to their profitable profession, they even helped little Eysenck play his first role in the film. But young Hans did not want to become an actor, he was attracted by the vast expanses of scientific thought.

After graduating from high school, Eysenck entered the University of Berlin to study philosophy there. However, he did not support the ideology of the Nazis, which then occupied an increasing place in German hearts.

Therefore, Hans often quarreled with other students, which created a bad atmosphere for mastering the sciences. At the same time, the situation of the Eysenck family was becoming increasingly precarious, because his father was a Jew who was preparing a terrible fate in Nazi Germany.

All these factors forced the Eysenck family to move to France. True, they did not stay there for long, only a year, during which Hans studied literature and history. Then the family of the future genius of psychology moved to England, where she stayed to live. Here Eysenck entered the University of London at the Faculty of Psychology, as the requirements at the Faculty of Physics were too high. In 1940, Hans Eysenck received a doctorate in psychology.

Works

During the Second World War, Dr. Eysenck worked in a hospital for the rehabilitation of soldiers who received mental disabilities in the war. There he not only helped patients, but also conducted experiments on them, asking many questions about their inner experiences. After the war, Hans founded the Department of Psychology inLondon Institute of Psychiatry. It was she who became his permanent place of work until his death.

Not everyone liked the unusual doctor of psychology, some of his works caused outright hostility among people. Of course, the intelligence test, Eysenck's self-assessment of mental states, or his famous temperament test have gained worldwide popularity. Everyone wants to know more about themselves or make sure that their intelligence is higher than that of others.

But not all of Hans Eysenck's research appealed to the public. Some of his writings were openly racist. For example, a work in which a scientist wrote that the level of intelligence is determined by genes, and black people are on average 15 points lower than a white person. Many sciences like eugenics or astrology, popular in the Third Reich, attracted a psychologist. The idea of creating a superman was also close to Eysenck, which is clearly felt in his books.

Hans was repeatedly criticized and attacked by radical left organizations. Despite this, he calmly continued his work, completely ignoring the ill-wishers. Many of his works, such as the Eysenck technique for temperament, have earned unprecedented popularity and brought worldwide fame to their creator. The great psychologist died in 1997, having published a huge number of works used in psychology to this day. The ambiguous reputation of Hans Eysenck cannot overshadow his significant achievements in the field of psychology.

Eysenck method for determining temperament

TestThe definition of temperament is based on the assumption that the human nervous system has certain innate qualities that significantly affect the formation of personality. Pavlov's research played an important role in the creation of this test. Hans Eysenck suggested that some of the strongest character traits have the greatest influence on personality, which he distinguished into two types - extraversion and introversion, stability and neuroticism. It is the combinations of these signs that form the temperament of a person.

Eysenck's Temperament Study Method revealed that the combination of introversion and stability creates a calm, peaceful, kind and caring, but passive person. But if introversion is combined with neuroticism, the result will be a withdrawn, pessimistic, suspicious individual suffering from constant mood swings. The combination of extrovert and stability makes a person sociable, cheerful, friendly, endows him with excellent leadership qualities. But if extraversion is combined with neuroticism, then an aggressive, unstable, vulnerable and impulsive personality comes out.

What is a temperament test

Eysenck's method for determining temperament includes a number of questions aimed at identifying the basic qualities of a human personality. For example, some of the questions are designed to identify extraversion or introversion of a person. The other part of them is needed to determine emotional stability, and some are intended only to test the honesty of the subject in order to establish the reliability of the results. There are two test options forbe able to retest without fear that the subject has remembered their previous answers.

The interpretation of the test is simple enough for anyone to take it on their own. Eysenck's method of diagnosing temperament suggests that there is a certain coordinate plane, on the horizontal of which there is an "extrovert-introvert" scale, it marks the sum of points for answers to questions designed to determine extraversion. Some questions give a score for a “yes” answer, some for a “no” answer. The scale starts from 1 point and ends at 24, respectively, the center is 12. The same vertical scale determines the personality's neuroticism.

By counting the points and marking them on the coordinate plane, you will get a point that will characterize your personality. This point is at the intersection of two coordinates. Remember that it is impossible to meet any type of temperament in its pure form, each contains features of all four types. However, one of them will be dominant. It is to identify the dominant type of temperament that this technique was created. The Eysenck temperament type is not an acquired quality, therefore it is unrealistic to change the dominant temperament completely, you can only slightly dilute it, adjusting to life circumstances.

Eysenck method - self-assessment of mental states

The mental state self-assessment test was created in order to be able to find out how often the subject falls into certain mental states.states. This test has 4 groups of questions, 10 in each.

If the condition noted in the question is observed frequently, then 2 points are given, if sometimes - 1 point. If the probability of such a state is excluded, then the question is estimated at 0 points.

This test allows you to better understand yourself without the help of outsiders. With it, you can find out what you need to change in your personality for a more harmonious life. This is a very popular Eysenck technique. The mental states described in it cannot be completely avoided, but it is quite possible to put them in order, to become a balanced, happy person.

