Emotional Stability (score 49)

Refers to overall calmness and emotional security.

Emotionally stable individuals are generally composed and confident, even under stressful situations. They are not prone to extreme or inappropriate displays of emotion, and experience little guilt, anxiety, depression, and self-consciousness in comparison to their less stable counterparts. Emotional instability suggests insecurity and nervousness, as well as excess worry and self-doubt. Deb reports experiencing fairly stable emotions, although this is not always the case. At times, this inconsistency may interfere with her ability to handle the stresses inherent in everyday life, but most of the time, she can handle them quite well.

Emotional Reactivity (score 50)

Refers to the tendency to experience strong or extreme emotions.

Deb is fairly well balanced emotionally. She sometimes experiences emotional extremes and when she does, she expresses herself appropriately. She is usually in an even emotional state, and is only somewhat affected by her circumstance and the emotions of the people around her.

Resiliency (score 50)

Ability to cope with adversity.

Deb is somewhat resilient. While she doesn't bounce back from hardship easily, she also doesn't become stuck in problems or adversity for good. She can usually pull herself out at the end, with or without support.

Anger Command (score 50)

Ability to control and regulate anger.

Deb experiences an average level of anger in most situations. While she is not too quick to anger, she does become annoyed with the things that would infuriate almost anyone. People who are unable to control their temper are often unpleasant to be around; therefore, this trait also affects Deb's score for the Agreeableness factor.

Impulse Command (score 46)

Refers to tendency to act on thought rather than impulse.

Deb is able to resist temptation and control her impulses to a degree. While she rarely acts without thinking at all, she doesn’t always consider the consequences thoroughly. She is able to delay gratification somewhat, but it is not her first instinct to do so. Being impulsive can make others uncomfortable; therefore, this trait also affects Deb's score for the Agreeableness factor.

Self-confidence (score 46)

Refers to belief in oneself and one’s abilities.

Deb's self-confidence falls in the mid-range. This means that although she may not accept herself wholeheartedly, she generally doesn’t feel inadequate. She has pride and confidence in some of her abilities, but feels self-doubt in other areas.

Reaction to Stress (score 50)

Ability to effectively cope with pressure and trying situations.

While Deb generally maintains her composure and productivity under stress, it is not an ideal condition for her. Difficult or extreme circumstances may not diminish her functioning, but they don’t enhance her abilities either.

Independence (score 50)

Degree of autonomy a person desires/exhibits.

While Deb is generally comfortable standing on her own, she sometimes solicits advice or approval from others when making decisions. She may not depend on others excessively, but acceptance from those around her is still important to her.

Assertiveness (score 50)

Ability to express needs, desires and disagreement in a tactful manner.

Deb is somewhat assertive. She generally tries to stand up for herself and assert her rights, but isn’t always effective doing so and may sometimes give up too easily.

Optimism (score 48)

Refers to the ability to see the brighter side of things.

Deb is able to see both the good and bad side of any situation or event. She has a realistic view of human nature and does not always expect the best from people. Since it can be difficult to be around someone who only sees the negative side of things, this trait also affects the Agreeableness score.

Extroversion (score 50)

Refers to an outward and interactive personal orientation.

Deb scored somewhere in the middle between introversion and extroversion, which means that she draws characteristics from both ends of the spectrum. Sometimes, she needs time to herself, preferring to think things through on her own. Other times, she enjoys interacting with others. Overall, she is likely a fairly outgoing person who occasionally opts for solitude. She likely needs a balance of time on her own and time with others because she can become a little overwhelmed if she ignores the introverted side of herself.

Sociability (score 50)

Refers to the disposition to seek out the company of others.

Although Deb enjoys the company of others, she also doesn’t mind spending time on her own. She is comfortable socializing in both large and small groups. She enjoys being around big crowd on some occasions, but likely wouldn’t want to be around people all the time.

Self-disclosure (score 50)

Refers to the desire and willingness to open up to others.

While Deb is fairly comfortable with sharing information about herself, she doesn't necessarily begin conversations or offer to divulge her thoughts to every person she meets. Although she is generally comfortable opening up to others, she likely prefers going to know them a little before doing so.

