This short test will determine which of the three tribal characteristics is dominant in your psyche.
When you have discovered which, read on to see what it means!
Mark the following set of 12 questions on a scale of 1-10. Half of them are ‘double edged’ and you should think carefully about the answers, taking both the negative and positive traits into account, since they look at the two opposing sides of your personality. Write the answers down before clicking the ‘discovery’ link at the end; this is a true test of your basic personality and there is little point in cheating!
We provide a full in-depth personality software analysis as part of therapy, however this early version is none the less accurate and will allow you to see how very accurate this style of test can be.
Write your answers on a sliding scale 1-10 with 1- Not At All True – 10- Very True
- How determined/dogmatic are you?
- How easy is it for you to ‘speak your mind’?
- How shrewd/cynical are you?
- How argumentative can you be?
- How adaptable/indecisive can you be?
- How important is it for you to be liked?
- How reliable/over-trusting can you be?
- How easy-going are you?
- How inspiring/over-dramatic can you be?
- How easily can you shrug off or ignore criticism?
- How spontaneous/superficial can you be?
- How impulsively impatient can you be?
Answers
Now to find out just who you really are!
The first group of questions (1-4) assesses Warrior tendencies; the second (5-8) looks at the traits associated with the Settlers, while the third is concerned with the behavior of the Nomadic tribes. Add the ‘scores’ of each group together, giving 3 totals. Add them together and divide that total by 100, calling the answer: ‘T’. Now, if you divide the total of each group in turn by ‘T’, you will find the percentage of each group in your psyche.
20+16+15= 51 then ÷ 51 by 100 = 0.51 answer T
20÷0.51 = 39% – 16÷0.51=31% 15÷0.51=29%
Warrior 39% Settler 31% Nomad 29%
It may be that your answers are close together on at least two of the groups, and where this is so, it means that you have a fair amount of the nature of that/those groups as well. But it is your major group which governs your basic personality.
Well, now you’ve worked out which is your predominant group, and you may have something of a surprise – many do!
Since you will have something of each group in your personality make-up, it’s worth reading all of them; We often work using visualisation, hypnosis, or whatever you feel will work for you to strengthen whatever traits you wish to improve.
Ancient Warriors
The Ancient Warrior tribes would have been physically powerful, but there was more to these people than brute force. The best amongst them became expert planners who prepared for every possibility, quick and perceptive thinkers who could foresee every pitfall and every danger to their plans and schemes. Their need to control and conquer others meant that they had little or no time for compassion or emotion; there was no room for compassion if you wanted to come out tops on the battlefield. In fact they would have been capable of being totally ruthless, completely unconcerned about the feelings of others.
Sensitivity was not in the frame for these people, nor were any ‘airy fairy’ ideas; no-nonsense practicalities were what they needed – tools, plans, method, fool-proof strategy. A means to an end and as quick and forthright as possible. In the earliest days, they were true savages – but they were savages with a shrewd intelligence, who could be devious and manipulative when necessary.
Of course, the modern Warrior does not usually make success by going around killing people and fighting battles and wars, although aggression may come naturally, the physical sense may transpose metaphorically, making a killing, being successful in business for example. There is also devious behaviour in the world of business, as well as tussles for control in all sorts of other situations, including the home and on the road.
The modern Warrior certainly shares one aspect of behaviour with his/her ancestors, an aspect which has hardly changed at all over the centuries. Their major Ancestral memory is the need to be in control and they always possess the modern skills and traits associated with that drive – ready aggression, the ability and desire to manipulate others when necessary, a speed of thought which is second to none, and the desire to take charge.
At a higher level, they may well be a General in an army, perhaps a ‘captain of industry’, or a senior police officer; at the other end of the scale, where inner resources may not be recognised or used properly, we find traffic-wardens, inspectors or various sorts, and security guards. Individuals from the other groups may do those jobs, too, of course, but the warrior type excels at them.
