Methodology / terrain-v1
A map with its limits marked.
These scores summarize your responses. They do not measure happiness, virtue, clinical wellbeing, or your future.
Where the idea comes from
Mõttus and colleagues (2024) examined associations between personality and life satisfaction using self- and informant-reports in multiple samples. Their findings describe population-level correlations, not causal effects or individual prescriptions.
Most people’s life satisfaction matches their personality traits. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 126(4), 676–693. PubMed record.
The 70-item working catalog and weights were supplied through secondary graphics based on the paper. Those graphics identify some values as interpolations from Figure 1. They are not a validated questionnaire or a substitute for the paper. Public prompts here are newly adapted; no psychometric equivalence is claimed. Item licensing review is pending.
From answers to a reflection index
For each prompt, 1 means strongly disagree and 7 means strongly agree. We convert an answer to a 0–10 value: (answer − 1) ÷ 6 × 10. “Not sure” and “Not enough information” are missing observations, never midpoint responses.
For each side, we take the weighted mean: Σ(weight × normalized answer) ÷ Σ(answered weights). We keep the 39 higher-satisfaction-associated items separate from the 31 friction items. Positive weight magnitudes sum to 13.29 and friction magnitudes sum to 11.60.
Weights are working correlation magnitudes. They are not regression coefficients, additive causal effects, or evidence that changing an answer would change happiness. We apply no confidence factor based on answer extremity.
Coverage is the sum of answered weights divided by the sum of all weights on that side. At least 70% coverage on both sides is required for the overall net index: alignment minus burden, from −10 to +10. Two-decimal display is formatting, not a claim of measurement precision.
How observer privacy works
A valid observer response has at least 70% coverage on each side and affirms the non-scored thoughtful-answer check. We compute each person’s scores first, then average those scores equally. The owner sees received and eligible counts, but no scores until three eligible responses exist.
The first three eligible responses form one frozen group view in v1. Later responses do not update those averages: otherwise comparing successive results could reveal a single later response. Trait averages and gaps appear only when all three members answered that item. No individual sets, relationship categories, or response dates are exposed. Dispersion is not released.
The descriptive gap is observer average minus self rating. The two perspectives never become one combined “more accurate” score. Anonymous access cannot guarantee distinct people: deliberate collusion or clearing browser cookies can defeat duplicate prevention. Group privacy depends in part on trusted invitations.
Prompts and weights
Content version traits-v1. These weights apply only to this experimental index. Original source labels are retained in the internal catalog for licensing and scientific review.
p01 · Enjoyment · weight 0.60
Self: I make room for activities that feel enjoyable.
Observer: They make room for activities that seem enjoyable.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p02 · Everyday energy · weight 0.57
Self: I usually have energy to engage with my day.
Observer: They usually bring energy to everyday activities.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p03 · Urges and choices · weight 0.54
Self: When I strongly want something, I can pause before acting.
Observer: When they strongly want something, they can pause before acting.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p04 · Responding to difficulties · weight 0.51
Self: I spend little time voicing complaints about everyday setbacks.
Observer: They spend little time voicing complaints about everyday setbacks.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p05 · Composure · weight 0.48
Self: When demands build up, I keep a steady manner.
Observer: When demands build up, they keep a steady manner.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p06 · Range of skills · weight 0.44
Self: I can handle several different kinds of tasks well.
Observer: They handle several different kinds of tasks well.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p07 · Social ease · weight 0.43
Self: A small social mistake rarely leaves me feeling awkward for long.
Observer: After a small social mistake, they seem to recover their ease quickly.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p08 · Trust · weight 0.42
Self: I generally expect people to follow through in good faith.
Observer: They generally seem to expect people to follow through in good faith.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p09 · Perspective · weight 0.41
Self: People seek my judgment when a situation needs perspective.
Observer: People seek their judgment when a situation needs perspective.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p10 · Working together · weight 0.41
Self: I find shared tasks satisfying when everyone contributes.
Observer: They seem to find shared tasks satisfying when everyone contributes.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p11 · Effort and possibility · weight 0.40
Self: I believe sustained effort can overcome almost any obstacle.
Observer: They express a belief that sustained effort can overcome almost any obstacle.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p12 · Warmth toward people · weight 0.39
Self: I tend to find something to appreciate in people I meet.
Observer: They tend to find something to appreciate in people they meet.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p13 · Ease in daily life · weight 0.38
Self: In ordinary moments, I feel at ease in my body and mind.
Observer: In ordinary moments, they appear at ease.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p14 · Influence · weight 0.38
Self: I can help people see a reason to support an idea.
Observer: They help people see reasons to support an idea.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p15 · Taking the lead · weight 0.37
Self: In a group, I step forward to help set direction.
