Test questionnaire by G. Eysenck EPI (adapted by A. G. Shmelev)

Self-esteem test

The final test authored by Professor Eysenck “Self-assessment of mental states.” This technique is intended for self-assessment of the personal state of the psyche on four scales: Rigidity, Aggression, Frustration, Anxiety. (see table for full description).

The test will ask you questions describing various mental states. Depending on how much this condition is inherent in you, select the answer: “Often”, “Rarely”, “Never”.

After passing the test, you will receive the sum of points on all 4 scales + the corresponding transcript.

Good luck with your testing and good results!

Treatment

In psychiatry, neuroticism is not considered a pathological disorder. However, the neurotic himself may feel the need for psychological correction during periods of emotional instability. Pharmacology relieves anxiety well. However, the pills can reduce the level of neuroticism only for the duration of their effect.

The best long-term results can be achieved with a combination of psychotherapy and medication. In the fight against neuroticism, the Unified Protocol, developed by a prominent American specialist in the field of psychiatry, David Barlow, within the framework of the cognitive-behavioral approach, has proven itself well.

Neuroticism is not a mental disorder, but simply a feature of the human psyche. Anxiety, worry and uncertainty are characteristic of most people in a stressful situation, this is neuroticism. A test taken together with a psychologist will help determine whether a particular person’s indicators are exceeded.

Considering that neuroticism is an internal conflict, it is necessary to conduct competent psychotherapy. Identify the reason why a person reacts so sharply to stressful agents, help him fight his own emotional instability and teach a neurotic to accept himself with all fictitious and non-fictional flaws.

Aromatherapy and relaxing massage have a good effect. In the autumn and spring, it is recommended to take a course of vitamins that have a beneficial effect on the nervous system.

Much attention should be paid to the daily routine - regular rest, a full 8-hour sleep and walks before bedtime.

Drug treatment of neuroticism is carried out only if the clinical picture significantly reduces the quality of life of the sick person. Sedatives, tranquilizers, antidepressants, mood stabilizers are prescribed depending on the prevailing symptom.

There are times when excessive emotionality begins to have a detrimental effect on a person’s life. For example, those around him may refuse to communicate with such people, since being with them becomes unbearable, their behavior is repulsive. Then the neurotic needs treatment and help from a qualified psychologist or psychotherapist.

Famous test author

Hans Eysenck (HJ Eysenck)

- world-renowned scientist, psychologist and psychotherapist. In 1916 he was born in Berlin. He later left Germany due to disagreement with the Hitler regime.

Hans Eysenck's main areas of scientific research were in the field of personality theory, intelligence research, social attitudes, behaviorist genetics and behavioral psychotherapy. He treated the study and research of psychology as a natural science and criticized humanistic and psychodynamic approaches for their subjective nature.

His psychological test for extraversion, neuroticism and psychoticism, created by Hans Eysenck together with his wife Sibylla in 1968, became quite famous for his work.

History of the test

Eysenck's research in terms of temperament types dates back to the first half of the 20th century. The first questionnaire he compiled appeared in 1947 and was aimed at identifying neuroticism. The questionnaire was compiled by borrowing statements from other tests. You either had to agree with the statements or not.

After this, a second test questionnaire appeared in 1956. It already examined two traits: neuroticism and extraversion/introversion. It also added points to determine the level of sincerity of the subject. The next questionnaire consisted of a larger number of questions, but did not differ in assessment criteria, and only in the last version of the test did another criterion appear - psychoticism, which reveals signs of inadequacy.

Often, during a routine examination using the Eysenck test, they resort to the third form of the questionnaire without assessing psychoticism. To identify temperament, extraversion, neuroticism and the level of sincerity are sufficient.

Diagnostics

There is a so-called neuroticism test. It includes 24 questions that must be answered “Yes” or “No”. Up to 11 positive answers are considered the normal limit, more than 12 is already confirmation of the presence of a neurotic condition. A high level of neuroticism is when the answer to most of the questions asked was “yes.”

The Eysenck test will be able to better convey a person’s internal experiences and preferences. The test contains 57 questions that will help determine your temperament and stress resistance.

Neuroticism and extraversion are the most common combination, which is important when adjusting the psycho-emotional background

Description of scales

Extroversion - introversion

Characterizing a typical extrovert, the author notes his sociability and outward orientation of the individual, a wide circle of acquaintances, and the need for contacts. He acts under the influence of the moment, is impulsive, quick-tempered, carefree, optimistic, good-natured, and cheerful. Prefers movement and action, tends to be aggressive. Feelings and emotions are not strictly controlled, and he is prone to risky actions. You can't always rely on him.

A typical introvert is a quiet, shy, introjective person who is prone to introspection. Reserved and distant from everyone except close friends. Plans and thinks about his actions in advance, does not trust sudden impulses, takes decisions seriously, loves order in everything. He controls his feelings and is not easily angered. He is pessimistic and highly values ​​moral standards.

Neuroticism

Characterizes emotional stability or instability (emotional stability or instability). Neuroticism, according to some data, is associated with indicators of nervous system lability. Emotional stability is a trait that expresses the preservation of organized behavior and situational focus in normal and stressful situations. Characterized by maturity, excellent adaptation, lack of great tension, anxiety, as well as a tendency to leadership and sociability. Neuroticism is expressed in extreme nervousness, instability, poor adaptation, a tendency to quickly change moods (lability), feelings of guilt and anxiety, preoccupation, depressive reactions, absent-mindedness, instability in stressful situations. Neuroticism corresponds to emotionality and impulsiveness; unevenness in contacts with people, variability of interests, self-doubt, pronounced sensitivity, impressionability, tendency to irritability. A neurotic personality is characterized by inappropriately strong reactions in relation to the stimuli that cause them. Individuals with high scores on the neuroticism scale may develop neurosis in unfavorable stressful situations.

The results on the extraversion and neuroticism scales are presented using a coordinate system. The interpretation of the results obtained is carried out on the basis of the psychological characteristics of the individual corresponding to one or another square of the coordinate model, taking into account the degree of expression of individual psychological properties and the degree of reliability of the data obtained.

