Interesting quiz: What's your Habit Personality?
segacs
Posts: 4,599 Member
Link in the New York Times blog to the Habit Personality quiz by Gretchen Rubin here: well.blogs.nytimes.com//2015/03/26/take-the-habit-personality-quiz/
Like with most "which type are you?" quizzes, this is pop psychology and most people have a mix of all four. But, as long as you don't take it too seriously, it can be fun to see what your usual style is in approaching forming a new habit -- to lose weight, to exercise, or to do pretty much anything else in life.
Me personally, I'm a "Questioner". Which probably explains why I had so little success sticking to this in previous attempts when I'd try to force myself to do it based on the expectations of others. But this time, I've delved into the math of CICO a lot more, indulged my inner geek, and taken ownership of the process by setting custom goals and questioning all the myths out there to find what works for me. And I'm having no trouble finding the motivation to stick to it.
Whereas, for example, obligers might have an easier time sticking to an exercise routine if they sign up for a gym with a friend who would be let down if they quit, or if they got a personal trainer who could hold them accountable. Upholders might have an easier time by setting a routine or schedule. And rebels might have an easier time 'rebelling' against set workout programs or, say, running because they find freedom in it.
What's your habit personality? What have you done on MFP that you think works for you on that basis?
Like with most "which type are you?" quizzes, this is pop psychology and most people have a mix of all four. But, as long as you don't take it too seriously, it can be fun to see what your usual style is in approaching forming a new habit -- to lose weight, to exercise, or to do pretty much anything else in life.
Me personally, I'm a "Questioner". Which probably explains why I had so little success sticking to this in previous attempts when I'd try to force myself to do it based on the expectations of others. But this time, I've delved into the math of CICO a lot more, indulged my inner geek, and taken ownership of the process by setting custom goals and questioning all the myths out there to find what works for me. And I'm having no trouble finding the motivation to stick to it.
Whereas, for example, obligers might have an easier time sticking to an exercise routine if they sign up for a gym with a friend who would be let down if they quit, or if they got a personal trainer who could hold them accountable. Upholders might have an easier time by setting a routine or schedule. And rebels might have an easier time 'rebelling' against set workout programs or, say, running because they find freedom in it.
What's your habit personality? What have you done on MFP that you think works for you on that basis?
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Replies
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QUESTIONER
Questioners question all expectations, and will meet an expectation only if they believe it’s justified, so in effect, they meet only inner expectations. Once Questioners believe that a particular habit is worthwhile, they’ll stick to it—but only if they’re satisfied about the habit’s soundness and usefulness. They resist anything arbitrary or ineffective; they accept direction only from people they respect. Questioners may exhaust themselves (and other people) with their relentless questioning, and they sometimes find it hard to act without perfect information. If you’re thinking, “Well, right now I question the validity of the Four Tendencies framework,” yep, you’re probably a Questioner!0 -
I guess that's accurate. I am a questioner but I go out looking for answers which is why I have stuck to this
I've done research, went by what I've learned and have had success. 0 -
Pop psychology is fun! And it's Friday, so...0
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UPHOLDER. Gotta stick to my commitments and routines or I get thrown all out of my element.0
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Obliger.
Which suggests to me that my fitness lifestyle is anomalous. I can kind of agree that I'm motivated by not letting people down, but I'm doing the eating right and exercising thing by myself. The only person who even sort of knows I'm doing it is my husband, and all he knows is that I've been running more lately (because I ignore his calls while I'm running).
Taking the test kind of also suggested to me that I'm not generally authentic (barf) to my true nature. Like, my first reaction was "F*** a collared shirt. What a bull**** rule." And then I (truthfully) answered that I'd ignore the rule if everyone else did. Because apparently I dislike conflict more than I dislike doing stupid *** for no reason
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PeachyPlum wrote: »Pop psychology is fun! And it's Friday, so...
Exactly!
By the way, there are some short videos where Gretchen Rubin explains the four types, which offer some more insight into each type:- Upholders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jym9X6ijjio
- Questioners: https://youtube.com/watch?v=oOQGgbfx9ns
- Rebels: https://youtube.com/watch?v=jli-sW5LP-Q
- Obligers: https://youtube.com/watch?v=CUU99WhRu5Q
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I'm a Rebel. WOOOOO.
Except I suspect that the answers I gave that didn't fit "Rebel" fit "Obliger." Which means I'm pretty conflicted, LOL.0 -
UPHOLDER
Upholders respond readily to both outer and inner expectations: they meet deadlines and keep New Year’s resolutions without much struggle or supervision. Upholders take great satisfaction from moving smoothly through their daily schedule and their to-do lists. They meet others’ expectations—and their expectations for themselves. However, Upholders may feel uneasy when expectations aren’t clear, when they’re worried that they’re breaking the rules, or when they feel overwhelmed by expectations they seek to meet. They enjoy habits, and form habits fairly easily. If you want to learn more about the "upholder" tendency, please go to Gretchen Rubin’s website for a full report and to add your email to her mailing list.0 -
UPHOLDER:
I like when goals are clearly set and there are paths to follow. I'm very uneasy when I don't know what's expected or something surprising is thrown into my day. I want everything planned out.0 -
I'm a Rebel. WOOOOO.