Observer: In a group, they step forward to help set direction.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p16 · Getting started · weight 0.36
Self: Once a task is clear, I begin without a long delay.
Observer: Once a task is clear, they begin without a long delay.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p17 · New connections · weight 0.35
Self: I turn new acquaintances into friendships without much difficulty.
Observer: They turn new acquaintances into friendships without much difficulty.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p18 · Complexity · weight 0.35
Self: I enjoy working through a problem with many connected parts.
Observer: They seem to enjoy working through problems with many connected parts.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p19 · Sequencing · weight 0.34
Self: I arrange the steps of a task in a sensible sequence.
Observer: They arrange the steps of a task in a sensible sequence.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p20 · Picking things up · weight 0.34
Self: I grasp the essentials of an unfamiliar task after little practice.
Observer: They grasp the essentials of unfamiliar tasks after little practice.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p21 · Lighthearted teasing · weight 0.33
Self: Friendly teasing about me usually feels easy to take.
Observer: They usually seem comfortable with friendly teasing about themselves.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p22 · Curiosity · weight 0.32
Self: I seek out things I do not yet understand.
Observer: They seek out things they do not yet understand.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p23 · Acceptance · weight 0.31
Self: I can make space for someone's differences without trying to change them.
Observer: They make space for people's differences without trying to change them.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p24 · Sustained effort · weight 0.30
Self: I put sustained effort into the work I take on.
Observer: They put sustained effort into the work they take on.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p25 · Gathering with others · weight 0.29
Self: Spending time at group get-togethers is something I enjoy.
Observer: They seem to enjoy spending time at group get-togethers.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p26 · Preparation · weight 0.28
Self: Before an activity, I check that I have what I will need.
Observer: Before an activity, they check that they have what they will need.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p27 · Uncertain outcomes · weight 0.27
Self: I sometimes choose an opportunity even when its outcome is uncertain.
Observer: They sometimes choose opportunities even when the outcome is uncertain.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p28 · Energy from conversation · weight 0.26
Self: After a conversation, I often feel more energized.
Observer: After conversations, they often seem more energized.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p29 · Striving · weight 0.25
Self: I set demanding goals and push myself to reach them.
Observer: They set demanding goals and push themselves to reach them.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p30 · Making amends · weight 0.24
Self: When I recognize a mistake, I readily offer an apology.
Observer: When they recognize a mistake, they readily offer an apology.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p31 · Order in surroundings · weight 0.24
Self: I regularly put my belongings back where they belong.
Observer: They regularly put their belongings back where they belong.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p32 · Staying with intentions · weight 0.23
Self: I can pass up an appealing distraction to stick with my intentions.
Observer: They can pass up appealing distractions to stick with their intentions.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p33 · New approaches · weight 0.23
Self: I like inventing a different approach to a familiar task.
Observer: They like inventing different approaches to familiar tasks.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p34 · Family commitments · weight 0.23
Self: I feel a particular obligation to show up for my family.
Observer: They express a particular obligation to show up for their family.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p35 · Exploring places · weight 0.22
Self: I enjoy spending time somewhere I have not been before.
Observer: They seem to enjoy spending time somewhere they have not been before.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p36 · Steadfastness · weight 0.21
Self: I stay committed to people through difficult periods.
Observer: They stay committed to people through difficult periods.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p37 · Offering comfort · weight 0.21
Self: When someone is upset, I can find a way to offer comfort.
Observer: When someone is upset, they find ways to offer comfort.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p38 · Authority · weight 0.20
Self: I give weight to the guidance of people in positions of authority.
Observer: They give weight to the guidance of people in positions of authority.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
p39 · Personal development · weight 0.20
Self: I deliberately practice ways of improving how I do things.
Observer: They deliberately practice ways of improving how they do things.
Higher-satisfaction-associated · Licensing review pending
n01 · Feeling misunderstood · weight 0.69
Self: I often come away from conversations feeling my meaning was missed.
Observer: They often say that people have missed what they meant.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n02 · Little to look forward to · weight 0.61
Self: It is difficult for me to find something to look forward to.
Observer: They often describe difficulty finding something to look forward to.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n03 · Worry about being alone · weight 0.55
Self: The possibility of being without company makes me anxious.
Observer: They express anxiety about the possibility of being without company.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n04 · Tiredness · weight 0.52
Self: I often run out of energy during ordinary days.
Observer: They often seem to run out of energy during ordinary days.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n05 · Putting off decisions · weight 0.51
Self: I put off choosing even when I have the information I need.
Observer: They put off choosing even when they seem to have the information they need.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n06 · Everyday fears · weight 0.50
Self: Many ordinary situations bring up fear for me.
Observer: They express fear about many ordinary situations.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n07 · Unease at others’ success · weight 0.49
Self: Someone else's success can leave me feeling resentful.