Psychoticism

This scale indicates a tendency to antisocial behavior, pretentiousness, inappropriate emotional reactions, high conflict, lack of contact, self-centeredness, selfishness, and indifference. According to Eysenck, high scores on extraversion and neuroticism correspond to a psychiatric diagnosis of hysteria, and high scores on introversion and neuroticism correspond to a state of anxiety or reactive depression. Neuroticism and psychoticism, in the case of the severity of these indicators, are understood as a “predisposition” to the corresponding types of pathology.

Eysenck scale

Hans Jurgen Eysenck was one of the most famous scientists and psychologists of the 20th century; he lived and conducted scientific activities in Great Britain. He tended to view an individual on a scale consisting of three main levels - extraversion, introversion and neuroticism.

G. Eysenck believed that extroverted people are directed outward, at people around them and external events, while introverts are directed inward, and he considered neuroticism as synonymous with anxiety, tension, increased excitability and depression. Neuroticism was not considered a pathology, but it also cannot be classified as a normal state.

The study of such phenomena as extraversion, introversion and neuroticism was carried out using a special Eysenck questionnaire. The Eysenck test is intended to be carried out both individually and in a group. The results put into the table are decisive. On their basis, a conclusion is made about whether the subject is an extrovert, introvert or neurotic (with increased or decreased levels of neuroticism). Based on the assessment of the results obtained, appropriate recommendations are given for the possibility of behavior correction.

Whether an individual falls into one group or another, according to the Eysenck questionnaire, is determined by the genetic properties of the individual. Their severity is explained by the speed of development of conditioned reflexes in the brain, their stability and the uniformity of the processes of excitation and inhibition in the central nervous system (CNS). Thus, in accordance with the data obtained, people susceptible to extraversion, introversion and neuroticism differ in personality characteristics and individual characteristics. And such differences were found on more than 50 points. We need to look at them in more detail:

1. Extrovert

He has difficulty developing conditioned reflexes. He has a high pain threshold during physical impact, but is absolutely intolerant of monotony and monotony. He constantly tries to switch from one object of attention to another. The personality traits of an extrovert include:

• impulsiveness;
• tendency to exaggerate;
• insufficient level of self-control;
• desire for leadership;
• riskiness;
• wit;
• cheerfulness and openness.

Such people may be unstable in relationships and may be negligent in the workplace.

1. Introvert

He does not like situations that can bring him out of his state of calm. An introvert is peaceful, often thinks about the future, tries to carefully plan further actions and plans, tries to live according to a certain schedule, adhering to order. Traits of an introvert:

• rationality;
• thoughtfulness;
• self-absorption;
• difficulties in communicating with unfamiliar people;
• obligation.

Such a person rarely shows aggression towards others and controls his emotions and feelings.

The Eysenck Neuroticism Scale places people with high levels of neuroticism at one extreme. Neurotics are characterized by unstable emotional state, anxiety, and imbalance. They are easily excitable, their mood can change several times a day, and their autonomic nervous system is labile.

A low level of neuroticism defines a person as a person with a stable psyche, balanced, decisive, and calm.

After conducting a study using the Eysenck questionnaire, one can notice that indicators of extraversion, introversion and different levels of neuroticism are bipolar concepts that are independent of each other.

It should be noted that most of the people tested showed results located in the middle between opposite poles. Not many respondents had indicators set far from the center, at the poles.

What does the resulting index mean?

If you passed only one test, write down the number of points you received and the corresponding IQ level that the program gave you and find its value in the table.

Classification of temperament types according to Eysenck

The Eysenck test reflects the connection between an individual’s two-phase personality model and a model reflecting the main four types of temperament: choleric, melancholic, sanguine and phlegmatic. This correspondence looks like this:

1. A sanguine person (corresponds to a stable extroverted titus according to Eysenck's classification) is able to adapt to new conditions in the shortest possible time. The emotional experiences of such a person are superficial, affects arise easily and often change. Needs a constant supply of “fresh” impressions and is restless. Sometimes undisciplined, both in everyday life and at work. Monotonous, long work causes severe discomfort and rejection.
2. A choleric person (an unstable extrovert according to Eysenck) is easily excitable and impetuous in action. Movements are swift and energetic, affects are clearly expressed. Being carried away by work, they become more exhausted than necessary, because they spend too much energy on their actions. Hot-tempered, irritable, not always able to control his emotions.
3. Phlegmatic (stable introvert according to Eysenck's typology) - new forms of behavior are developed slowly, but are very stable. They are slow and sedate in their actions, rarely lose their temper, and are not prone to affective reactions. He is persistent and persistent in his work, does not waste his energy, but approaches the task responsibly and thoroughly. In relationships, he is predictable, stable, and moderately sociable. Depending on the life situation, he will be either constant, thorough and self-possessed, or lethargic, indifferent, weak-willed, unemotional.
4. A melancholic person (an unstable introvert in accordance with the same typology) has difficulty concentrating, feelings are deep and stable with weak expression. Intense emotions often cause an inhibition reaction (“give up”). Movements are often slow and speech is quiet. In communication he is shy, reserved, timid. In a calm state he can be a good worker. In an unfavorable situation, he becomes withdrawn, anxious, suspicious and fearful. They are prone to intense internal experiences, and often in circumstances that are not worth such attention.

Why is a temperament test needed?

In order to learn to understand yourself and people, determine the reasons for their behavior and actions, and sometimes even predict them, it is important to know what the human psyche is. In this sense, studying temperament helps a lot

As already mentioned, it is given from birth, does not change throughout life and is a combination of various properties of the nervous system. A person can more easily make a choice in favor of a profession, understand the actions of other people and establish relationships with them, and also better understand himself and his needs if he knows his temperament.

What the test will tell you

The Eysenck test will help you determine the stability of your nervous system, understand which of the properties is your main feature - introversion or extroversion; and will also reveal your level of conflict, a possible tendency to violate norms of behavior and asociality, and, if you look at it globally, a tendency to certain mental illnesses that are directly related to these qualities. Also, the PEN questionnaire can reveal your main type of temperament.

