HEXACO Personality Inventory

"We began construction of the HEXACO Personality Inventory in the year 2000. Our aim was to assess the six personality dimensions found in lexical studies of personality structure as conducted in various languages... More recently, we modified the HEXACO-PI to produce the HEXACO Personality Inventory-Revised (HEXACO-PI-R)... HEXACO-PI-R assesses four facet-level scales within each of the six factors; in addition to these 24 facets, the interstitial Altruism versus Antagonism variable is a 25th facet scale. The HEXACO-PI-R therefore contains 200 items in its full-length version (HEXACO-200), or 100 items in its half-length version (HEXACO-100)."

You can do the test free here at the University of Calgary.

Honesty-Humility | <10th percentile | 3.39

"Persons with very high scores on the Honesty-Humility scale avoid manipulating others for personal gain, feel little temptation to break rules, are uninterested in lavish wealth and luxuries, and feel no special entitlement to elevated social status. Conversely, persons with very low scores on this scale will flatter others to get what they want, are inclined to break rules for personal profit, are motivated by material gain, and feel a strong sense of self-importance."

Emotionality | <10th Percentile | 2.62

"Persons with very high scores on the Emotionality scale experience fear of physical dangers, experience anxiety in response to life's stresses, feel a need for emotional support from others, and feel empathy and sentimental attachments with others. Conversely, persons with very low scores on this scale are not deterred by the prospect of physical harm, feel little worry even in stressful situations, have little need to share their concerns with others, and feel emotionally detached from others."

Agreeableness | 10-50th Percentile | 4.28

"Persons with very high scores on the Agreeableness scale forgive the wrongs that they suffered, are lenient in judging others, are willing to compromise and cooperate with others, and can easily control their temper. Conversely, persons with very low scores on this scale hold grudges against those who have harmed them, are rather critical of others' shortcomings, are stubborn in defending their point of view, and feel anger readily in response to mistreatment."

Conscientiousness | 10-50th Percentile | 4.59

"Persons with very high scores on the Conscientiousness scale organize their time and their physical surroundings, work in a disciplined way toward their goals, strive for accuracy and perfection in their tasks, and deliberate carefully when making decisions. Conversely, persons with very low scores on this scale tend to be unconcerned with orderly surroundings or schedules, avoid difficult tasks or challenging goals, are satisfied with work that contains some errors, and make decisions on impulse or with little reflection."

Extraversion | >90th Percentile | 6.66

"Persons with very high scores on the Extraversion scale feel positively about themselves, feel confident when leading or addressing groups of people, enjoy social gatherings and interactions, and experience positive feelings of enthusiasm and energy. Conversely, persons with very low scores on this scale consider themselves unpopular, feel awkward when they are the center of social attention, are indifferent to social activities, and feel less lively and optimistic than others do."

Openness to Experience | >90th Percentile | 7.63

"Persons with very high scores on the Openness to Experience scale become absorbed in the beauty of art and nature, are inquisitive about various domains of knowledge, use their imagination freely in everyday life, and take an interest in unusual ideas or people. Conversely, persons with very low scores on this scale are rather unimpressed by most works of art, feel little intellectual curiosity, avoid creative pursuits, and feel little attraction toward ideas that may seem radical or unconventional."

Sincerity | <10th Percentile | 2.81

The Sincerity scale assesses a tendency to be genuine in interpersonal relations. Low scorers will flatter others or pretend to like them in order to obtain favors, whereas high scorers are unwilling to manipulate others.

Fairness | <10th Percentile | 3.55

The Fairness scale assesses a tendency to avoid fraud and corruption. Low scorers are willing to gain by cheating or stealing, whereas high scorers are unwilling to take advantage of other individuals or of society at large.

Greed Avoidance | 50-90th Percentile | 6.12

The Greed Avoidance scale assesses a tendency to be uninterested in possessing lavish wealth, luxury goods, and signs of high social status. Low scorers want to enjoy and to display wealth and privilege, whereas high scorers are not especially motivated by monetary or social-status considerations.

Modesty | <10th Percentile | 2.6

The Modesty scale assesses a tendency to be modest and unassuming. Low scorers consider themselves as superior and as entitled to privileges that others do not have, whereas high scorers view themselves as ordinary people without any claim to special treatment.

Fearfulness | <10th Percentile | 3.42

The Fearfulness scale assesses a tendency to experience fear. Low scorers feel little fear of injury and are relatively tough, brave, and insensitive to physical pain, whereas high scorers are strongly inclined to avoid physical harm.

