In a new post, Kristen Lamb takes a left turn at traditional “personality tests” to discuss how to discover what makes your characters tick. Most of us are familiar with the Myers-Brigg and Enneagram tests, but have you heard of the Mach-IV? The Mach-IV tests the user for Machiavellian traits, such as dishonesty and manipulation. Lamb takes a look at how the test can inform your characterization.
While a high score on the Mach-IV would suggest a personality is more ruthless or Machiavellian, Lamb notes that both Holmes and Moriarty would likely score off the chart. “Ironically, the very quality that makes Sherlock ideal to hunt down Moriarty is the quality they most share,” she writes. “They are both high-functioning sociopaths. Sherlock is willing to lie, manipulate and break every rule to attain his desired result. Like Moriarty, he believes the ends justify the means. Unlike Moriarty, however, Sherlock is bound by a strong moral compass.”
While that strong moral compass can put Holmes at a disadvantage, he also possesses something Moriarty lacks – self-awareness. “While the great detective knows he has almost no intellectual equal, he also appreciates he can’t rely on brain-power alone,” Lamb writes. “Sherlock understands his lack of compassion—which translates into terrible people skills—can be a hinderance. This is why Watson acts as a) a sort of angel on his shoulder to whisper in his ear and b) someone to smooth ruffled feathers after Sherlock has trampled all over their feelings.” In contrast, Moriarty acknowledges no blind spots and acknowledges no equals. However, Holmes and Watson still clash, despite their mutual affection.
Lamb suggests using personality tests to support your character creation. “What are the personality types most likely to get under their skin and why? How do they make a character stronger or weaker? In what ways do they ‘push each other’s buttons’?”
