Get your ID37 personality test.

Life motives are fundamental inner drivers that determine why people act, feel, and think the way they do. Psychology distinguishes 16 universal life motives – including curiosity, autonomy, social acceptance, and influence. Every person possesses all 16 motives, but in varying degrees. This individual combination shapes personality like a unique fingerprint. Unlike personality types (such as MBTI), life motives reveal the deeper needs that govern behavior over the long term. They are scientifically measurable and help in understanding one's own motivation. A detailed explanation of common psychological terms related to personality and motivation can be found in the ID37 Glossary.
‍
→ Discover the Psychology Glossary

ID37 analyzes 16 fundamental life motives. Each motive describes a basic need that drives behavior.

The 16 life motives at a glance:

• Curiosity: Desire for knowledge, insight and intellectual challenges
• Social Acceptance: Desire for affirmation and acceptance from others
• Influence: Desire for control and influence over people and processes
• Status: Desire for prestige and a prominent position in society
• Retention: Efforts to acquire and preserve possessions and other resources
• Autonomy: Desire for independence from the expectations and influence of others
• Social Participation: Desire for social interaction and contact with other people
• Principles: Desire for conformity with the social norms of a particular social group or society as a whole
• Social Engagement: Commitment to those who are suffering or disadvantaged, as well as to a more just society
• Structure: Desire to structure one's surroundings in simple and consistent terms
• Safety: Desire for a quiet and secure life
• Revenge: Desire for retribution for any injustice experienced
• Physical Exercise: Desire for movement and physical activity
• Food Enjoyment: Desire for enjoyable experiences in association with food intake
• Family: Desire to cultivate a caring and tight-knit familial network
• Eros: Desire for sensual, erotic experiences and an active, fulfilled sex life

The individual expression – high, average or low – explains why people act and react differently.

→ Watch the 4-minute explainer video (English subtitles)
→ Explore the Psychology Glossary
→ Learn more in the ID37 Book

ID37 does not categorize. While MBTI or DISC force people into categories, ID37 shows the individual motive structure on a continuous scale. The test explains causes: Why does someone behave this way? Other tests only describe how someone behaves. ID37 is also based on current scientific research rather than outdated theories. The test was scientifically developed, validated and normed at the University of Luxembourg and meets all psychometric quality criteria. The result is precise, meaningful and easy to understand. In professional applications, users are guided by certified ID37 Masters – for maximum quality and responsible interpretation. Additionally, the AI coach can be used to interpret the personality profile.

→ Explore terms in the Glossary
→ Watch the 4-minute explainer video (English subtitles)
→ Watch the AI Coach Jay explainer video (English subtitles)

The ID37 test differs significantly from online quick tests through its scientific foundation and measurement precision. Its quality criteria are transparently disclosed and enable reliable predictions of future behavior. The results serve as dependable orientation in life. ID37 also meets high standards for data protection (GDPR), voluntariness, non-discrimination and consulting ethics. The accompanying services and features of the ID37 platform are also unique.

Online quick tests, by contrast, are usually not validated, work without norm samples, roughly categorize people into types and are more entertaining than diagnostically reliable.

→ Download the scientific manual (currently available in German; English translation forthcoming)
→ Read the blog article about personality tests

The test taker completes an online questionnaire consisting of 144 self-descriptive statements about everyday behaviors, attitudes and habits. The algorithm calculates the expression across all 16 life motives and generates the ID37 personality profile and interactive analysis report, which explains what the expressions mean. Additionally, the AI coach can be used for profile interpretation. It works on the basis of individual motive profiles and is trained on the ID37 model. For maximum quality and responsible interpretation, test takers book an analysis session with an ID37 Master.

→ Take the ID37 personality test
→ Find an ID37 Master

Completing the ID37 personality test takes approximately 25–30 minutes. This can be done conveniently on a computer, tablet or smartphone. Interruption is possible – progress is saved. For meaningful results, test takers should complete the test in a quiet environment without distractions. When questions are answered spontaneously, without overthinking, an authentic and honest personality profile is generated.