Approachability (score 50)

Assesses how amicable a person comes across as to others.

Deb is relatively approachable, pleasant and friendly, and doesn’t have too much difficulty building a rapport with others. For the most part, she is well liked and accepted by those around her.

Orientation (score 50)

Determines whether an individual prefers turning to others during tough times, or would rather deal with them on his or her own.

Deb strikes a good balance between leaning on others when necessary and relying on herself. She knows that there are some problems that would best be solved with other people’s input, and she seldom hesitates to go to them when needed. At the same time, she can also work through problems by herself.

Openness (score 51)

Refers to interest in novel experiences, including exploring new places, gaining knowledge, and thinking outside the box.

Openness refers to interest in experience and includes, among other things, exploring new places, gaining knowledge, and thinking “outside the box”. Deb is sometimes open to other viewpoints and trying new methods of solving problems, but this is definitely not always the case. She seems interested in expanding her horizons to a certain extent but also enjoys the comfort of the familiar and comfortable.

Perspective (score 50)

Ability to see people and the world from different perspectives.

Deb is a somewhat realistic person. She can see beyond her personal experience but may sometimes fail to see the overall big picture and understand other people’s opinions. She occasionally perceives herself as a victim of circumstance.

Curiosity (score 50)

Takes into account the desire and willingness to seek out the unknown.

Deb is a somewhat curious person. She is moderately inquisitiveness about people and the world in general, and is sometimes willing to experiment and seek out new things and experiences. There are some occasions however, when she prefers predictability.

Interest in Knowledge (score 50)

Refers to the degree to which a person actively seeks out new information.

Deb is informed about the world to a degree. While she has at least surface knowledge of many topics, she probably has an area or two of expertise. She may not always pursue further information on a given topic, but she does enjoy adding to her knowledge. She can appreciate concepts and complex ideas, and is often content to learn about topics that cross her path.

Creative Thinking (score 50)

Refers to the ability to think outside the box.

Deb is somewhat of a creative thinker. While she often sticks to prescribed norms, she is known to occasionally step “outside the box” and surprise others with original thoughts and ideas. She is practical and resourceful, and able to improvise when necessary.

Individuality (score 50)

Takes into account the extent to which a person is willing to conform.

Deb is neither a conformist nor a total individualist. She follows social norms and conventions to a degree, but enjoys expressing her individuality in areas that are important to her.

Adaptability (score 56)

Refers to the ability to deal with change.

Deb is somewhat amenable to change. She is often willing to adapt her plans based on new information, and is fairly flexible with new people and situations.

Agreeableness (score 51)

Refers to general good-naturedness and likeability.

Deb is relatively agreeable. People generally find her approachable and forgiving, but this is not always the case. Agreeableness refers to general good-naturedness and likeability. While she is generally pleasant to interact with, if she is tired, frustrated, or simply not in the mood to interact with others, she may sometimes be edgy. High scorers are cooperative, honest, compassionate, and forgiving. In addition, they are trusting and sincere, and avoid conflict. A high scorer in agreeableness is generally a kind and sympathetic person who is well liked by all. A low score in agreeableness often indicates skepticism and antagonism. The low scorer is more competitive than cooperative, and may be hardheaded and unforgiving.

Trust (score 50)

Refers to the degree to which a person is willing to place his or her faith in others.

Deb is a somewhat trusting person. While she knows that there are deceitful people out there, she does her best to control her cynicism and give everyone the benefit of the doubt. She may not trust everyone she meets, but she does have faith in the abilities of others and believes that most people are fundamentally good.

Authenticity (score 52)

Assesses whether an individual is up-front and sincere.

Deb's results indicate that she is generally frank and sincere and rarely manipulates others to keep positive social relations. Although she may sometimes hold back if she thinks someone wouldn’t be able to handle the truth or if she really believed it would do more harm than good, there are occasions when she is a little too honest. While she is being authentic, it likely negatively affects her overall agreeableness.

Willingness to Compromise (score 60)

Ability and desire to accommodate other people’s needs.

