Science Says There Are Only 4 Personality Types—Which One Are You?

As human beings, we like to think that we’re all unique, special snowflakes, and that there’s no one out there who’s quite like us. In many ways, that’s true; no one has your exact combination of genetics, life experiences, and general characteristics… or do they? We may have more in common with each other as people than we’d like to admit—according to a new study, there are only four types of people in the world. Say what?

Research performed by Northwestern’s McCormick School of Engineering and published in Nature Human Behavior revealed that there are four main personality types, a discovery which was determined after studying personality test answers from 1.5 million people. Do any of these sound like you?

Reserved

Pretty self-explanatory—reserved personality types tend to be meeker, soft-spoken, and more hesitant to share their thoughts and feelings or step up as leaders in any given situation. They tend to have fewer neuroses but are more introverted and agreeable.

Self-centered

Again, no big surprises here. Those with the self-centered personality type care less about other people’s thoughts and feelings and often don’t consider them in their decision-making. They tend to be extreme extroverts who are less open and agreeable than other types.

Want a partner? Attract love with the power of your mind.

Sweetn is a new research-based startup that shows you how to call love into your life with the power of your mind. Take our quiz, and try our tools—they can transform your energy and your love life in a few weeks. Just click here.

Role model

Role models are the leaders and mentors of the world, the ones who aren’t afraid to step up and take charge, setting a good example for those who look up to them. They’re conscientious, thoughtful, and open with the world around them, making them great to be around.

Average

By the name, you might assume more people have this personality type than any other, and that’s likely the case. Average people tend to be highly neurotic and pretty extroverted while managing to keep a distance from people around them.

Researchers are unsure whether these findings will become markers of personality assessment in future, but they do stress that there are intricacies to consider, such as the fact that personality types change as we get older and that there are varying levels of neuroticism, extroversion, etc.

If you want to take their test and find out which category you fall into, you can do so here.

Piper Ryan is a NYC-based writer and matchmaker who works to bring millennials who are sick of dating apps and the bar scene together in an organic and efficient way. To date, she's paired up more than 120 couples, many of whom have gone on to get married. Her work has been highlighted in The New York Times, Time Out New York, The Cut, and many more.

In addition to runnnig her own business, Piper is passionate about charity work, advocating for vulnerable women and children in her local area and across the country. She is currently working on her first book, a non-fiction collection of stories focusing on female empowerment.