Except I suspect that the answers I gave that didn't fit "Rebel" fit "Obliger." Which means I'm pretty conflicted, LOL.
Yes exactly! I'm pretty sure I would have been the Rebel if I wasn't the Obliger.
Actually, wait, no. This is what bothers me about the test: A lot of the questions have no bearing on how I form habits.
Wearing a collared shirt is not a habit. It's a compliance with authority issue. I never committed to Collared Shirt Fridays and I give exactly zero ****s about wearing a collared shirt, but I like wearing a collared shirt more than I like being hassled by HR.
Attending a BS training meeting is not a habit. I never made a resolution that I was going to go, and I give exactly zero ****s about the meeting.
If I make a commitment to someone, I feel Obliged to meet it. If I don't, I'm inclined to say "screw it" ( like the meeting). If someone's going to give me a lot of grief about it (like the shirt) I'll just wear the damn thing so everyone leaves me alone.
Because most of all? I'm highly motivated by not having to interact with other humans.0 -
I'm a Rebel. WOOOOO.
Except I suspect that the answers I gave that didn't fit "Rebel" fit "Obliger." Which means I'm pretty conflicted, LOL.
Me too! *highfive*
I think this describes me perfectly:
REBEL
Rebels resist all expectations, outer and inner alike. They act from a sense of choice, from freedom. Rebels wake up and think, “What do I want to do today?” They resist control, even self-control, and enjoy flouting rules and expectations. They sometimes frustrate others—and even themselves—because they resist any expectation, even one that’s self-imposed. Rebels resist habits, but they can embrace habit-like behaviors by tying their actions to their choices and their identity.0 -
PeachyPlum wrote: »Actually, wait, no. This is what bothers me about the test: A lot of the questions have no bearing on how I form habits.
Wearing a collared shirt is not a habit. It's a compliance with authority issue. I never committed to Collared Shirt Fridays and I give exactly zero ****s about wearing a collared shirt, but I like wearing a collared shirt more than I like being hassled by HR.
Attending a BS training meeting is not a habit. I never made a resolution that I was going to go, and I give exactly zero ****s about the meeting.
If I make a commitment to someone, I feel Obliged to meet it. If I don't, I'm inclined to say "screw it" ( like the meeting). If someone's going to give me a lot of grief about it (like the shirt) I'll just wear the damn thing so everyone leaves me alone.
Because most of all? I'm highly motivated by not having to interact with other humans.
Love this! But I think that the theory goes that an upholder or an obliger would see the collared shirt thing or the training meeting as a commitment that they inherently made to their boss or workplace simply by agreeing to work there.
I have lots of issues with authority, too, so I agree with you that those things sound pretty BS. But my reason for wearing the collared shirt might be that I don't see any reason to or I don't believe that it will achieve anything, whereas a rebel's reason might be "screw you, you can't tell me what to do, I'm not gonna wear that collared shirt!"
...Anyway, it's all pop psychology anyway. Don't go looking for it to make more sense than it does. 0 -
JenAndSome wrote: »UPHOLDER
Upholders respond readily to both outer and inner expectations: they meet deadlines and keep New Year’s resolutions without much struggle or supervision. Upholders take great satisfaction from moving smoothly through their daily schedule and their to-do lists. They meet others’ expectations—and their expectations for themselves. However, Upholders may feel uneasy when expectations aren’t clear, when they’re worried that they’re breaking the rules, or when they feel overwhelmed by expectations they seek to meet. They enjoy habits, and form habits fairly easily. If you want to learn more about the "upholder" tendency, please go to Gretchen Rubin’s website for a full report and to add your email to her mailing list.
I also got this, fits me perfectly lol0 -
PeachyPlum wrote: »Actually, wait, no. This is what bothers me about the test: A lot of the questions have no bearing on how I form habits.
Wearing a collared shirt is not a habit. It's a compliance with authority issue. I never committed to Collared Shirt Fridays and I give exactly zero ****s about wearing a collared shirt, but I like wearing a collared shirt more than I like being hassled by HR.
Attending a BS training meeting is not a habit. I never made a resolution that I was going to go, and I give exactly zero ****s about the meeting.
If I make a commitment to someone, I feel Obliged to meet it. If I don't, I'm inclined to say "screw it" ( like the meeting). If someone's going to give me a lot of grief about it (like the shirt) I'll just wear the damn thing so everyone leaves me alone.
Because most of all? I'm highly motivated by not having to interact with other humans.
Love this! But I think that the theory goes that an upholder or an obliger would see the collared shirt thing or the training meeting as a commitment that they inherently made to their boss or workplace simply by agreeing to work there.
I have lots of issues with authority, too, so I agree with you that those things sound pretty BS. But my reason for wearing the collared shirt might be that I don't see any reason to or I don't believe that it will achieve anything, whereas a rebel's reason might be "screw you, you can't tell me what to do, I'm not gonna wear that collared shirt!"
...Anyway, it's all pop psychology anyway. Don't go looking for it to make more sense than it does.