Neurophysiological explanation of neuroticism

Self-control - what is it in psychology, definition

The level of neuroticism in an individual primarily depends on the innate characteristics of his sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, which are functionally opposed to each other.

The sympathetic nervous system is activated in stressful situations. Causes what is called in psychology the “fight or flight” response. Leads to increased blood pressure, increased sweating, increased breathing and heart rate. The parasympathetic nervous system eliminates the effects of the sympathetic nervous system and returns the body to a normal state.

The degree of severity of neuroticism depends on the innate characteristics of the nervous system

When, due to the innate characteristics of the body, the sympathetic nervous system works more actively, excitation occurs easily and quickly, and inhibition is delayed over time. As a result, a person acquires neurotic traits.

This is interesting

Interesting fact! The studies that formed the basis of the future test were conducted on neurotic soldiers.

Extraversion

• Typical extrovert. Open and sociable, he feels the need to be in society, where he is highly active. Positive emotions predominate, control of feelings is reduced.
• Typical introvert. A closed person with little contact with people who prefers the inner world to the outside world. He loves introspection, which is why he is serious when making decisions, prefers not to take risks. The emotional background is directed towards the negative, but it is very difficult to anger an introvert.

Neuroticism

• Sustainability. Characterized by the ability to adapt to various changes, to achieve one’s goal without reacting to surrounding stimuli. Such a person rarely worries or fears the future. Characterized by reduced emotionality.
• Lability. Poor level of adaptation to change, as well as constant worry and fear. Expressed in rapid mood swings and poor control of feelings. It is easy to lead such a person astray from the intended path.

Test procedure and results

The questionnaire consists of 57 statements, with each of which you can agree, disagree, or skip. Certain blocks of questions are aimed at assessing one criterion, but in order to assess sincerity and exclude intentional answers, all groups are mixed together. For each answer, points are awarded: “Yes” - 2 points, “No” - 0 points and “Don’t know” - 1 point. After this, based on knowledge of which statement characterizes which feature, scores are calculated for each criterion, that is, for extraversion, neuroticism and sincerity.

The test results are interpreted using a coordinate system, where the vertical axis is neuroticism and the horizontal axis is extraversion. The system looks like this:

In this way, a certain type of temperament is determined. However, Sukhodolsky proposed some clarification for this test, which is illustrated in the following system:

In the interpretation of the results according to Sukhodolsky, the type of temperament is determined more accurately, since the system contains borderline states.

The most commonly used results scale is developed by Eysenck, based on which the results should be perceived as follows:

• Choleric – strong, active, unbalanced;
• Sanguine – strong, active, balanced;
• Phlegmatic – strong, inactive (inert), balanced;
• Melancholic – weak, inactive, unbalanced.

Neuroticism or neurosis?

Neurosis is a complex phenomenon, and research suggests more than one explanation. However, it is different from neuroticism.

In basic terms, neurosis is a disorder involving obsessive thoughts or worry, while neuroticism is a personality trait that does not have the same negative impact on daily life as anxiety. In modern non-medical texts, the two concepts are often used with the same meaning, but this is imprecise.

The term "neurosis" is rarely used by modern psychologists because they consider it outdated and vague.

Characteristics of neurosis

Scientists do not agree on what neurosis is, although there are common features that have been studied for centuries.

Emotional instability: According to the German-British psychologist Hans Jürgen Eysenck (1916-1997), neurosis is defined by emotional instability.

No interference with rational thinking or ability to function: More recently, neurosis refers to mental disorders that do not interfere with rational thinking or a person's ability to function, even though they may cause distress.

caused by unpleasant experiences: According to Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), the famous Austrian neurologist, founder of the discipline of psychoanalysis, neurosis is a strategy for coping with difficulties caused by unsuccessfully suppressed emotions from past experiences.

These emotions overwhelm or interfere with the current experience. He gave an example of an overwhelming fear of dogs that could result from being attacked by dogs at an early age.

Conflict between two mental events: Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961) - Swiss psychiatrist, founder of analytical psychology. He believed that neurosis is a collision of conscious and unconscious events in the mind.

These positions regarding neurosis confirm that it is considered as a disease and is usually discussed with the aim of identifying the cause and treatment of the disease. Although a personality test can confirm that a person suffers from neuroticism, it is not a disease or condition and cannot be “cured.”

Interpretation of results

MPI

Extraversion:

• from 32 to 48 - “pure” extrovert
• from 16 to 32 - ambivalence, uncertainty
• from 0 to 16 - “pure” introvert

Neuroticism:

• from 32 to 48 - pronounced neuroticism
• from 16 to 32 - average score
• from 0 to 16 - emotional stability

Lie:

• more than 20 - absolute unreliability of the results
• from 16 to 20 - a dubious result
• from 5 to 15 points - reliable result
• 4 points or less - questionable result

EPI

Extraversion:

• over 19 - bright extrovert,
• over 15 - extrovert
• 12 - average value,
• less than 9 - introvert,
• less than 5 - deep introvert.

Neuroticism:

• more than 19 – very high level of neuroticism,
• more than 14 – high level of neuroticism,
• 9 - 13 - average value,
• less than 7 – low level of neuroticism.

Lie:

• more than 4 - insincerity in answers, which also indicates some demonstrative behavior and the subject’s focus on social approval,
• less than 4 is normal.

EPQ

Extraversion:

• more than 15 - “pure” extrovert
• from 7 to 15 - ambivalence, uncertainty
• from 0 to 6 - “pure” introvert

Neuroticism:

• more than 16 - pronounced neuroticism
• from 8 to 16 - average score
• from 0 to 7 - emotional stability

Psychoticism:

• more than 10 - working with people is contraindicated
• from 6 to 10 - there is a tendency towards emotional inadequacy
• from 0 to 5 - absent

Lie:

more than 10 - unreliable result

Take the test now

Having passed the temperament test, your inner self will appear before you in a new light. You will determine what your character really is, and this will help you find the most successful path in your life. Knowing the temperament of your family and friends will help you feel calm with your family and surrounded by work colleagues.