Deb dislikes confrontation and is willing to compromise a lot to achieve peace. She is compliant and yielding under conflict, and has no problem deferring to others. She works toward agreement, even sometimes subordinating personal needs to those of the group in order to achieve harmony. She is willing to integrate her ideas with those of others, to meet people halfway, and to exert the effort to accommodate others' needs, even if it means abandoning her own ideas or wants altogether.

Egoism (score 50)

Tendency to place personal interests before other peoples’.

While Deb sometimes feels that she is better than others, she makes an effort to treat people as her equal. She will sometimes bring up an accomplishment she is especially proud of during conversations, but will try to do so in a sensitive manner.

Kindness (score 60)

Willingness and desire to help others.

Deb is a caring, nurturing, and supportive person who often performs acts of kindness for others. She concerns herself with the well-being of others, and is warm-hearted, generous, and sympathetic. She cares for others and it shows in her behavior.

Aggressiveness (score 67)

Assesses whether a person is hostile or tends to be much more peaceful and passive.

Deb often comes off as too aggressive when dealing with others. She may express hostility and threaten those around her. She uses power inappropriately or excessively and may seem intimidating or offensive.

Competitiveness (score 50)

Extent to which a person desires to be the best.

Deb is a moderately competitive person. While she is not driven to be number one, she does enjoy winning and strives for success. She may not create competition, but will rarely back out of a competitive situation.

Dominance (score 50)

Extent to which a person desires to be in control.

While Deb likes having things done her way, she appreciates alternatives and doesn’t always feel the need to be in control.

Charm (score 50)

Ability to draw and win over other people.

While Deb is generally seen as charming by others, this doesn’t come naturally to her. She is able to build a rapport with people with some effort. Others tend to appreciate her charisma.

Conscientiousness (score 50)

Refers to a competency and productivity orientation.

Deb scored in the mid-range in this factor, which means that she is generally reliable, disciplined and careful in her work, but this is not always the case. Conscientiousness refers to a competency and productivity orientation. While she is generally fairly responsible and reliable, she cannot be counted on all the time. It could be that when she is stressed out or busy, she may not be as organized and reliable as she usually is. A natural tendency towards being responsible, organized and rule-abiding has been shown to be predictive of success in a variety of areas.

Striving (score 50)

Refers to the extent to which a person strives for change and perfection.

Deb has a balanced drive to succeed and better herself. She is generally not the type to settle for the status quo, and does strive to achieve some of her ambitions. While she does her utmost to be the best in some areas of her life, there are others where she is perfectly satisfied with the way things are.

Diligence (score 50)

Ability to set goals and follow through with them.

Deb is somewhat diligent. While she doesn't always place great importance on reaching a goal, she generally tries to complete her tasks or projects. She isn’t always entirely focused, but she is dutiful and feels pride when she completes an assignment.

Organization (score 48)

Ability and willingness to maintain an orderly environment.

While Deb is not completely methodical and orderly, she does incorporate systems into some areas of her life. Although time management, punctuality, and planning are not her primary concerns, she makes an effort to live a somewhat organized life.

Dependability (score 50)

Extent to which a person is reliable.

Deb is somewhat reliable. Although she usually keeps her promises, there have been times when she failed to live up to her word. Overall however, she is generally a dependable person, and can usually be counted on to do what she says she will do.

Attention to Detail (score 50)

Ability and willingness to focus on and notice details.

While Deb doesn’t always catch every single detail, she is fairly meticulous. She does her best to tie up all loose ends before declaring a project complete, and may sometimes catch errors that others missed.

Efficiency (score 50)

Ability to work in a resourceful manner.

Deb is a relatively efficient person. Although she doesn’t always complete her tasks in the most time-effective manner, she does seek to implement shortcuts into her day. She may have difficulty prioritizing on some occasions, but she generally doesn't waste too much time, energy, or material.

Self-discipline (score 50)

Ability to monitor one’s behavior.

Deb is moderately self-disciplined. While she is usually able to overcome reluctance for unpleasant tasks, there are times when she fails to motivate herself to accomplish her goals. She sometimes allows barriers such as fatigue and boredom to push her off track.

Validity (score 100)

Assesses the validity and reliability of a person's responses on the test.