Don’t be misled into the belief that this is necessarily an unpleasant group of people; they are often not, any more so than individuals in the other groups might be, because the more extreme of their warrior characteristics have been ‘watered down’ by the influence of the other groups. It is true, though, that their direct manner can sometimes be intimidating and they are not usually thought of as ‘nice’ people – but they are usually unconcerned about the opinions of others, anyway.
It is easier to view the modern versions of the three personality groups and understand their behaviour patterns if we rename them. So the Warrior becomes the Resolute-Organisational (R-O) character. The Settler becomes the Intuitive-Adaptable (I-A), while the Nomad becomes the Charismatic-Evidential (C-E).
In modern psychology, they are aften referred to, respectively, by the far less accurately descriptive names of: Anal Paranoidal, Oral Schizoidal, Genital Hysteric. These names refer to the behaviour pattern of the time of life where the major traits were beginning to become evident; many believe (I don’t!) that this was when the traits were developing, as opposed to merely becoming obvious.
Your personality profile is as follows:
Resolute: high levels of tenacity and determination.
Organisational: able to plan well and progressively, and bring those plans to fruition.
This personality makes itself known around the ages of 2 – 5 years, the age when the child is learning how to control self, seeking to gain mastery over words, body and environment – with varying degrees of success. Learning that being determined/stubborn sometimes produces a gratifying result and that certain eventualities could be predicted and therefore planned for. This circumstance of CONTROL was more rewarding to the birth predisposition than the earlier Intuitive phase, satisfying to the point where it ‘felt right’ and set the seal on this individual’s behaviour patterns for life.
The R-O personality tends to have a reputation for firmness and a no-nonsense attitude to life. Psychologically stronger, as a rule, than either the Intuitive-adaptable or Charismatic-Evidential personality types, they find no difficulty in taking charge of things and easily attain the respect of others. They are cautious yet rapid thinkers who are unsurpassed at finding – and exploiting – the flaw in any argument. On the negative side, there can sometimes be a problem with cynicism and jealousy and there is not the immediately friendly response generally found in the I-A type. Indeed, there will sometimes be a significant pause before answering any question that is put to them and even then, the answer will often be carefully phrased in such a way to leave as many options open as possible.
Influence of the other groups
(Only applicable where there is a ‘score’ of 25% or more)
Where there is sufficient influence of either of the other groups it is possible that their major characteristics will show themselves from time to time. This is only possible, though, because the very direct and forthright nature of this personality’s own traits tend to overpower the subtle Intuitive-Adaptable qualities, and to stifle what they may view as an apparent lack of control of the Charismatic-Evidential individual.
It is the last group which is the one most likely to be noticeable, especially during argument or confrontation; then, this personality may become very loud, uninhibitedly vindictive, and occasionally violent. At other times the enthusiasm may be channelled into planning areas when there can then be an obsessive need to pursue a plan or an idea which may not be totally sound – the ‘bee in the bonnet’ effect. The R-O/C-E combination is not a particularly happy one for either the individual or people around him/her.
Where it is the Intuitive-Adaptable traits that are in evidence, the apparent sociability may well be double-edged, this individual watching for opportunities or information that may be of use another time. Any persuasiveness tends to show itself more as a tendency for this individual to nag or harangue, while the changeable traits react upon the subconscious in a similar way to the I-A character, except that the mood swing is black, or violent.
Physical Recognition Traits.
This type is the least physically animated of the three groups. There are few changes of face expression during conversation, and few changes of body position. The angle of the head might remain unchanged for longish periods making them reminiscent of an excellent card player, giving away absolutely nothing about inner thought processes. They appear to be – and indeed are – watchful and perceptive, with a steady gaze which may be away from their conversation partner if they are nervous. Any tension or anxiety will show in a taut body shape and a set facial expression leaning towards irritability or hostility.
Positive Traits – General.
Determined and tenacious, goal-orientated.
Unsurpassed organisational abilities.
Excellent planner – short and long term.
Energetic and vigorous.
Calm and unruffled in emergencies.