Also, employers are increasingly offering to take a temperament test during the employment process to identify exactly the kind of future employee who will be able to better adapt and get along in the workforce.

Take the temperament test right now on our website! Thanks to saving test results and registration, you can always re-read the results and they will not be lost!

Causes

The condition in question occurs when a person’s internal needs are not taken into account and are not satisfied. We are talking here not only about food, water, sex, but also about social “needs”. For example, about the desire to dominate. Some people feel more successful when they have power over others. The reasons for such “delusions” of grandeur must be sought in childhood - as a rule, the opinions of such children were not taken into account, and a different point of view was imposed.

Relatives usually perceive their relative or friend as an extremely excitable and emotional person, but they do not even realize that this is a psychological problem.

What is temperament?

Temperament is one of the most important innate characteristics of every person. It is he who determines the level of activity, energy, rhythm of life and emotionality, thanks to which a person forms his daily routine, chooses a profession and builds relationships with other people. There are several different questionnaires to determine the type of temperament, developed by different scientists, but the Eysenck test is rightfully considered the most effective.

The temperament tests of many authors are basically highly simplified and abbreviated versions of his questionnaire, and are characterized by greater error.

Childhood

Hans Jürgen Eysenck (German: Hans Jürgen Eysenck; March 4, 1916, Berlin - September 4, 1997, London) - British scientist-psychologist, one of the leaders of the biological direction in psychology, creator of the factor theory of personality, author of a popular intelligence test, founder of clinical psychology in Britain, the idea of ​​genetic predestination.

His mother, Ruth Werner, shone on silent film screens under the pseudonym Helga Molander, and his father, Anton Edward Eysenck, combined singing and acting. At the age of three, he was left in the care of his maternal grandmother, because his parents separated. At that time he had complete freedom of action, and pranks were treated leniently. Thus, since childhood, Hans was famous for his rebellious behavior, which ultimately led him to success.

In his youth, he was interested in astrology and studied astrological charts in search of patterns that would contribute to the development of talent. He corresponded with many famous astrologers and even compiled charts for some Reichstag representatives, sending them by mail. In these letters he warned of complete collapse, but received no response.

Eysenck tests

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Eysenck tests

Eysenck's IQ tests were developed by the English and German psychologist and psychiatrist Hans Jürgen Eysenck.

Brief biography and scientific works

Hans Eysenck was born on March 4, 1916 in Berlin into a family of actors. He began receiving his education in private schools, planned to study physics, and was interested in astronomy. After the Nazis came to power, Eysenck left the country and moved to Great Britain where he entered the psychology department of the University of London. After graduating, he worked as an experimental psychologist at Mill Hill Hospital.

In 1946, Eysenck founded the Department of Psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry at Maudsley and Beardslem Hospitals, headed it and directed it for almost 10 years. At this time, he worked with soldiers in hospitals and studied their mental state, identifying signs of neuroticism.

Since 1955, Eysenck was a professor of psychology at his Alma Mater, where he began to develop testing principles for measuring intelligence levels and began research on intellectual and mental differences between representatives of different races, which were unacceptable for more tolerant states. In addition, he creates a three-factor theory of personality.

Eysenck used the terms “extrovert” and “introvert” that are familiar to us today to characterize the degree of emotional reactions and arousal in response to stimuli, as well as a person’s ability to extinguish these reactions. And adding stability and neuroticism to these characteristics, he formulated the main personality factors by which one can judge the characteristics of a person and his tendency to various mental disorders.

In addition, using the example of numerous practical studies, together with his colleagues, Eysenck proved the influence of the factors he identified on a person’s choice of profession, predisposition to accidents and crime, level of aspirations and achievements in sports, career, and sexual behavior.

Test features

At the end of his life, Eysenck returned to the search for criteria for assessing intelligence and its relationship with hereditary factors and upbringing.

The tests he compiled are also called national tests, since they evaluate abilities from different angles: using verbal, digital and graphic material. Thus, if you are not very good at solving anagrams, but you are strong in mathematics, then the test will objectively show the level of your intellectual abilities.

There are three more special tests - for visual, mathematical and verbal abilities, with the help of which you can evaluate the work of the mind and intelligence even more fully and thoroughly.

Eysenck's classic group tests have 40 questions, you need to answer them within 40 minutes - a timer will help you navigate the time. The additional tests contain 50 questions, but you will only have 30 minutes to solve them.

The test is intended for adults from 18 to 50 years old, as in the classic IQ test, the result is measured relative to the average level of 100 points, a result of 70 most likely indicates mental retardation.

Try to take Eysenck's intelligence tests when you are at your best, in a good mood and rested. In this case, the result will not be distorted for the worse.

Good luck!

What is neuroticism

Neuroticism in psychology is not a mental disorder, not a disease. It should not be identified with neurosis. Symptoms of neuroticism can also be observed in a healthy person, being specific personality traits. Its three main components are a feeling of vulnerability, insecurity, increased excitability and excessive emotionality.

In the broadest sense of the word, neuroticism is an inability for emotional self-regulation, an inability to cope with one’s negative feelings. A person with a high level of neuroticism is often completely overwhelmed by pessimism, fear, irritation and anxiety in response to the most insignificant events. At the same time, he is completely unable to use these states to resolve the problems that have arisen.

In fact, any event, even a positive one, will cause negative experiences in a neurotic. For example, finding a marriage partner will be overshadowed by fears about his possible loss, concluding a profitable business contract will be marred by a premonition of failure and the resulting financial difficulties.

Note! The experiences of a person with severe neuroticism often do not correspond to reality. The emergence of negative emotions is associated not only with real undesirable events, but also with general pessimism and a low level of adaptability of his psyche.

A neurotic person tends to exaggerate the scale of the disaster

At the physical level, neuroticism can manifest itself in an increase in the number of somatic complaints (migraines, pain in the heart and stomach, sleep disturbances, attacks of limb tremors).