Observer: They sometimes respond to someone else's success with resentment.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n08 · Support needs · weight 0.46
Self: I frequently need assistance to manage day-to-day tasks.
Observer: They frequently need assistance to manage day-to-day tasks.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n09 · Boredom · weight 0.45
Self: I often feel that there is little to hold my interest.
Observer: They often say there is little to hold their interest.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n10 · Stepping back from duties · weight 0.44
Self: I try to step away from duties that others expect me to handle.
Observer: They try to step away from duties that others expect them to handle.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n11 · Emotional sensitivity · weight 0.42
Self: Small comments can leave me feeling hurt for a while.
Observer: Small comments seem to leave them feeling hurt for a while.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n12 · Saying yes at my own expense · weight 0.41
Self: I agree to things that benefit others at an unfair cost to me.
Observer: They agree to things that benefit others at an unfair cost to them.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n13 · Leaving hard tasks unfinished · weight 0.40
Self: When a task gets difficult, I tend to leave it unfinished.
Observer: When a task gets difficult, they tend to leave it unfinished.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n14 · Wariness of kindness · weight 0.39
Self: When someone is kind, I wonder what they want in return.
Observer: When someone is kind, they express doubts about what that person wants in return.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n15 · Seeking reassurance · weight 0.36
Self: I often ask others to confirm that things will be all right.
Observer: They often ask others to confirm that things will be all right.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n16 · Holding on to hurt · weight 0.35
Self: After being wronged, I find it difficult to let go of resentment.
Observer: After being wronged, they seem to find it difficult to let go of resentment.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n17 · Difficulty showing care · weight 0.34
Self: It is difficult for me to show people that I care about them.
Observer: They seem to find it difficult to show people that they care about them.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n18 · Pointing to others first · weight 0.33
Self: When something fails, I tend to point first to what others did.
Observer: When something fails, they tend to point first to what others did.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n19 · Solitude · weight 0.32
Self: Given a choice, I usually choose time on my own over company.
Observer: Given a choice, they usually choose time on their own over company.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n20 · Drifting attention · weight 0.31
Self: My attention often moves away from what I intended to do.
Observer: Their attention often moves away from what they intended to do.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n21 · Avoiding speaking to groups · weight 0.30
Self: I look for ways to avoid addressing a group.
Observer: They look for ways to avoid addressing a group.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n22 · Impact on others · weight 0.29
Self: I sometimes take satisfaction in causing another person distress.
Observer: They sometimes appear to take satisfaction in causing another person distress.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n23 · Finishing late · weight 0.28
Self: I often complete tasks after the agreed time.
Observer: They often complete tasks after the agreed time.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n24 · Commitments that slip · weight 0.27
Self: I sometimes fail to do what I have told someone I will do.
Observer: They sometimes fail to do what they have told someone they will do.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n25 · Recurring conflict · weight 0.26
Self: My interactions sometimes develop into lasting hostility.
Observer: Their interactions sometimes develop into lasting hostility.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n26 · Inaccurate accounts · weight 0.25
Self: I sometimes knowingly give an inaccurate account of what happened.
Observer: They sometimes knowingly give an inaccurate account of what happened.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n27 · Changing interests · weight 0.24
Self: My enthusiasm shifts from one interest to another quickly.
Observer: Their enthusiasm shifts from one interest to another quickly.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n28 · Unease talking about myself · weight 0.23
Self: I feel uncomfortable when a conversation turns to my own experiences.
Observer: They seem uncomfortable when a conversation turns to their own experiences.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n29 · Forgetting things · weight 0.22
Self: I often lose track of something I meant to remember.
Observer: They often lose track of something they meant to remember.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n30 · Tears · weight 0.21
Self: Tears come readily when I feel moved or upset.
Observer: Tears come readily when they seem moved or upset.
Friction · Licensing review pending
n31 · Acting before considering · weight 0.20
Self: I sometimes act before considering what might follow.
Observer: They sometimes act before considering what might follow.
Friction · Licensing review pending
A foundation for research
Optional country of residence, adult age band, broad occupation and gender questions help describe who participates. They use a versioned module with separate consent and explicit missing or “Prefer not to say” values. They do not change scores. Demographic information alone does not make a dataset representative or validate this instrument.
Academic use needs a defined research question, appropriate ethics review, a sampling and analysis plan, item permissions, and evidence of reliability and validity. Group comparisons also need tests of whether the instrument measures the same constructs across groups. These steps remain outstanding for this exploratory preview.
What comes next
Public launch requires item-licensing review, review of adapted wording and weights, privacy and abuse review, and operational signoff. Any formal study, publication, demographic collection, or recruitment requires a separate ethics and legal review.