Independent and self-sufficient.
Perceptive and easily able to spot the pitfalls in a plan/situation.
Sound – not necessarily fast – decision making abilities.
Security-conscious and naturally discreet.
Natural team leader and coordinator.
Quick thinker in discussion or argument, able to easily see and exploit loopholes or advantages.
Methodical approach to planning and follow-up.
Organised approach to problem-solving.
Practical and logical
Accurate assessment of multi-faceted situations.
Good at recalling/using facts and figures.
Negative Traits.
As with the other two groups, these traits are only possible tendencies and are not necessarily evident in any one individual – indeed, it is unlikely that any one individual will show all these traits. The positive traits in this group are very decisive and specific, and this tends to be reflected in the negative.
The R-O character is inclined to force rather than subtlety and in negative mode is usually pedantic, domineering and impatient, and can appear rude and sarcastic. They have a driving need to be in control and can sometimes be quite ruthless in their determination to be so, being very good at manipulating people and events to their advantage – this, of course, may be viewed as positive trait under some circumstances. The two things they hate most are: not getting their own way, and having to admit that they’re wrong. Underneath all these attempts to maintain power and control, there are often secret feelings of self-doubt, leading to cynicism and jealousy. They are prone to phobias, hypochondria and/or obsessive thought or behaviour patterns and sometimes actually take a considerable amount of pleasure in being bad-tempered or unreasonable.
The positively-biased R-O character can easily rise to the top of the success ladder in many forms of business, commerce and industry; those who fail to succeed in overcoming the considerable ferocity of their negative traits can end up totally unsuccessful, friendless and bitter.
Strengths:
Leadership, control, planning and organization, perception/detection, security, discipline, accounting, science and technology, information-handling, practicalities, enforcement. Many barristers, other legal personnel, politicians, and ‘captains of industry’ are in the R-O personality group.
Limitations:
Not good at: taking orders, diplomacy, intuitive work, negotiation, situations requiring tolerance or patience with others.
The R-O character’s greatest chances of success will be found in fields where s/he is able to be in full and direct control of… just about anything.
Ancient Settlers
The Ancient Settler, the collective responsible for farming, crafts and artisan trade. These people were peace-loving, wanting nothing more than to be left to tend their land, rear their families, help and care for others, and develop their artisan skills for trade, working as a collective, in a calm existence. They were community-minded, recognising the worth of sharing tasks and keeping harmony within their group, so they developed an understanding of others and a high degree of tolerance to the differing opinions of those who shared their space. They were also adaptable and resourceful, using whatever nature provided them with to survive, and would use aggression only as a last resort, and only as a defence.
It is impossible to hurry the forces of nature, and this fact led to a patient and often philosophical approach to life and living, developing an ability to tolerate discomfort in the knowledge that there were better times ahead. They were optimists who enjoyed what was, without hankering too much after what might have been.
The modern-day Settler does not have to be an artisan tradesman or farmer of crops or livestock, though some are to this day. True settlers can be frequently found in caring/nurturing professions, or businesses where tact and diplomacy or negotiating skills are important.
Their major Ancestral memories are of adaptability and problem solving. At a higher academic level, you may find Government diplomats, leading therapists or doctors, or experts in animal care and husbandry; at the lower end of academia, they may be care attendants for the elderly or very young, gardeners, or home-builders. Their adaptability can lead to them sometimes seeming weak, but they all have a resilience that can put the other two groups to shame.
Broadly speaking, these are the nice people of the World, responsive, communicative, and usually interested in the welfare of others. They are more often ready to lend a hand when it is needed, and tend to have a cheerful and optimistic outlook – most of the time, anyway. But they can become quite despondent when things go wrong, a throwback, no doubt, to the days when if the crops failed or the animals died – or were killed or stolen – it heralded hard and unpleasant times ahead. For these people are not ‘quitters’; they will stick with a problem or situation until it is either resolved or finished.
Intuitive: a high level of instinct and general awareness.