→ Take the ID37 personality test

The ID37 personality test currently costs €119 including VAT. This includes the online questionnaire, the interactive analysis report, lifetime access to the personality profile and the services and tools on the ID37 platform. Additional services such as a personal analysis session with an ID37 Master or the AI coach are optionally available. The ID37 AI coach currently costs €5 per month, plus VAT. Payment is made via PayPal or credit card. Special conditions are available for teams and companies.

→ Purchase the test on id37.io
→ Learn more about the AI coach

Once is usually sufficient. The 16 life motives are largely stable. Personality stabilizes in its fundamental features in early childhood and remains largely constant from adolescence onwards. The high reliability and contemporary, valid norming of the ID37 test procedure are based on this assumed stability over longer periods. Repeating the test may be useful after significant life events. The test measures not moods but fundamental drives.

In short: The profile remains meaningful long-term, even when behavior and circumstances change.

→ Take the ID37 personality test

ID37 is suitable for anyone who wants to better understand themselves and others. Individuals use the test for self-reflection and personal development. Teams analyze their collaboration and resolve conflicts. Leaders learn to guide employees individually. Coaches and consultants use ID37 as part of their professional work. Using the tool, they can conduct a precise assessment of their clients' current situation and develop targeted measures and interventions. Companies integrate the method into their HR development. It supports throughout the entire employee life cycle.

In short: ID37 helps everywhere people live and work together.

→ Learn more about ID37 in the world of work
→ Watch the 4-minute explainer video (English subtitles)

Companies, coaches and individuals report that the ID37 personality assessment is particularly precise, understandable and practical for everyday use. The IT company MaibornWolff, for example, successfully uses ID37 for self-organization. VR Bank Nord successfully uses ID37 for leadership development. Coaches and consultants use the method in individual coaching and team building.

Users describe it as a valuable tool for increasing self-awareness and self-direction that helps better understand and shape personal intrinsic motivations, behavioral patterns and team dynamics. They appreciate the deep yet easily understandable analysis of the 16 life motives, which provides a foundation for development processes, better communication and conflict resolution.

Particularly highlighted are the scientific foundation (development with the University of Luxembourg), the clarity of motive evaluations, the high practical relevance in analysis sessions with ID37 Masters and the innovative support through AI coach Jay.

→ Best Practice Case Self-Organization
→ Best Practice Case Team-Development
→ Customer testimonials
→ About the scientific foundation of ID37

The ID37 platform offers the ID37 personality test as an online questionnaire, an interactive analysis report with profile graphic and lifetime access to the personality profile. Through their personal account and dashboard, users can access the following additional services:

• Network function: Share motive profile with others to make commonalities, differences and potential conflict areas visible.
• Team analysis: Get an overview of the motive profiles of all team members. Recognize commonalities, differences and team dynamics.
• AI Coach Jay: A digital chatbot that provides personalized explanations, reflection prompts and action ideas based on the ID37 motive profile.

The cloud-based solution runs on all devices and is securely hosted in German data centers. The platform enables digital and always-available personal development.

→ Watch the 4-minute explainer video (English subtitles)
→ Watch the "ID37 Account" explainer video (English subtitles)
→ Watch the "My Network" explainer video (English subtitles)
→ Watch the "My Teams" explainer video (English subtitles)
→ Watch the "AI Coach Jay" explainer video (English subtitles)

Jay is an AI-powered coach that provides personalized recommendations based on the science-backed ID37 personality profile and encourages reflection. The chatbot analyzes the motive structure, shows individual paths for development, supports conflict resolution and assists with questions about career, relationships and self-direction. Jay is trained on the ID37 personality model and combines its specialized knowledge with the unlimited information pool of an underlying AI model. The AI coach is available around the clock and complements work with human coaches, particularly in personality and team development.

→ Learn more about the AI coach
→ Watch the "AI Coach Jay" explainer video (English subtitles)