Deb's results appear to be an accurate reflection of her skills and traits. She did not try to respond in a socially-desirable manner, and did not answer the questions in a careless manner.

Impression Management (score 0)

Assesses whether Deb responded to questions in a socially-desirable manner.

This scale assesses to what degree the results on the test are distorted or manipulated. Many people will try to present themselves in a better light, especially if the stakes are high. Deb's answers are compared to responses obtained from a large sample of the general population. When someone systematically selects socially desirable responses that are rarely endorsed by others, there is a good reason to believe that a positive self-presentation bias is at play. A score that is suspiciously high may indicate that Deb was lying, which may invalidate the whole test.

There was little or no indication in Deb's results to suggest that she was either lying or trying to present herself in a favorable light. Therefore, her results can be seen as accurately reflecting who she is.

Acquiescence (score 0)

Assesses whether Deb responded to the questions in a careless manner.

The Acquiescence scale assesses whether a test-taker was simply agreeing with the test’s statements and not paying close attention. According to Deb's results, there is no indication that she answered the test questions carelessly. This means that she took the time to read and respond to each question carefully. Although this does not necessarily ensure the honesty of her answers, it does show that she took the test seriously.

While there are no rights and wrongs when it comes to personality, some people do find that life is easier for certain personality types. People who are highly conscientious tend to be more successful at work, while emotionally stable individuals tend to be happier and have more stable relationships. Open-minded individuals may find it easier to adjust to new situations, and agreeable individuals obviously have relationships that are more satisfying. Whatever Deb's personality type, she could benefit from the tips below.

• Pay attention to gut reflexes. When we experience a strong emotion, it’s important to take a minute to think about appropriate methods of expression. Consider whether your reaction is suitable to the situation, or if you are overreacting. While the experience of strong positive emotions - elation, passion - can be exhilarating, consider the distress that could result from strong negative emotions. It is likely that the situations that provoke depression or fury require only disappointment or annoyance. Slowing down the expression of emotions will provide time to assess the appropriateness of our reaction, and allow us to avoid saying or doing things will later be regretted.

• Learn to bounce back quickly from hard times.Resilience tends to be weakened by poor physical health. Our immune system and emotional maintenance system are both impaired by exhaustion, poor eating and sleeping habits, harmful addictions, and a lack of regular exercise. By improving physical health resilience will grow. A second method of increasing resilience is referred to as cognitive restructuring. Positive self-talk ("I'll never get over this," vs. "This is awful, but one day I'll laugh." can bolster hardiness.

• Take control of anger before it controls you. There are several ways to improve anger command. The first is simple - reduce the stress in your life. If you feel tense, you are liable to boil over and blow up when an insignificant issue pushes you over the edge. In this event, your anger is probably inappropriately strong for the situation. Try to decrease chronic stress or consider finding a suitable outlet for your tension (e.g. exercise). The introduction of a short relaxation period each day may also serve to decrease stress. Secondly, consider the effectiveness of your expressions of anger. While it may be cathartic to let out anger when it strikes, remaining calm and reasonable is usually more conducive to positive results. Excess anger can also result from poor communication. Jumping to conclusions and poor listening skills are two familiar culprits in angry misunderstandings. Try one or several of the ideas listed above and see what happens the next time you get angry.

• Boosting self-confidence. The secrets to self-confidence are self-acceptance and acknowledgement of personal strengths. Most people who lack self-confidence fail to acknowledge their successes, choosing to focus only on their failures. This is why it’s important to congratulate yourself for each success you obtain, no matter how small. Secondly, if possible, try to avoid people who bring you down, and bear in mind that a lot of blame and criticism often comes from within, so watch your inner critic!

• Dealing with stress. Strategies for dealing with stress depend on both the person and the nature of the stressor. Research has demonstrated that stress is often created not by the stressor, but by the reaction to the stressor. Therefore, the first step is to identify negative reactions and consider alternatives. The second is to develop a set of coping skills for difficult situations. Choose an activity that never fails to relax you, and make time for it when you feel stressed out. Identify several people you can count on for either emotional or practical support, and don't be shy to call them when necessary. Make a conscious effort to keep your personal and professional lives separate. Instead of allowing family problems to upset you and ruin your day at work, use the time away as a vacation from the problems at home, and focus on your work. With a good set of coping skills at your disposal, any stressor can be minimized.

