The science behind picOCEAN: How image personality test work

You are constantly searching for better ways to assess candidates, ensure cultural fit, and predict future job performance. Traditional personality tests have served their purpose, but now there’s a cutting-edge tool that brings a fresh, engaging twist to personality assessments PicOCEAN. 

According to Harward Business Review, the use of personality assessments in hiring is on the rise, growing as much as 20% annually.

This innovative, picture-based personality assessment is changing the way we approach hiring and talent management. But how does it work? What’s the science behind it, and why should HR professionals consider using it? Let’s dive into these questions and explore the inner workings of PicOCEAN.

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Understanding the Big 5 personality traits

Before we explore PicOCEAN’s unique methodology, it’s important to understand the foundation upon which it is built: the Big 5 personality traits. The Big 5, also known as the Five-Factor Model, is a scientifically validated model used to measure human personality. These five traits are:

1. Openness to Experience (O)
2. Conscientiousness (C)
3. Extraversion (E)
4. Agreeableness (A)
5. Neuroticism (N)

These traits are essential for understanding how individuals behave, interact, and perform in various environments, particularly in the workplace. What sets PicOCEAN apart from traditional Big 5 assessments is its approach to measuring these traits with a modern, visually engaging method. Rather than answering long questionnaires with text-based items, candidates interact with images that reflect these personality dimensions in a more intuitive way.

What Is PicOCEAN?

PicOCEAN test is an innovative, image personality test developed by Testlify, designed to assess the Big 5 personality traits in a way that is both fast and highly accurate. Tailored for today’s fast-paced workplace, PicOCEAN uses interactive images to measure key personality factors. The test is mobile-friendly, easy to use, and provides valuable insights into competencies that matter most for both technical and non-technical roles.

The PicOCEAN assessment is based on the five Big 5 traits but updates these definitions to reflect the changing dynamics of modern work environments. It measures the following:

• PicO: Openness to Experience
• PicC: Conscientiousness
• PicE: Extraversion
• PicA: Agreeableness
• PicN: Navigability

With 15 sub-factors like adaptability, resilience, and interpersonal skills, PicOCEAN goes beyond the basics of personality to evaluate how individuals will thrive in dynamic, fast-changing workplaces.

How does picOCEAN work?

Now that we have a general idea of PicOCEAN, let’s dive into the science behind it and understand how the assessment works. At its core, PicOCEAN relies on the Big 5 model but incorporates a visual element that taps into our subconscious biases and preferences.

1. Visual stimuli

One of the most innovative aspects of PicOCEAN is its use of images to measure personality traits. Research in cognitive psychology shows that images have a unique power to tap into our subconscious and elicit more genuine reactions than words or text-based questions.

Humans are inherently visual creatures, and the way we respond to visual stimuli can provide a more accurate and nuanced understanding of our personality.

PicOCEAN uses this insight by presenting a series of carefully curated images that reflect real-life scenarios. Candidates are asked to choose images that resonate with them or that they feel best describe their preferences or reactions in different situations. The selections are then analyzed to infer specific personality traits.

For example, a picture of a group of people collaborating might prompt someone to choose it if they score high in Agreeableness (team-oriented and cooperative), while a more solitary image could suggest higher Openness to Experience or Conscientiousness.

2. Big 5 traits reimagined for the workplace

As we mentioned earlier, PicOCEAN adapts the traditional Big 5 model to better align with the competencies and skills needed in today’s workplace. The traits are given updated definitions to reflect their relevance in modern professional environments:

Openness to Experience (PicO)

In the context of the workplace, this trait goes beyond intellectual curiosity. It also reflects a person’s ability to adapt to change, approach challenges with creativity, and embrace new ideas. In an era where innovation and continuous learning are key, this trait is vital for success.

Conscientiousness (PicC)

While conscientiousness has traditionally been associated with organization and diligence, PicOCEAN emphasizes responsibility, resilience, and a goal-driven approach. High scorers in this trait are likely to show perseverance even in challenging conditions, making them ideal for roles that require accountability and follow-through.

