Are you moody? Prone to distraction? Cellphones may act as a high-tech pacifier. By James A. Roberts.

Psychologists have been arguing for decades over whether personality traits are real or a myth. More recent research shows that traits are real, a scientist says, and have a big effect on behavior. By Christopher Soto.

It can be a lot of fun taking those back-of-the-magazine personality tests. But tests may be less fun when they are used by employers to make big life decisions on hiring and job performance. Twelve years ago, I tried to drive a stake into the heart of the personality-testing industry. Personality tests are neither valid nor reliable, I argued, and we should stop using them — especially for making decisions that affect the course of people's lives, like workplace hiring and promotion.

See how you rank. By Melissa Dahl.

When you picture a “grammar nazi”, what does that person look like? Are they old or young? Male or female? Professorial or blue-collar? A new study suggests they could be any of those things. In an experiment involving 80 Americans from a range of backgrounds, linguists Julie Boland and Robin Queen found no significant links between a judgmental attitude towards “typos” and “grammos” and gender, age or level of education.

It’s not shallow, boring, or offensive. It’s a crucial social lubricant as valuable as wine or laughter. By Ruth Graham.

New research finds that heterosexual people with pathological personalities have better success finding mates. By Karl Gruber.

The personality test isn't perfect, but it plays to people's desire to understand themselves and others.

Some people see threats even when none are present. Strangely, it can make them more creative. By Olga Khazan.

It might have to do with how your brain processes self-generated thoughts.

“When I do something well and have success, I feel like it’s a fluke.”

Imagine a typical entrepreneur. A quiet, reserved introvert is probably not what first came to mind. Aren’t entrepreneurs supposed to be gregarious and commanding—verbally adept and able to inspire employees, clients and investors with the sheer force of their personality? No wonder the advice for introverts who want to be entrepreneurs has long been some form of: “Be more extroverted.”

Science has finally proved that spending your Friday night in the company of your cat is good for you. Happiness is determined by the quality - not the quantity - of friendships you have in your thirties, according to a new study published in the American journal Psychology and Aging. This is good to hear for introverts who, like me, typically have fewer friends that they’re very close to.

The Myers-Brigg Type Indicator personality test may be reductive and inconsistent, but I still love it.

Discover the second of second five components of your personality with this one-minute test.

A new study shows that internet trolls really are just terrible human beings.

Smart machines need the right “personality” to work well—and experts are finding the best choice may not always be what we think we want

“The press has portrayed me alternately as a mad genius or a mad psychotic genius,” began the infamous John McAfee, speaking at Def Con–and why break that streak now? I must admit: when he’s crazy, he’s crazy like a fox. Ultimately, though, as insane and riveting as his tale is, what’s most interesting to me is the way he has weirdly come to symbolize his audience.

Are you a creative or an analytical person ? Find that out with this simple exercise in just 5 seconds...

Computer genius and online activist Aaron Swartz wanted to change the world - one download at a time. Then the US government decided enough was enough, with tragic consequences. By Paul McGeough.