The Infographic self : the visualisation of human personalities through gathered quantitative and qualitative data

Abstract

This study explores the role of data visualisation as applied to the abstract psychological subject of human personality. It offers visual representation in a discipline best known for its theoretical texts. This dissertation enquires into the origins of the human self and how it has been discerned through personality theories and assessment methods. In conjunction, the discipline of data visualisation is also explored, where specific interest is given to practical guidelines and key theories that pioneered such a vast discipline. The research methodology subjects a family of four individuals to a personality inventory questionnaire and a daily behavioural log. Such methods were selected so as to gather both quantitative and qualitative data regarding their personalities. These data sets were then visually represented in the practical segment of this study. The project concludes with seven different data visuals for each individual tested. This study provides a clear and visual alternative to the understanding of personality without the need of any previous theoretical psychological background.