Tests that score us on a set of traits are popular because they satisfy our deep-seated conviction that we can get to the heart of a person’s “true” identity by knowing those traits that define the essence of that person’s personality. We tend to believe that, deep down in the bedrock of a person’s soul, someone is essentially wired to be friendly or unfriendly, lazy or industrious, introverted or extroverted, and that these defining characteristics will shine through no matter what the circumstances or task. This belief is known as essentialist thinking