The meaning of the scales in the Eysenck test

Neuroticism

The “neuroticism” scale determines the personality trait expressed by emotional instability, anxiety and depression. Moreover, all these features manifest themselves both in ordinary daily activities and in stressful situations.

The presence of high values ​​on this scale does not necessarily indicate the presence of neuroses in the subject; it allows for the possibility of their progression under prolonged stress and depression. If this test nevertheless reveals a high level of neuroticism in a person, such an individual is likely to be impressionable, impulsive, insecure, and with an unstable emotional component.

Psychoticism

This is a personality trait that is characterized by a number of behavioral characteristics, such as rich fantasy and vivid imagination, the ability to associate, originality, a subjective view of the world, detachment from reality, egocentrism and many others. High scores on the psychoticism scale can indicate increased conflict in a person, inappropriate behavior and inadequate emotional reaction to stimuli, and a tendency toward antisocial behavior.

Extraversion

Extraversion is a character trait that presupposes the orientation of a person and his experiences towards the outside world, other people, and interaction with them. A typical extrovert is sociable, impulsive in behavior, optimistic about the future, and at the same time ready to take risks.

Introversion

Introversion defines closed people who are immersed in their experiences, emotionally restrained, prefer to be at a distance from others, while having a very narrow circle of friends. An introvert tries not to take risks, trying to think through every step without making spontaneous decisions. Able to restrain impulsive manifestations, pessimistic.

Types of temperament

Taking into account these characteristics, classical types of temperament are distinguished: sanguine, phlegmatic, melancholic, choleric.

Thus, the original EPI methodology, aimed at determining the type of temperament, is accessible to anyone and is easy to interpret.

Choleric

It has the highest excitability, but at the same time a low level of inhibition of the nervous system. This makes him active, impulsive, sometimes hot-tempered and aggressive with constant mood swings. Speaks quickly with active gestures and facial expressions. Almost unable to control his emotions.

Melancholic

This species also has poor ability to control its emotions. They are extremely susceptible to external stimuli, very sensitive. But unlike choleric people, they are unsociable, withdrawn, conservative, and do not like change.

Sanguine

He is balanced and able to control his emotions. Able to quickly change activities, plans, interests, quickly adapts to new circumstances. If he is interested in any activity, he can be very active. The sanguine person is sociable, cheerful, but to some extent frivolous.

Phlegmatic person

People of this type are distinguished by amazing calm. It is very difficult to piss them off, to upset their emotional balance. Because of this, they have low ability to adapt, to engage in work and switch activities. From the outside it may seem that they are slow. Show restraint.

Empathy, neuroticism, extraversion

ANNOTATION

The article presents the results of a study of the level of development of empathic abilities, emotional stability and the degree of expression of extraversion-introversion in adolescence. Neuroticism increases the rational and emotional components of empathy, but prevents the creation of a favorable atmosphere of communication. Extraversion contributes to the development of general empathic abilities, while introversion relies on attitudes in empathy.

ABSTRACT

The article describes the results of a research on empathy development and emotional stability development level and degree of manifestation of extraversion/introversion in adolescence. Neuroticism increases rational and emotional components of empathy but inhibits creating a favorable environment for communication. Extraversion facilitates developing of empathy in general. Introversion relies on empathy elements of the mindset.

The emotional sphere of a person in adolescence is characterized by greater stability of feelings and emotions than in the previous age stage; intimate and personal communication acquires a certain significance. A special ability to reflect the emotional state of the interlocutor is empathy - one of the leading abilities of interpersonal communication, the ability to participate, sympathize, and perceive situations from the position of another person. Special emotional means for achieving such a goal are: empathy and compassion [1, p. 169]. The psychophysiological characteristics of extraversion-introversion, as well as the level of neuroticism, can have a significant impact on the formation of general empathic abilities in adolescence.

The purpose of the study was to study the level of development of empathic abilities, the degree of emotional stability-instability and extraversion-introversion in adolescence. The respondents of the study were 34 boys and 34 girls, respectively; the average age of the participants was 18 years; a total of 68 people were interviewed.

Research methods: G. Eysenck’s questionnaire to determine temperament [6, p. 176]; method for diagnosing the level of empathic abilities by V. V. Boyko [6, p. 673]; mathematical methods of statistical data processing (χ2-Pearson test, Spearman r-test).

Using G. Eysenck's questionnaire (research results are presented in Table 1), psychological properties of young people such as neuroticism, emotional stability, extraversion and introversion, which define a certain personality type, were studied. An additional “lie” scale (the average value on this scale is 1.11±0.47) allows us to make a preliminary conclusion about the reliability of the results obtained during the study.

The “neuroticism” scale (the average value on this scale is 13.0±5.1) records emotional-volitional stability or affective excitability, stability-instability, characteristic of a person to varying degrees, depending on the autonomic nervous system responsible for behavior in stress, aggression or anxiety.

Anxiety, as a mental property, is determined by the tendency to experience anxiety as an emotional state that arises in a situation of uncertain danger and is characterized by a low threshold for its occurrence [3, p. 260].

Table 1.

Average indicators of parameters according to G. Eysenck’s questionnaire

Note: * – differences in distributions according to Pearson’s χ2 test are statistically significant with p≥0.05; ** – differences in distributions according to Pearson’s χ2 test are statistically significant with p≥0.01.

In percentage terms: 56% of respondents are closer to the indicators of “neuroticism”, which characterizes the emotional instability of the individual, while 44% of respondents have values ​​on the scale corresponding to “emotional stability”, which contributes to sufficient control of their affective manifestations.

Such individuals easily adapt to new operating conditions, quickly join a new team, navigate the situation quite freely and adequately, develop an optimal strategy for their behavior and socialization, and also have high emotional stability [4, p. 186].

The “extraversion-introversion” scale, in the concept of G. Eysenck, refers to the basic personality traits and characterizes many mental properties from sociability-withdrawal, optimism-pessimism to arrogance-shyness and impulsiveness-deliberation in actions. In percentage terms, the number of extroverts and introverts among respondents, respectively: 48% to 52% (average value on this scale 12.0±4.0). The tendency of introverts to carefully plan, regulate and clearly organize activities, control their emotional manifestations, etc. indicates the inertia and rigidity of mental processes.

