Personality profiles are frequently used by teachers, employers, group leaders and psychologists to better understand individuals' strengths, areas for improvement and goals.
Personality profiles may measure how an individual interacts with others, communicate, makes decisions and responds to crises. They may also assess someone's learning style or the job best suited to their personality.
Most personality profiles utilize multiple-choice questionnaires, although psychologists may develop personality profiles through observation and interviews.
The most commonly administered written personality profiles are the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Keirsey Temperament Sorter, DISC Profile Personality Test, Enneagram of Personality and the Hartman Personality Profile.
Carl Jung's development of analytical psychology from the 1920s through the 1960s created the framework for contemporary personality profiling.
Many psychologists have questioned the statistical accuracy of personality testing and profiling, particularly those found on the Internet that may not have been written by psychologists using scientifically accepted methodology.