Adaptable: able to make the best of any situation and turn setbacks to an advantage.
The evidence of this personality starts in the earliest years of life, between birth and about 21/2 – 3 years old, where there is soon the discovery that sensing mother’s mood and responding accordingly produces a pleasant and satisfying degree of attention; also, adapting the developing behaviour patterns to conform with what seems to be required by others produces the same result, irrespective of the environment – which can seem cold and unwelcoming. Every individual is subject to this UNDERSTANDING and KNOWLEDGE-BASED phase of development but only where it exactly fits the birth predisposition will these personality traits continue to dominate.
The I-A personality, being able to fit in with almost any situation, is necessarily a kind of psychological chameleon. The most obvious traits are a pleasant and responsive attitude to others but sometimes with a tendency towards mood swings from happy to miserable – or the other way around – at the slightest provocation, the smallest event. There is also often an ‘all or nothing’ tendency, in which if they cannot have absolutely what they want, they will simply refuse to have any part of it at all and will ‘cut off their nose to spite their face’. Excellent talkers and communicators, they are unrivalled when it comes to having an instinctive grasp of all that is going on around them. They are usually reliable and come over as ‘nice’ people, and, indeed, they usually are.
Influence of the other groups
(Only applicable where there is a ‘score’ of 25% or more)
Where there is enough influence it is more than likely that there will be evidence of the control, determination and cynicism that are the predominating features of the Resolute-Organizational personality. The I-A individual will tend to use these rather subtly, applying his/her instinctive grasp of other people’s thought processes to gain control (often by a well-placed, devastatingly undermining comment) and maybe employing the determination inwardly, developing astonishingly high levels of self-discipline. Any cynicism will tend to be focused around the idea that others are inclined to take advantage of them or in some way ‘pull the wool over their eyes’.
When the enthusiastic, uninhibited, irresponsible tendencies of the Charismatic-Evidential personality come into play here the first two traits tend to emphasize the natural optimism inherent in the I-A individual, while the irresponsibility can sometimes produce an out-of-character display of unreliability under certain circumstances. These circumstances vary from one individual to another but are more often the result of pique: “You’ve made me feel so bad I simply can’t go into work, today,” is a good example.
Physical Recognition Traits
Easy to recognize from their physiology, they are responsive during conversation, with active but not excessive body/head movements, nodding when they should, smiling when they should, any disagreement being expressed politely and tactfully. Their face expressions are reactive to the conversation and there is a tendency to smile often unless they are depressed. Any tension/anxiety present tends to speed up body movements and speech, and increases the visibility of any lines on the face, and there will then be a leaning towards a worried/anxious expression.
Positive Traits
Instinctive understanding of others.
Caring and compassionate.
Unequalled communication skills.
Persuasive and naturally diplomatic.
Learns from error – own and other people’s.
Generally optimistic, cheerful and polite.
Confident and easy-going.
Builds and uses a sound and wide ranging knowledge base.
Tolerant – can see the best in people and get the best out of them.
Powerful instinctive responses – it can seem as though they possess a genuine sixth-sense of the unadmitted attitudes or mood-shifts of others.
Skilled in negotiation, especially where delicacy is needed.
Flexible approach to the plans of others.
Easily able to turn a setback into an advantage.
Able to easily adjust to any environment as necessary.
A natural survivor who can ‘ride’ disappointments or failure whilst maintaining optimism and self-belief.
Negative Traits
There are very many I-A individuals who appear to show none – or very few – of the following traits. They are only tendencies and not necessarily evident.
The complexity of this character can be exasperating to others if they once get into a negative mode of operation. They will suddenly give up – just when they are on the point of success – claiming that they simply haven’t got what it takes, even if other people think they have; feelings of inferiority and inadequacy can lead to problems with decision making and displays of under-confidence or unassertiveness; and they can seem to take far too much notice of the opinions of others, an excessive need to be liked sometimes leading to difficulty in saying “No” when necessary. There is often a dismal failure to recognize the value or level of their own attributes and skills – feelings of failure or of being in some way fraudulent often being evident. They are prone to shyness, depression and/or bouts of debilitating melancholia.