Unwillingness or inability to rebuild one's own pattern of activity, persistent inertia of given attitudes, stereotypical thought processes, insufficient flexibility of behavior - all these are signs of mental rigidity of the individual. By identifying the following types of rigidity, researchers use basic mental processes as criteria: emotional – thereby denoting emotional or affective rigidity; cognitive – cognitive or intellectual rigidity; volitional – motivational or behavioral rigidity [2, p. 109].

The level of development of empathic abilities in adolescence was studied using the method of the same name by V. V. Boyko. This technique allows us to determine the severity and degree of use of a number of criteria and necessary perceptual components in empathic communication. The results of the study are shown in Table 2.

Table 2.

Average parameters according to the method of V.V. Boyko

Legend: OUEmp – general level of empathy; RKEmp – rational channel of empathy; ECEmp – emotional channel of empathy; IKEmp – intuitive channel of empathy; USEmp – attitudes promoting empathy; PSEmp – penetrating ability for empathy; IDEmp – identification in empathy (hereinafter these symbols are used).

Note: * – differences in distributions according to Pearson’s χ2 test are statistically significant with p≥0.05; ** – differences in distributions according to Pearson’s χ2 test are statistically significant with p≥0.01.

The highest value on the scales, as can be seen from Table 2, is the channel of attitudes in empathy (average value 3.6 ± 1.2), which characterizes the unconscious or conscious attitude of the individual to act, act in a certain way, stereotypically understand the situation or communication partner. On the one hand, such attitudes help to stabilize an individual’s behavior and free them from the need for voluntary control of behavior and activity in standard, ordinary situations. On the other hand, given a low level of criticality, there is a danger of insufficient consideration of possible changes in circumstances and the complexity of adaptation processes.

When conducting a correlation analysis, the channel of attitudes in empathy showed a negative correlation with the extraversion-introversion scale, confirming the previously stated provisions about some stereotypicality and rigidity of the mental processes of introverts. To carry out the correlation analysis, Spearman's r test was used (critical values ​​for N = 68: at p<0.05 from r=±0.25; at p<0.01 from r=±0.33). The results obtained are presented in Table 3 (coefficient symbols in the text).

Table 3.

Correlation connections of the studied parameters

Note: * – correlation is statistically significant with p < 0.05; ** – correlation is statistically significant with p < 0.01.

Thus, in adolescence, the higher the indicators of attitudes in empathy, the lower the indicators of extraversion-introversion, providing introverts with rigidity of emotions and stereotypic behavior, and extroverts with impulsive actions and lability of mental processes.

The rational and emotional channels of empathy are less pronounced (average value on the scales 3.4±1.4 and 3.4±1.8, respectively). The rational channel expresses the independent conscious orientation of a person’s cognitive sphere towards the perception of the essence of the interlocutor or there is an interest in the personality of the communication partner. For the emotional channel of empathy, the process of entering into resonance of emotions with the interlocutor, comprehending his emotions through personal emotional experience is of greater importance.

A “very low level” is typical for 15% of respondents; it is manifested by emotional coldness and callousness towards the experiences of others or an inability to understand the current state and demonstrated feelings of another person, sometimes even a close one. Low abilities for sincere empathy, reluctance to see the problems of others, concern exclusively with one’s own dominant emotions create obstacles to the effectiveness of communication [5, p. 287].

Both the rational channel of empathy and the emotional channel, as a result of correlation analysis (Table 3), reveal a statistically significant connection (with p<0.05) with the “neuroticism” scale of G. Eysenck’s technique. This suggests that with an increase in the level of emotional-volitional instability in a personality characteristic, the level of the emotional component in empathic communication increases, and the possibilities of sensory reflection of the communication partner improve. In the rational component of empathy, with an increase in the level of neuroticism, the spontaneity of perception and cognition of the interlocutor or the attractiveness of a specific communication situation is more pronounced.

Indicators of the intuitive channel (average value 3.0±2.0) and identification in empathy (average value 3.0±1.4) are expressed to the least extent in this study. The ability to foresee the situation and behavior of interlocutors, as well as understanding their emotional states from the position of the interlocutors themselves, likening oneself to them, is not expressed in adolescence and no significant correlations with the indicators of G. Eysenck’s technique have been identified.

Penetrating ability in empathy (average value 3.0±1.3), which allows creating the necessary atmosphere of empathic communication, showed a negative statistically significant correlation with indicators of “neuroticism” (with p<0.05). With an increase in the degree of emotional instability, impulsiveness of behavior, and poor control of one’s immediate reactions, the possibility of warmth and sincerity in communication significantly decreases; an increase in neuroticism contributes to the obstacle to creating a favorable atmosphere in a dialogue situation.

Thus, extroversion in adolescence increases the level of development of general empathic abilities; thanks to sensitivity, extroverts quickly make friends with new acquaintances, understand and accept other people quite well, communicate easily in a large company, reading the moods of others. In empathic communication, introverts rely on predetermined attitudes and established patterns of behavior - showing sincere and programmed attentiveness to others, and their reluctance to improvise behavior forces them to use stereotypical reactions and standard actions.