Interpretation of results

The first group of questions is intended to test a person for anxiety. A score from 0 to 7 is a sign of low anxiety, a person with such results is calm and enjoys life. From 8 to 14 points - the average level of anxiety, most people fit into this category. A score of 15 or more indicates an extremely high level of anxiety, this is a signal that it is time to take measures to restore mental he alth.

The second group of questions reveals the level of frustration of the subject. If a person scored from 0 to 7 points in this group of questions, then his self-esteem is high, failures and difficulties do not frighten him. 8-14 points - normal level, frustration happens, but not very often. From 15 points - constant frustration caused by low self-esteem and catastrophic self-doubt. People with this level of frustration avoid difficulties, even a small setback can deal a crushing blow to their peace of mind.

Questions of the third group determine the aggressiveness of the subject. If the Eysenck self-assessment method shows from 0 to 7 points in this group of questions, this is a sign of a calm and balanced person. From 8 to 14 points is an acceptable level of aggression, most people belong to this group. Aggression takes place, but occurs only for any reason and is partially controlled by the person. If the subject scores more than 15 points in the questions of the third group, then he definitely experiences problems with anger and aggression, which can create serious difficulties in communicating with people.

The last group of questions evaluates a person's rigidity. If the scores are 0-7, then the subject easily tolerates changes, changes his worldview without problems under the influence of weighty arguments, and quickly adapts to a new environment. 8-14 points - a normal level of rigidity, it is not easy for a person to adapt and change, but under the influence of circumstances this is quite possible. From 15 to 20 points - very strong rigidity, the inability to change one's beliefs even under the influence of indisputable facts, changes at work or in the family bring serious stress to such a rigid subject.

Intelligence test

Probably the most popular Eysenck method is the intelligence test, or IQ. It is used everywhere from hiring to free online tests.

The average IQ is between 100 and 120 points. The test subject, who scored more than 130 points, is distinguished by outstanding mental abilities. If testing shows more than 150 points, this is a clear sign of genius.

The questions in this Eysenck test are for people aged 18 and over with a completed secondary education. They need to solve problems that do not require any specific knowledge, but only test the ability to think logically. Therefore, the IQ test is suitable for everyone, regardless of education and profession. This is probably the most common Eysenck technique. Intelligence is one of the main qualities necessary for survival in the modern world, its development and measurement is incredibly important for humanity.

How does an IQ test work

You have 30 minutes to complete the test. During this period of time, you need to answer 40 questions. If a question is too difficult, you can skip it and move on to the next one to save some time. As practice has shown, some questions are very simple, while others lead to a stupor, absorbing the time of the subject, reducing the overall result. Therefore, you need to manage your time wisely and not dwell on any issues, you can return to them later.

This test is not the same as, for example, the Eysenck method for temperament, because here only 30 minutes are given for all questions, which does not allow the person undergoing the test to relax, constantly keeps him in suspense.

It is difficult to say how reliable this method of measuring intelligence is, many believe that it only shows the ability to think logically. Be that as it may, alternatives to this test have not yet been invented, leaving Eysenck a monopoly on measuring people's minds.

Should we trust the tests?

Hans Eysenck created many wonderful tests that are ubiquitous in our society. However, you should not completely rely on them, because human consciousness is a dense forest. Scientists have barely scratched its surface, but the depths of the mind are still a mystery.

Despite this, Eysenck's tests can reveal the most serious disorders in emotional or intellectual development. For example, a person who scores less than 80 on an IQ test clearly has mental development problems.

The results of the Eysenck method can also report serious disorders in the work of the psyche in time. Thus, minor defects or problems hidden deep in the subconscious are unlikely to be revealed to you using Eysenck tests, but if you answer the questions honestly, the information obtained as a result will certainly make you think. Each Eysenck technique is the result of hard work and numerous studies. Hans was inspired to create some tests by the works of ancient thinkers. Also of great importance in the works of this remarkable scientist are the studies of I. P. Pavlov, who also made an invaluable contribution to science.

Where can I take the Eysenck tests?

BA huge number of sites have been created on the Internet where you can read everything about the tests, and even take them online. Each Eysenck technique, description, questions and scoring methods are presented on the World Wide Web - all this is offered by numerous sites dedicated to psychology. Various social centers and psychologists are also ready to conduct "live" testing. However, it will most likely cost money.

Another thing is testing online. Here you will be provided with a convenient interface to go through the entire procedure and explain in detail what's what.

Those who don't want to take the test online can simply find the questions and scoring methods to calculate the results themselves. All you need is a piece of paper and a pen or pencil.

Of course, whether or not to pass the Eysenck tests is a personal matter for everyone, except when required by the employer. But if you have a little free time, then instead of spending it on entertainment and bad habits, you can get to know your character better, assess the strengths or weaknesses of your own personality. This will help you develop the most effective life strategy, use your strengths and cover your vulnerabilities.

Each Eysenck technique is the fruit of his many years of work. This unusual scientist believed that the human mind is measurable. His whole life was permeated with this unshakable faith in the limitless possibilities of psychology, and this paid off. As many as 84 books were writtenHans Eysenck, his work inspires passionate researchers of our time, and psychologist tests are used around the globe and have proven themselves well. Do not miss the opportunity to touch your inner world, take the Eysenck tests, and perhaps this will change your life forever.