DISC Personality Report vs. Bolton's Inventory

While there are a vast number of different personality and behavioral inventories, here I will compare just one to Bolton’s inventory.

The DISC Personality Report is available online for free. It is meant to be quick and effective for any common person looking to predict their behavior, thus relate to others. Results of the report are based on four factors: dominance, influence, steadiness and compliance. The inventory consists of twenty-eight separate boxes of four statements. Individuals are meant to choose the statement they believe fits them most and the statement that fits them least in each box.

Bolton’s inventory also consists of four categories, as does the DISC. The DISC Personality Report defines individuals by the percentage of dominance, influence, steadiness and compliance an individual matches with through the prompts.  Some might say that Bolton does the same with his four personality types: driver, expressive, analytical, and amiable. However, Bolton attempts to illustrate individuals by assigning them one category that corresponds two factors: responsiveness and relativeness.

 My experience with the DISC Personality Report has not been as pleasant as that of Bolton’s. Both inventories have been difficult, however I feel that the DISC Personality Report is redundant, oddly worded, and unfair in the similarity of its options. This leads to a confusing and drawn out experience. I relate distinctly to the results that have been produced by Bolton. I do not, however, relate much at all to those produced by the DISC Personality Report.

Personality can be measured in two different ways. Both of these inventories can be categorized as objective tests. More specifically, both inventories utilize the self-study measure because the participants are seeking the results for themselves. It is noted that objective tests, rather than projective measures, tend to be more successful. However, they can only be valid if the participant is willing to be accurately self-reflective.

My strong opinion here is that psychological analyses must be mindful of users in order to generate accurate results. DISC Personality Report and Bolton’s attempt to collect data in similar fashions but only one is successful. I believe that the confusing, and lengthy questionnaire of the DISC does not foster open willingness of the participant to honestly reflect. Additionally, the complex organization of data leaves the participant lost in translation. Bolton’s precise and simple order of collecting and presenting data is more informative and useful for users.

Works Cited

"DISC Personality Test | Take This Free DISC Types Test Online at 123test.com." DISC Personality Test. 123 Test, 2016. Web. 23 Jan. 2016. https://www.123test.com/disc-personality-test/

"Overview of Personality Assessment - Boundless Open Textbook." Boundless. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Jan. 2016. https://www.boundless.com/psychology/textbooks/boundless-psychology-textbook/personality-16/assessing-personality-84/overview-of-personality-assessment-321-12856/