Anxiety | <10th Percentile | 2.87

The Anxiety scale assesses a tendency to worry in a variety of contexts. Low scorers feel little stress in response to difficulties, whereas high scorers tend to become preoccupied even by relatively minor problems.

Dependence | <10th Percentile | 2.4

The Dependence scale assesses one's need for emotional support from others. Low scorers feel self-assured and able to deal with problems without any help or advice, whereas high scorers want to share their difficulties with those who will provide encouragement and comfort.

Sentimentality | 50-90th Percentile | 5.04

The Sentimentality scale assesses a tendency to feel strong emotional bonds with others. Low scorers feel little emotion when saying good-bye or in reaction to the concerns of others, whereas high scorers feel strong emotional attachments and an empathic sensitivity to the feelings of others.

Social Self-Esteem | >90th Percentile | 6.74

The Social Self-Esteem scale assesses a tendency to have positive self-regard, particularly in social contexts. High scorers are generally satisfied with themselves and consider themselves to have likable qualities, whereas low scorers tend to have a sense of personal worthlessness and to see themselves as unpopular.

Social Boldness | >90th Percentile | 7.29

The Social Boldness scale assesses one's comfort or confidence within a variety of social situations. Low scorers feel shy or awkward in positions of leadership or when speaking in public, whereas high scorers are willing to approach strangers and are willing to speak up within group settings.

Sociability | 50-90th Percentile | 5.88

The Sociability scale assesses a tendency to enjoy conversation, social interaction, and parties. Low scorers generally prefer solitary activities and do not seek out conversation, whereas high scorers enjoy talking, visiting, and celebrating with others.

Liveliness | 10-50th Percentile | 4.98

The Liveliness scale assesses one's typical enthusiasm and energy. Low scorers tend not to feel especially cheerful or dynamic, whereas high scorers usually experience a sense of optimism and high spirits.

Forgivingness | 10-50th Percentile | 4.07

The Forgivingness scale assesses one's willingness to feel trust and liking toward those who may have caused one harm. Low scorers tend "hold a grudge" against those who have offended them, whereas high scorers are usually ready to trust others again and to re-establish friendly relations after having been treated badly.

Gentleness | <10th Percentile | 3.32

The Gentleness scale assesses a tendency to be mild and lenient in dealings with other people. Low scorers tend to be critical in their evaluations of others, whereas high scorers are reluctant to judge others harshly.

Flexibility | >90th Percentile | 6.3

The Flexibility scale assesses one's willingness to compromise and cooperate with others. Low scorers are seen as stubborn and are willing to argue, whereas high scorers avoid arguments and accommodate others' suggestions, even when these may be unreasonable.

Patience | 10-50th Percentile | 4.24

The Patience scale assesses a tendency to remain calm rather than to become angry. Low scorers tend to lose their tempers quickly, whereas high scorers have a high threshold for feeling or expressing anger.

Organization | <10th Percentile | 3.64

The Organization scale assesses a tendency to seek order, particularly in one's physical surroundings. Low scorers tend to be sloppy and haphazard, whereas high scorers keep things tidy and prefer a structured approach to tasks.

Diligence | 50-90th Percentile | 5.34

The Diligence scale assesses a tendency to work hard. Low scorers have little self-discipline and are not strongly motivated to achieve, whereas high scorers have a strong "'work ethic" and are willing to exert themselves.

Perfectionism | >90th Percentile | 6.96

The Perfectionism scale assesses a tendency to be thorough and concerned with details. Low scorers tolerate some errors in their work and tend to neglect details, whereas high scorers check carefully for mistakes and potential improvements.

Prudence | <10th Percentile | 3.07

The Prudence scale assesses a tendency to deliberate carefully and to inhibit impulses. Low scorers act on impulse and tend not to consider consequences, whereas high scorers consider their options carefully and tend to be cautious and self-controlled.

Aesthetic Appreciation | >90th Percentile | 6.71

The Aesthetic Appreciation scale assesses one's enjoyment of beauty in art and in nature. Low scorers tend not to become absorbed in works of art or in natural wonders, whereas high scorers have a strong appreciation of various art forms and of natural wonders.

Inquisitiveness | >90th Percentile | 7.09

The Inquisitiveness scale assesses a tendency to seek information about, and experience with, the natural and human world. Low scorers have little curiosity about the natural or social sciences, whereas high scorers read widely and are interested in travel.

Creativity | >90th Percentile | 6.65

The Creativity scale assesses one's preference for innovation and experiment. Low scorers have little inclination for original thought, whereas high scorers actively seek new solutions to problems and express themselves in art.