The positively-biased I-A personality will use communicative skills, intuition and knowledge base to become highly effective and influential, often making a success out of helping others to become successful. Those who allow the weak negative traits to dominate are in danger of ending up dejected and ineffective with a feeling that ‘it wasn’t fair’.
Strengths
Teaching, writing, diplomacy, trouble-shooting, counselling, negotiating, sales/marketing, caring… absolutely anything where an understanding of people and their needs and motivation is of paramount importance. Success can be found not only by doing but by being involved in these fields, either directly or indirectly.
Limitations
Because of the adaptable nature, there are not very many things the I-A cannot turn to. There are, though, specific weaknesses with: control (corporate or individual), discipline, planning and organization. Impersonal situations should be avoided if possible.
The I-A character’s greatest chances of success are found where there is no real need to be assertive, authoritarian, or determinedly in control.
Ancient Nomads
These people were following the very earliest instincts of the species. The whole race had been nomadic originally and when the first settlements started being formed, these individuals preferred to remain that way. Not for them the emotional attachments that the Settlers formed, or the hard work and frequent disappointment involved in taming the land; not for them, either, the meticulous planning of the Warrior. They did not want the risks of battle, or the necessity to constantly be on your guard lest those whom you had vanquished should suddenly rise against.
Where the Warriors and Settlers were always in large groups, the Nomads would have travelled in much smaller bands, even sometimes as individuals. They would have been light-hearted people with little or no need to put down roots, enjoying wandering from one place to another, leaving behind any problems or difficulties that might accrue wherever they stopped for a while. Eventually, they became wandering minstrels, entertainers, tinkers and the like, always difficult to pin down, never staying in one guise or situation long enough to be saddled with responsibility. Relying on their wits to survive, they were probably far more independent and charismatic than the other two groups put together.
And the modern Nomad… now there is an interesting personality. They don’t necessarily wander far and wide, although some will be sailors or long-distance lorry drivers. Most of them, though, manage to contain that inherent wanderlust, as well as the dislike of responsibility, but they all have an inbuilt urge to be extremely individual, to be ‘not part of the common herd’. They need change and drama/excitement and usually spend some considerable time attempting to be the centre of attention, enjoying feelings of importance. They are frequently the ‘larger than life’ character, certainly always charismatic and, more often, quite ‘showy’ in their demeanour.
They don’t uncommonly have difficulties in relationships, since they are inclined to be rather more interested in themselves than they are in others! They are often clever and witty, frequently ‘ideas people’ with original and innovative plans and schemes, always with an eye to creating an impression.
At a high level, they are found amongst the ranks of actors, barristers, and financial experts; at the lower levels, they are lesser entertainers, con-men, and salesmen or company representatives.
Physical Recognition Traits
Charismatic: naturally outgoing.
Evidential: what-you-see-is-what-you-get, which is very often a high-profile performance.
This is the late developer, the one who probably learnt more from his/her school friends than from parents – unless one or other of the parents is also a C-E personality – the major personality traits being formed from about 5 years old onwards. This, of course, is the period when the child learns about the joys and fun of mixing with other children from different backgrounds, children who s/he can set out to impress or be impressed by. Even if s/he has siblings, this is different, NEW AND EXCITING… and it instantly pleases the birth predisposition far more than either of the other two stages of development ever did. This individual will embark on a life in search of excitement, new things, new experiences…
The C-E personality in its purest form tends towards extremes in many things. They enjoy life to the full and can give much pleasure to a great many people along the way – except for the occasions when they get carried away with frivolity and excitement, loving to shock others with loud and embarrassing behaviour and being amazed when someone complains about their excesses. This exuberance tends to show itself quite often and can be quite exhausting/tiresome for their companions. Most of the time, though, this personality is tempered by more sensible traits from the other two groups, producing an individual who can often uplift others with their irrepressible sense of fun and enthusiasm.