But I'm really bored...0 -
PeachyPlum wrote: »But I'm really bored...
Hehe. In that case, here's some more reading on people who feel like they fall into more than one of these categories: http://www.gretchenrubin.com/happiness_project/2015/01/did-the-quiz-help-you-decide-if-youre-upholder-questioner-obliger-rebel-some-thoughts/
Ultimately it's probably no more accurate than a horoscope or an MBTI type. But it's fun, isn't it?0 -
I answered three questions and quit, what does that say about me? 0
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beemerphile1 wrote: »I answered three questions and quit, what does that say about me?
Rebel.0 -
Obligers respond readily to outer expectations, but struggle to meet inner expectations. In other words, they work hard not to let other people down, but they often let themselves down. Obligers may find it difficult to form a habit, because often we undertake habits for our own benefit, and Obligers do things more easily for others than for themselves. For Obligers, the key to forming habits is to create external accountability.
I'm an obliger. Really is me.0 -
Upholder0
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I got the obliger, which wasn't really a surprise. For instance, if I'm in a group project I will do all the work I can to help my group along. If I am by myself, forget it. I'm procrastinating until the very last minute and will not do nearly as well.0
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Upholder0
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REBEL0
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Questioner. I think that's pretty accurate, I need to understand the reasons behind the things I do.0
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My outcome was Rebel... If I tilt my head to the side, I can see it.0
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Rebel.
I don't feel like I fit any of the categories though.
But that just might be the rebel in me, huh?
Where is the category for "I refuse to do anything even if it's something I truly want to do because I'm generally lazy and I follow through with nothing and simply wish to exist within wherever the wind blows me."0 -
PeachyPlum wrote: »I'm a Rebel. WOOOOO.
Except I suspect that the answers I gave that didn't fit "Rebel" fit "Obliger." Which means I'm pretty conflicted, LOL.
Yes exactly! I'm pretty sure I would have been the Rebel if I wasn't the Obliger.
Actually, wait, no. This is what bothers me about the test: A lot of the questions have no bearing on how I form habits.
Wearing a collared shirt is not a habit. It's a compliance with authority issue. I never committed to Collared Shirt Fridays and I give exactly zero ****s about wearing a collared shirt, but I like wearing a collared shirt more than I like being hassled by HR.
Attending a BS training meeting is not a habit. I never made a resolution that I was going to go, and I give exactly zero ****s about the meeting.
If I make a commitment to someone, I feel Obliged to meet it. If I don't, I'm inclined to say "screw it" ( like the meeting). If someone's going to give me a lot of grief about it (like the shirt) I'll just wear the damn thing so everyone leaves me alone.
Because most of all? I'm highly motivated by not having to interact with other humans.
I'm a people pleaser who absolutely hates being TOLD what to do.
I want to do it on my own and dysfunctionally "earn" love and acceptance on my own terms.
Crap. back to therapy.0 -
Upholder0
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A little about how each habit type can find success on MFP:
Upholders probably have the easiest time sticking to weight loss and exercise plans if they simply decide to make these things part of their habits. They're the ones who likely respond best to "just do it". If you're an upholder, deciding to schedule calorie tracking or workouts into your routine, and focusing on the how, probably work best for you. Fitbits and trackers and convenience meal plans are useful for upholders, since these things help them with their habit forming. External support is helpful for upholders, especially at the beginning, but they're likely fine without it too because once they decide to lose weight, they just do it.
Questioners probably need to understand the 'why' instead of the 'how'. They will lose weight not because their doctor tells them to or because of any external expectations, but because they understand the reasons -- the health implications, or the logic. They also are the people who do best by taking control of the process by understanding why it works; the science or math behind CICO, the ability to manipulate calories based on diet or exercise choices. If you're a questioner, you're probably also a skeptic, and less likely to accept all the fad diet or quick fix ideas out there. Once you understand why it works, you'll probably do fine, with or without external support.
Rebels are probably the ones who are most likely to avoid wanting to lose weight if they feel pressured by the people around them or by society's expectations to do so. "Screw you, I'm not going to turn into some skinny media ideal just because you tell me to" might have been their rebel-minded reason for not doing it sooner. The best way to motivate yourself as a rebel? Set yourself a challenge. Get someone else to say (or say to yourself) "hey, I bet you can't lose the weight / deadlift 100lbs / run a half-marathon". Then prove yourself wrong, because nobody -- not even you -- is gonna tell you that you can't do something, amirite? Finding exercise you love is another great way for a rebel to do something because you want to run / lift / train / dance. If you're doing it because you enjoy it, not because anyone expects you to, you're more likely to stick with it. Rebels often do best when they have a lack of support, or even negative support, since people doubting them tends to motivate them more than people supporting them.
Obligers are usually the ones who find the most success by creating external accountability. Saying "I'm going to lose weight so I can be there for my children" or "I'm going to the gym because I made a commitment to my friend that we'd go twice a week and I don't want to let her down" can be powerful motivators. If you recognize that you're an obliger, you probably want to seek out as much external support as possible. Obligers respond well to group diet pledges, team sports, or anything where failure to stick to their MFP plan would let someone else down.
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