Group 3. - Pick the Personality Type

Question  51.    A trial lawyer selects the jury for a civil trial where a grey-haired lady was shopping at a local grocery store and slipped and fell.  She usually uses a walker but decided not to use it that day.  The lady is a grandmother and very sympathetic.  The attorney must pick one of the four remaining jurors set forth below.  Who would you choose as the juror?

            (a) An A-type male truck driver with a history of speeding tickets keeps looking at the clock.

            (b) A B-type female hairdresser and very friendly, 

            (c) A C-type female accountant with a notepad and pencil in hand, and

            (d) A D-type 35-year-old male working in the marketing department of a chemical company. 

Answer:  Juror (b) is the best choice.  She is a B-type, very sympathetic, and will have no problem ignoring the law. 

Although juror (a) may ignore the law, the A-type truck driver is usually not moved by sympathy. He probably wonders why they are there taking up his time.    Juror (c) will be the hardest to convince since all of the facts appear to be against her case.  Juror (d) will find that the little old lady leaving her walker home lacks simple caution.

Practice Session  If you have served on a jury before, can you identify any of the juror’s personality types and how they approached the case?  Next time you are on a jury, see if you can guess the personality types. 

Question  52.   Henry Ford had an 8th-grade education and became the nation’s leading industrialist.  He hired an engineer from a competitor who had the idea of a mass production method that permitted him to sell cars at a price below what the competitors could do.  He attempted to control every aspect of his manufacturing process, from the car seats to the rubber tires.  That placed his competitors at a significant disadvantage.  He maintained tight control over everyone below him.   What was Henry Ford’s predominant personality type?

(a)   A  

(b)   B  

 (c)  C  

 (d)  D  

 (e)  All of the Above

Answer:  Henry Ford was most likely an A-type.  He exemplifies that education, or the environment, does not dictate the personality type.  He was highly competitive and sought to put all his competitors out of business.  He wanted to win at all costs.  That is the main intrinsic trait.

Answer:  Henry Ford was most likely an A-type.  He exemplifies that an education, or the environment, does not dictate the personality type.  He was extremely competitive and sought to put all of his competitors out of business.  He wanted to win at all costs.  That is the main intrinsic trait.

Question  53.   My daughter came to me and says she is sick.  The following explanations are provided.  Identify the most dominate personality type that fits each explanation.

a. My daughter is sick because she has a temperature of 102.5 F and the CDC flu map shows that it is widespread in our state.

b. My daughter is sick because she told me so and she never lies.

c. My daughter is sick and I sent a note yesterday saying I thought she was coming down with something.

d. My daughter is sick because you gave her too much homework, and she barely had time to finish her chores.

Answer:

(a)   This explanation is consistent with being a C-type.  They are data driven and solve problems with logic and reason. 

(b)  This is consistent with a B-type personality.  They deal with interrelationships and are very sociable.  Their interrelationship abilities allows them to determine the credibility of their daughter. 

(c)  This is probably a D-type.  They love to look into the future and make predictions based on prior observations. 

(d) This is a classic A-type.  They are very protective of their children and advocate on their behalf.  The fact that the daughter had chores indicates that the parent is training the child to develop good work ethics to become successful.

Question  54.  A couple having been living together for the last 10- years.  They have a dog named “Steve” for the last 7 years.  They have mutually agreed to separate.   But, both sides want Steve.  Match the resolution method to the Personality type.

a. The dog’s feelings must be taken into account. Have a friend hold the dog on a leash and the couple walk 25 yards in opposite directions.  Then each call the dog to come to them.  Whoever the dog comes to keeps the dog.  

b. The party who paid for the dog is the owner and therefore keeps the dog.

c. An analysis is made as to who can best care for the dog in terms of who can spend the most time with Steve, who takes him to the veterinarian, who takes him for the most walks, who feeds him, and who grooms him.   

d. The parties flip a coin.

Answer:

(a)   This appears to be what a B-type personality would would.  That is a simple extension of the having friends trait.  Anyone who says a pet can’t be a friend probably never had a pet.  Even fish have been known to visit with the owner.   

(b)  This would be a classic Type A personality.  It was my money and I owe it.  It also follows the law.

(c)  This is probably a C-type.  Making calculations and having data always results in the best answer.  It’s only logical–so says the C-Types.  

(d) This is likely a D-type.  If it were based on a statistical analysis then it would be a C-type trait.  But pure chance, that’s more in the domain of the D-types. 

Question  55.  In an employment application with a social media company, can you spot the questions relating to personality traits.  

a. Explain why you are applying for this job.  It is recommended that your answer be at least 100 words and no more than 500 words.

b. List your college education since high school.  Indicate if  you received a degree or certificate from each college and the years attended.

c. List the number of jobs you had in the last 5 years.  Identify each employer, the years you worked there, a brief description of what job duties, and why you left each job.

d. When you go to a social event, do you seek out and talk to strangers?

Every one of the questions carries information about your personality trait.  

If the job description relates to programing or data processing, then the employer is looking for a C-Type.  If the job description relates to sales, the employer is looking for a B-Type.   If the job relates to advertising or marketing, the employer is primarily looking for a D Type.  But a B, or C type, may be considered depending upon the amount of social interactions or data processing needed.  If the job relates to management, the employer is probably looking for an A, B, for C type.   If firing people is a high priority, then the B type will not fair well.  The A type will be preferred unless the terminations are based on performance data which is within the skill set of the C type.   

The following is what traits are being revealed by each question. 

(a)   Explain why you or applying for this job.

This question is a favorite of the B’s.  They will take up the entire 500 words.  They will take center stage in all of their accomplishments.   Their dissertation will be a joy to read, and will probably have one humorous antidote.   

The A types do not want to answer this question much less tell others how they feel.  Their answer will  avoid responding to the question and provide very little information.   The essence of the answer (not the words used) will say that they are looking for a job and they can provide valuable expertise. 

The C type will list data, resources and accomplishments.   They will express no emotions. 

The D Type will look like an advertisement or propaganda message meant to persuade.  It will be full of emotions used to manipulate.  The message will imply that the company may not exist long unless they act immediately and hire someone like me. 

(b)   List your Education.

Where you went to school and what you majored in tells the employer a great deal about a person’s personality. 

A types will major in business or economics. 

B’s will be in the social degrees i.e. Liberal Arts. 

C’s will be in Engineering, data processing, Computers, and Accounting.  

D’s will major in Political Science, Marketing, and Advertising.  

(c)   List your Previous Occupations for the last 5 years. 

Your  previous occupations are direct indicators of your personality traits. 

The A types do not change jobs often.  This is because of the strong loyalty trait.   If they do, it is for a promotion to a higher management job. 

The B types often change jobs for social reasons.  Being stuck in an isolated office would not be enjoyable.  They enjoy travel and large sales meetings.  They would likely have a high employment turnover.

The C types would be the opposite of the “B.”  They would enjoy isolated offices where they could analyze data.  They often become indispensable and have the lowest employment turnover.

The D types have high turnovers and often leave with bridges burning behind them.   Their jobs are similar to their advertisements.  What works today is out-of-date tomorrow.

(d)  Talk to strangers at social events. 

This question is rarely asked on employment applications.   It only applies to A and B types.  The A types would be discussing business matters, such as obtaining inside information on a competitor.  The B Types would enjoy the social interaction.  

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