Neuroticism increases the rational and emotional components of empathy, analyzing or synthesizing the information received, relying on arbitrary perception, boys and girls are able to share the emotional state of the interlocutor.
Emotional stability allows you to create a favorable, friendly atmosphere of communication, combined with the ability to listen and encourage the desire to speak out in your interlocutor, showing sincere attention to him. Bibliography:

1. Valiullina E.V. Accentuations of character and empathy // Modern concepts of the development of science: collection of articles of the international scientific and practical conference: in 3 parts. 2022. pp. 169-170.
2. Valiullina E.V. Gender characteristics of mental states in adolescence // Scientific and methodological electronic journal Concept. 2016. No. 11. pp. 106-112.
3. Valiullina E.V. Motivation and psychological properties of the individual // In the collection: Scientific and technological progress: current and promising directions for the future, collection of materials from the III International Scientific and Practical Conference: in 2 volumes. 2016. pp. 260-263.
4. Valiullina E.V. Psychological and emotional-activity adaptability among students of different courses of a medical university // In the collection: Modern World. Modern education. Problems, development trends, approaches: Materials of the VI All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference. 2011. pp. 184-187.
5. Valiullina E.V. Empathic abilities in adolescence // Scientific almanac. 2016. No. 12-3 (26). pp. 284-287.
6. Fundamentals of Psychology: Workshop / Ed. - comp. L. D. Stolyarenko. – 7th edition. – Rostov n/Don: Phoenix, 2006. – 704 p.

History of creation

The first MMQ personality questionnaire

MMQ

(Maudsley Medical Questionnaire, from the name of the clinic where Eysenck worked) - a technique proposed in 1947. It was intended to diagnose neuroticism. The questionnaire consists of 40 statements with which the subject is asked to agree (yes) or disagree (no).

Statements were selected from questionnaires already known by that time, and the author relied on clinical descriptions of neurotic disorders. The MMQ was standardized on the basis of a survey of two groups: “neurotics” (1 thousand people) and “normal” (1 thousand people). A detailed analysis of the responses received for each MMQ statement (taking into account differences in psychiatric diagnoses) showed that using the questionnaire, two types of neurotic disorders can be differentiated - hysterical and dysthymic. Based on these results, G. Eysenck suggested that the answers to the MMQ statements will make it possible to draw a conclusion about the position of the subject on the scale of another personality dimension postulated by this researcher - extraversion - introversion. This began work on the construction of a new personality questionnaire. As a result, the MMQ did not find any use in psychodiagnostic research.

Second MPI Personality Inventory

MPI

(Maudsley Personality Inventory) is a personality questionnaire published in 1956. It consists of two internal scales: extraversion-introversion and neuroticism, with 24 questions for each scale. Later, 2 empty “masking questions” and 20 questions were also added to form a scale of the subject’s sincerity. There are three answer options: Yes (2 points), Don't know (1 point) and No (0 points). Practical use of MPI has shown significant discrepancies between the data obtained and the author's theoretical predictions (especially in clinical groups).

Third Personality Inventory EPI

EPI

(Eysenck Personality Inventory) was published in 1963 and contains 57 questions, 24 of which are aimed at identifying extraversion-introversion, 24 others - at assessing emotional stability-instability (neuroticism), the remaining 9 constitute a control group of questions designed to assess the sincerity of the subject , its relationship to the survey and the reliability of the results.

G. Eysenck developed two versions of this technique (A and B), which differ only in the text of the questionnaire. The instruction, key and data processing are duplicated. The presence of two forms allows the psychologist to conduct repeated research.

Adapted in Russia by A.G. Shmelev.

EPQ Personality Questionnaire Four

EPQ

(Eysenck Personality Questionnaire) is the result of further research work by Hans and Sibylle Eysenck. The EPQ was created in 1968 based on the PEN (Psychoticism, Extraversion, and Neuroticism) model proposed by the authors. Thus, a third factor, “psychoticism,” was added to the two-dimensional structure of the previous questionnaires, without changing the original “two-axis concept.

The EPQ consists of 91 statements, to which a further 10 “empty” statements can be added (items 92 to 101).

Content

• 1 Description of the technique
• 2 History of creation 2.1 The first MMQ personality questionnaire
• 2.2 Second MPI Personality Inventory
• 2.3 Third EPI Personality Inventory
• 2.4 EPQ Fourth Personality Questionnaire

Temperament test

The Eysenck Temperament Test or “EPI Personality Inventory” is a method for assessing personality based on three indicators: introversion, extraversion and neuroticism. The author understood these scales as innate indicators of the central nervous system, on which the character and temperament of any person depend.

Over the course of 20 years, the author refined his method several times. As a result, three versions of this methodology were developed: MMQ and MPI (40 questions) - outdated and EPI (57 questions) - updated modern. It is the latest version that we offer you to go online on our website.

Principles of assessment

As a result of passing the test, you can obtain data on the scales of neuroticism, extraversion, introversion and by marking the corresponding point on the graph - determine your type of temperament: choleric, melancholic, phlegmatic, sanguine.

• Inroversion-extraversion is a characteristic of temperament that determines the dependence of a person’s activity or reaction on external (extraversion) or internal (introversion) impressions.
• Neuroticism is a characteristic of temperament that characterizes the speed with which mental processes occur, as well as human reactions (gestures, facial expressions, rate of speech).

You can see a detailed table with descriptions of all four psychological types of temperament here.

Temperament types

Based on this test, the following types of temperaments are distinguished:

• Choleric. This is an extrovert with increased emotional lability. Despite his aggressiveness and irritability, he is an optimist;
• Sanguine. Also an extrovert, however, there are no mood swings. Such a person is cheerful and sociable. Solves any problems without much energy expenditure;
• Melancholic. Introverted, but emotionally unstable. He is pessimistic and is the complete opposite of a choleric. They react passively to a stressful stimulus, tearfulness is noted;
• Phlegmatic person. Also an introvert, but with a stable emotional background. He is stable, peaceful, unhurried. He reacts weakly to failures, “doesn’t want to waste his nerves on it.”

It should be noted that temperaments never occur in their pure form. In modern society there are many variations; with the help of the Eysenck test, only the dominant component can be identified.

1. Extroverts. Such people are usually focused on the external environment. They are distinguished by intolerance to monotony, impulsiveness, high response to pain, desire to be a leader, risk-taking, negligence, insufficient or absent self-control.

2. Introverts are people focused on their inner world. An introverted personality is the complete opposite of an extrovert. Such a person does not like to leave his comfort zone, does not take risks and lives according to his own schedule. Unlike an extrovert, he is more rational and very scrupulous in resolving issues, and experiences difficulties communicating with strangers and those whom he has known not so long ago. An introvert is distinguished by his ability to keep his feelings and emotions under control, as well as his lack of aggressiveness.