There appear to be far fewer individuals with a noticeably dominant C-E personality group than either of the other two. Many people would say this was just as well!
Influence of the other groups
(Only applicable with a ‘score’ or 25% or more)
This group really needs an offsetting influence for the individual to be able to cope with the more boring and mundane aspects of living – and earning a living. Fortunately, this is likely to be the case, because the C-E character, whilst inherently noisy, tends to easily absorb influences. This is especially true, of course, where its own percentage is not particularly dominant.
The most likely group to make its effects felt is the Resolute-Organizational, probably because of its lack of complexity. The result is sometimes an inspiring combination of flamboyance and industry, when there can be surprisingly good and reliable work with quite serious matters – if the industry is innovative. Financial, utilitarian and legal areas seem to be particularly favoured.
Less comfortable is the combination with the Intuitive-Adaptable personality, because of the conflict between patience and the need for instant gratification. The sociable outlook of this type then combines with the natural enthusiasm and exuberance of the C-E and can produce a back slapping, laugh-a-minute individual. The changeability is revealed as a tendency to pout and suddenly ‘throw a wobbly’ – noisily – when things aren’t to his/her liking. Persuasiveness, when it shows, will often be manifest as a continual ‘whinge’ or grumble about some imagined restriction, or an exaggeration of one, that has been placed upon him/her. Without the modifying influence of the Resolute-Organizational group, this combination can sometimes seem annoyingly childish to many.
Physical Recognition Traits
Animated behaviour is the most obvious trait here but, as with most things in this group, it tends to be exaggerated. There are excessive movements of the head and face, the body, and especially the hands, and they can liven up any gathering with sparkling wit, if they’re not required to be serious. Often quite generous and outgoing, and almost exclusively extroverts, they are always on the search for something new and exciting to do. They adore telling jokes and stories with lots of noise and action – and do it well. Under any sort of pressure, they tend to become louder and more expansive in their gestures and movements.
Positive Traits
Enthusiasm for new projects.
Lively and alert approach to life and work.
Inspirational in outlook and communication.
Unsurpassable in publicity/promotion matters.
Exceptionally confident and outgoing.
Uninhibited in all areas of life.
Quick eye for creating an image.
Skilled at finding novel and ingenious solutions to problems.
Uncomplicated personality – what you see is what you get.
Exceptional presentation skills.
Ready wit – especially in response to others.
Natural abilities in entertaining/amusing others.
Natural abilities to inspire/uplift others.
Negative Traits
As with the I-A and R-O personalities, these negative traits will not necessarily be apparent.
The biggest problem for the C-E personality is in maintaining application of effort and as a result they can appear unreliable or fickle. They themselves are unconcerned about this, however, relying on sheer force of personality/charisma to see them through and usually getting away with it; they may even boast about it. There is a childish need for instant gratification – they cannot abide waiting about for things to happen – and a distinct tendency to flamboyantly exaggerate their successes. Their relationships are usually distinctly one-sided and they are masters of tactlessness and bad taste. Under pressure, they are prone to dramatic illnesses – paralysis, apparent blindness, ‘black-outs’, memory-loss, etc. – which may or may not be genuine.
The positive C-E personality can make a success out of anything where an outgoing personality and true Charisma – with a capital ‘C’ – are needed. S/he has trouble if things become in any way ‘heavy’ and may revert to negativity – and noisiness – very quickly.
Strengths
Promotional situations, direct sales, entertainment, new or novel products or schemes… anything where image and presentation or enthusiasm are important. Many actors and ‘super-salespersons’ have a high degree of C-E personality.
Limitations
Not usually very good at: routine/mundane matters, planning, self-discipline, minute or anything that needs patience or sustained concentration… but see ‘Influences of the other groups’, above.
The C-E personality’s greatest success chances are to be found where there is no need for the natural flamboyance of the type to be restricted in any way.