Extraversion (PicE)

Extraversion, in PicOCEAN’s context, extends beyond being social. It’s about energy, motivation, and the ability to inspire and engage others, both in team settings and in leadership roles.

Agreeableness (PicA)

PicOCEAN’s definition of agreeableness takes into account not only collaboration and cooperation but also emotional intelligence and the ability to build strong, productive relationships in the workplace.

Navigability (PicN)

Navigability is a new addition to the Big 5, specific to PicOCEAN. This trait measures how well someone can navigate complex, fast-changing, and sometimes uncertain work environments. In a world where change is constant, being able to adapt quickly and effectively is a crucial skill.

3. 15 sub-factors for greater insight

PicOCEAN also takes a deeper dive by breaking down each of the Big 5 traits into sub-factors. These sub-factors offer a more granular view of a candidate’s competencies. For example:

• Openness might be broken down into sub-factors like Creativity and Curiosity.
• Conscientiousness could include Responsibility and Achievement Orientation.
• Extraversion might be assessed through sub-factors such as Sociability and Assertiveness.

These sub-factors allow HR professionals to get a well-rounded view of a candidate’s strengths and weaknesses, ensuring a better fit for specific roles.

4. Real-world relevance

PicOCEAN’s design focuses not just on measuring personality but also on how those personality traits relate to actual job performance. For example, someone with high Navigability might thrive in a fast-paced startup environment, while a candidate high in Conscientiousness might excel in structured roles like project management or finance.

By tailoring the assessment to the competencies that matter most for the modern workplace, PicOCEAN helps employers select candidates who are not only a good personality fit but also possess the core skills necessary to succeed in today’s complex, globalized, and technology-driven work environments.

Why should HR professionals use picOCEAN?

Now that we know how PicOCEAN works, let’s look at some of the benefits it offers HR professionals.

1. Faster and more engaging assessments

PicOCEAN’s use of images makes the personality assessment process more engaging and user-friendly. Traditional assessments that rely on text-based questions can sometimes be tedious for candidates. In contrast, PicOCEAN’s image-based approach is interactive, making the process faster, more enjoyable, and less likely to cause candidate fatigue.

2. Increased accuracy

Because PicOCEAN taps into the subconscious through images, it can offer a more authentic assessment of a candidate’s personality traits. This reduces the risk of socially desirable responding (where candidates give answers they think are expected) and increases the likelihood of receiving genuine, accurate results.

3. Validated results

PicOCEAN is not just a fun tool; it’s scientifically validated. The model has undergone rigorous testing to ensure that it measures the Big 5 traits accurately and reliably. This means HR professionals can trust the results to make informed, data-driven decisions.

4. Mobile-friendly and flexible

PicOCEAN’s mobile-friendly design allows candidates to complete the assessment from anywhere, on any device. This is especially beneficial for companies with remote teams or global talent pools, as it makes the assessment process more accessible.

5. Personalized insights

With 15 sub-factors, PicOCEAN provides personalized insights into a candidate’s unique competencies. This helps HR professionals go beyond the surface-level traits to understand how someone will perform in specific roles, how they’ll fit into a team, and how they’ll handle challenges.

Conclusion

It’s essential to use tools that not only save time but also provide reliable, meaningful insights into a candidate’s personality and work style. PicOCEAN does just that by combining the scientific rigor of the Big 5 personality model with the interactive, engaging format of image personality tests.

By providing a deeper understanding of traits like navigability, resilience, and collaboration, PicOCEAN helps organizations identify the right talent for the job ensuring that employees can thrive in today’s rapidly changing work environments.

With its innovative approach, PicOCEAN is more than just a personality test it’s a game-changing tool that empowers HR professionals to make smarter, data-driven decisions, ultimately driving success for both individuals and organizations.