History
The HEXACO Personality Inventory was developed in 2000 by Canadian psychology professors Kibeom Lee, Ph.D. & Michael C. Ashton, Ph.D. The inventory’s foundations stem from research into five core personality traits. These have been a major area of study in psychology by researchers such as Donald Fiske in the 1940s and Dr. Paul Costa and Dr. Robert McCrae in the 1980s. The “Big 5,” as these core traits are called, served as the theoretical basis upon which Ashton & Lee created the HEXACO Personality Inventory. Since then, the HEXACO Personality Test has been used widely, and has been translated into numerous languages.
What the Six Facets Mean
Like other personality tests, the HEXACO Personality Inventory is used to gauge human personality across a multitude of situations. There are six primary domains that comprise the assessment. Here’s a bit more about each one: Each of these six domains has four facets, which further explore how personality tendencies may manifest. For instance, the Honesty-Humility domain has a Sincerity scale, which assesses individuals’ predisposition for being genuine in their interpersonal relations. There’s also an Interstitial Scale, unattached to any of the domains, which measures individuals’ likelihood of being altruistic vs. antagonistic.
Benefits of the HEXACO Personality Inventory
Learning more about one’s personality type can be advantageous. This can help individuals understand why they act the way they do. Personality tests can also be beneficial for mental health professionals. According to Dr. Lee Phillips, “We must know how patients cope with their mental health issues of concern prior to starting psychotherapy. Facilitating personality tests provides psychotherapists with the framework for treatment planning and selecting a treatment modality that will benefit the patient.”
The HEXACO Personality Inventory May Be Used to Predict Behavior
Furthermore, the HEXACO Personality Inventory has been correlated to predict certain behaviors. In one study, researchers found that the personality test helped determine differences in personality traits between various academic majors. One meta-analysis also found that those who scored higher in Openness to Experience and Honesty and Humility were more likely to exhibit pro-environmental behavior.
Drawbacks of the HEXACO Personality Inventory
While the HEXACO Personality Inventory can be useful, it also has its drawbacks. Studies have found that individuals completing personality inventories can respond to items based on social desirability, meaning, answering in a manner that presents them in a favorable light. Additionally, although the HEXACO Personality Inventory has been studied in cross-cultural contexts, it is difficult to generalize results. Kara Nassour, LPC, NCC says, Finally, the HEXACO Personality can “box” people into certain categories, according to Dr. Michele Goldman of the Hope for Depression Research Foundation. She also says, “People tend to hold onto the notion that their results are fixed and conclusive, but our personalities change and evolve over time.”
A Word From Verywell
The HEXACO Personality Inventory can be useful in understanding trends in individuals’ behaviors, thoughts, and emotions by measuring six domains. This tool can not only be beneficial at the personal level, by allowing someone to understand why they exhibit the qualities they do, but it can also assist mental health professionals, in that they can use the scores to tailor treatment to the client’s needs. The HEXACO Personality Inventory isn’t meant to diagnose any particular mental health condition but can complement a broader treatment plan.