3. Neurotics - people who are in a constant state of anxiety, excessive excitability and tension, prone to depression.

Theoretical basis

G. Eysenck, having analyzed the materials of a survey of 700 neurotic soldiers, came to the conclusion that the entire set of traits that describe a person can be represented through 2 main factors: extraversion (introversion) and neuroticism.

The first of these factors is biopolar and represents a characteristic of a person’s individual psychological make-up, the extreme poles of which correspond to the personality’s orientation either to the world of external objects (extraversion) or to the subjective inner world (introversion). It is generally accepted that extroverts are characterized by sociability, impulsiveness, behavioral flexibility, great initiative (but little persistence) and high social adaptability. Introverts, on the contrary, are characterized by unsociability, isolation, social passivity (with sufficient persistence), a tendency to introspection and difficulties in social adaptation.

The second factor - neuroticism (or neuroticism) - describes a certain property-state that characterizes a person in terms of emotional stability, anxiety, level of self-esteem and possible autonomic disorders. This factor is also bipolar and forms a scale, at one pole of which there are people characterized by extreme stability, maturity and excellent adaptation, and at the other - an extremely nervous, unstable and poorly adapted type. Most people are located between these poles, closer to the middle (according to the normal distribution).

The intersection of these 2 bipolar characteristics allows us to obtain an unexpected and rather interesting result - a fairly clear assignment of a person to one of the four 4 temperaments.

The third factor - psychoticism - was added in the fourth version of the questionnaire and is a characteristic of a tendency towards antisocial behavior and inadequacy of emotional reactions. This factor is not bipolar; its high values ​​may indicate difficulty in social adaptation, although there is no clear justification for the legitimacy of identifying this category, and it is disputed by many foreign researchers.

Improved techniques

In 1963, the EPI (Eysenck Personality Inventory) questionnaire was proposed - a new technique, the questions of which, in the amount of 48 pieces, are intended to diagnose the “neuroticism” and “extraversion-introversion” scales, and 9 add up to the “lie” scale - with its help it is determined a person’s desire to “embellish” himself (a total of 57 points were identified).

The EPI methodology was developed based on responses received from more than 30 thousand people, which is several orders of magnitude greater than the number that was involved in the creation of MMQ and MPI.

The test uses two versions with different questions, but identical in form and meaning (to be used twice).

Six years later, Hans and Sibylle Eysenck offer the EPQ, a personality questionnaire that diagnoses not only the previous two described scales and the “lie” scale, but also psychoticism. Its high level is associated with the severity of special conditions in which the presence of inadequate mental reactions (psychosis) is possible. The test involves passing 101 questions.

The name of Eysenck is also known due to the fact that he proposed a method for identifying self-assessment of mental states, during which the presence of a prevailing psychotype is determined - frustration, anxiety, aggressiveness and rigidity.

Currently, the EPQ is not very popular, and not only because the previous test includes 57 questions - almost half as many as the present one. Many foreign researchers argue that the psychoticism scale cannot have a scientific basis, and the results obtained during experiments are often contradictory.

Neuroticism

Neuroticism is a human personality trait that manifests itself in restlessness, anxiety, and emotional instability.

Neuroticism in psychology is an individual variable that expresses the characteristics of the nervous system (lability and reactivity).

Those people who have a high level of neuroticism hide internal dissatisfaction and personal conflicts under the external expression of complete well-being. They react to everything that happens too emotionally and are not always adequate to the situation.

A high level of neuroticism is characterized by a person’s strong sensitivity to externally occurring events. Negative emotions and unpleasant sensations arise in connection with negatively colored events, pessimistic mood and lack of adaptation of the individual.

A high level of neuroticism is manifested by complaints of headaches, poor sleep, mood swings and mental restlessness.

A neurotic person can be recognized by the way she behaves, for example, she is always worried about whether electrical appliances are turned off, how securely the door is locked, she is afraid of public transport, or large crowds of people.

A neurotic person exaggerates worries about his appearance, especially about attractiveness, and has obsessive thoughts about adultery or possible financial difficulties.

A small child feels defenseless and helpless in comparison with adults, and this experience can only become stronger in the future, then such a person, being mature, continues to experience inferiority in comparison with others. It is precisely this neuroticism in psychology that is the cause of the possible manifestation of an inferiority complex.

Due to guilt, the level of neuroticism increases

Such symptoms of neuroticism may seem minor at first, or may not be noticed at all. If the necessary measures are not taken in time, for example, corrective measures for neuroticism, the person’s condition will worsen, as will the quality of his life

A high level of neuroticism leads to the fact that an individual’s life activity becomes unbearably painful for him; he is haunted by empty fears and constant anxieties that take away all his strength, which is why various ailments appear, mostly psychosomatic.

A person with a high level of neuroticism feels personal internal discomfort, which calls into question his pleasant and calm pastime with other people. A neurotic personality can make life difficult for both themselves and those around them.

High levels of neuroticism are not normal, but they are not pathological either. But, in the presence of unfavorable conditions, it can turn into neurosis, and there are cases when it even reaches psychosis.

Neuroticism is not a mental disorder at all, but one of the features of the psyche. Worry, uncertainty, anxiety are inherent in many people in a stressful situation. To find out if you have an excess level of neuroticism, you need to take a special test together with a psychologist.

Treatment of neuroticism is necessary in situations where increased emotionality significantly complicates life, relationships with others, and leads to worries for no reason. If certain forms of behavior prevent a person from functioning and living fully, they need to be worked on.

A person with a neurotic character experiences stress much more intensely than others and reacts to external stressful stimuli. In a stressful situation, a neurotic person behaves restlessly, he is anxious, irritable. He reacts to such little things that individuals with a different type of character would not even pay attention to.

Neuroticism is a personality trait that complicates the return of a person’s psyche to a calm and adequate state.

Neuroticism has a close connection with a person’s emotionality, so there is a tendency for highly emotional people to develop various fears, phobias, concerns or obsessive states.