• Socializing – too little or too much? Interaction with others can be one of life's greatest pleasures, but too much socializing can leave no room for personal time. If you are constantly with others, you may start craving some alone time. Schedule a night to yourself in the same manner that you would schedule time with someone else. Make it a date! Use your time alone to relax, reflect, meditate, or catch up on work. If, on the other hand, your social life is faltering because you are shy or know few people, consider volunteering, taking a class, or doing a sport or activity that you enjoy, but in a group setting. This is a great way to spend time with others, allowing you to take your time to open up and overcome your shyness.

• Self-disclosure is an important tool for building relationships, both personal and professional. Many people find it difficult to open up about themselves, but there are several advantages. Self-disclosure is a way of gaining information about another person, and learning how that person thinks and feels. Once one party engages in self-disclosure, it is implied that the other will as well. Mutual disclosure deepens trust in relationships and helps people understand one another. That being said, self-disclosure is not appropriate in every situation. If you are concerned about your personal information, be sure to share only with people you trust!

• Give a little, get a little. Compromise is a necessity in any sphere of life - personal, professional, etc. Someone who is not very compromising may experience difficulty during group decision-making. An inability to compromise can make a person seem arrogant and controlling. Remember, everything in moderation. Meeting someone halfway does not imply giving in completely, but rather suggests maturity. The next time you are in involved in a conflict situation, experiment with compromise, and consider the results.

• Sometimes, being too good can be bad. While altruism is an admirable quality, consider directing a bit of generosity toward yourself. If you are worn out, treat yourself to an appointment with the masseuse. If you feel under-stimulated, treat yourself to that new movie or novel you've had your eye on. In the long run, subordinating our own needs will only make it all the more difficult to meet the needs of others.

• Looking for the silver lining in every cloud. A pessimistic attitude rarely yields positive results. To increase optimism, force yourself to find the good side to absolutely everyone and everything. While this may seem ridiculous at first, eventually, you will begin to automatically reflect on the positive side of things. Illness in the family? Brought the family closer. Breakup with your partner? More time with friends. Annoying coworker? Opportunity to improve your interpersonal skills.

• While healthy competition can add to your quality of life, too much competitiveness can be counter-productive. Consider which of your goals are most important, and keep your competitiveness to those areas. Winning is not always the be-all and end-all, and activities are so much more enjoyable when we can relax the pressure to be the best all the time.

• Lean on me. Dependability is an important trait in both your personal and professional lives. In order to avoid letting people down, be sure that you understand exactly what is expected of you. Once you know exactly what is expected, plan when you will take care of your obligation, and avoid obstacles that will keep you from fulfilling your responsibility. If you promised to pick up friend at five, do not schedule a four-thirty meeting. Plan for traffic, and leave on time. If your presentation is Friday morning, don't begin Thursday night and end up delivering an incomplete presentation. Do your research early, and complete your presentation in time for a couple practice rounds on Thursday night. Dependability is primarily a matter of planning and awareness.

• Flexibility is a key component of every relationship. If you are interested in becoming more flexible, the first step is to open your mind and become more tolerant. A dislike for constant change is understandable, but it is also a fact of life and must be treated as such. Rather than perceive change as disruptive and intrusive, consider a more positive angle. While change in plans can be annoying, it can also be exciting and lead to unexpected benefits. While a new coworker can be a disruption, it can also be a chance to make a new friend! Not all change is positive, but a positive outlook will make all the difference. In a situation to which you are unable to adapt successfully, try to incorporate an element of your old situation. This will help you feel more comfortable in the unfamiliar situation.

• Expressing individuality. While it is safe to stick to social norms, it can be exhilarating to step outside of convention and express one’s individuality. If you are interested in developing a more distinct personality, or are fed up with tradition, try marching to your own drumbeat. Pick up a new activity that you've always been interested in but hesitant to try. Buy that item of clothing that caught your eye even though it isn't exactly the height of fashion. While it can be initially disconcerting to stand out in a crowd, it can be really fun to embrace your individuality!