Unconventionality | >90th Percentile | 7.43

The Unconventionality scale assesses a tendency to accept the unusual. Low scorers avoid eccentric or nonconforming persons, whereas high scorers are receptive to ideas that might seem strange or radical.

Altruism | 10-50th Percentile | 4.1

The Altruism (versus Antagonism) scale assesses a tendency to be sympathetic and soft-hearted toward others. High scorers avoid causing harm and react with generosity toward those who are weak or in need of help, whereas low scorers are not upset by the prospect of hurting others and may be seen as hard-hearted.

Interest, Personality, and Sexual Traits That Distinguish Heterosexual, Bisexual, and Homosexual Individuals: Are There Two Dimensions That Underlie Variations in Sexual Orientation? ↪

"Research suggests that bisexual individuals differ from both same-sex heterosexual and homosexual individuals in a number of ways… Bisexual individuals sometimes differ from both same sex heterosexual and homosexual individuals on personality traits like neuroticism and disagreeable assertiveness (with bisexual individuals higher than other groups), conscientiousness (bisexual individuals lower than other groups…}… reported that moderately bisexual women were higher than more exclusively heterosexual or homosexual women on the “dark triad” of narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy…"

Interest, Personality, and Sexual Traits That Distinguish Heterosexual, Bisexual, and Homosexual Individuals: Are There Two Dimensions That Underlie Variations in Sexual Orientation? ↪

”… a number of studies have found that bisexual individuals tend to be higher than heterosexual and homosexual individuals on a number of sexual traits and behaviors not directly related to sexual orientation, with bisexual individuals reporting higher levels of sex drive, sociosexuality, sexual curiosity and sexual excitement seeking, and larger numbers of lifetime sexual partners than same-sex heterosexual and homosexual individuals, especially among women…"

Interest, Personality, and Sexual Traits That Distinguish Heterosexual, Bisexual, and Homosexual Individuals: Are There Two Dimensions That Underlie Variations in Sexual Orientation? ↪

”The differences just summarized between bisexual individuals and members of other sexual orientation groups… could be characterized as reflecting higher levels of certain kinds of impulses and impulsiveness in bisexual individuals (e.g., higher sexual drive and a tendency toward acting out behaviors), accompanied by lower levels of impulse control (e.g., lower conscientiousness, higher levels of “dark triad” traits).”

Interest, Personality, and Sexual Traits That Distinguish Heterosexual, Bisexual, and Homosexual Individuals: Are There Two Dimensions That Underlie Variations in Sexual Orientation? ↪

Scientific Hypothesis: “One hypothesis that might tie together these diverse findings is that bisexual individuals, on average, experience higher postnatal and adult levels of some sex hormones—particularly androgens—than same-sex heterosexual and homosexual individuals."

Interest, Personality, and Sexual Traits That Distinguish Heterosexual, Bisexual, and Homosexual Individuals: Are There Two Dimensions That Underlie Variations in Sexual Orientation? ↪

"Research has linked variations in adult levels of sex hormones—again, particularly androgens—to traits such as sex drive, sociosexuality, aggressiveness, risk taking, and impulse control, although the evidence for such associations is complex and sometimes inconsistent… These prenatal effects tend to make bisexual individuals less gender typical than same-sex heterosexual individuals but more gender typical than same-sex homosexual individuals (and, presumably, both somewhat “masculinized” and “feminized” in terms of their sexual attractions)."

Interest, Personality, and Sexual Traits That Distinguish Heterosexual, Bisexual, and Homosexual Individuals: Are There Two Dimensions That Underlie Variations in Sexual Orientation? ↪

"In addition, bisexual individuals may, as adults, experience higher levels of circulating levels of testosterone (and perhaps other hormones) than other groups, and this may serve to “energize” sexual interest in both their more-preferred sex and their less preferred sex, and it may also serve to activate a cluster of correlated traits, such as higher sex drive and sociosexuality, some personality traits (such as neuroticism and “dark triad” traits, and reduced conscientiousness), and behavioral tendencies toward impulsivity, sensation seeking, and externalizing behaviors…”

Not Straight and Not Straightforward: the Relationships Between Sexual Orientation, Sociosexuality, and Dark Triad Traits in Women ↪

"... with moderately bisexual women... reporting heightened sociosexuality compared to other groups... moderate levels of female bisexuality may be a by-product of selection for traits that result in less restricted sociosexuality... women who report exclusive or near exclusive homosexuality or heterosexuality report more restricted sociosexuality and lower Dark Triad scores, compared to women nearer to the middle of the continuum... found that moderately bisexual women reported less-restricted sociosexuality, as well as higher levels of Dark Triad traits - particularly psychopathy...”