The ID37 book

The ID37 personality assessment is a scientifically validated test that measures 16 life motives. These motives drive our behavior – unconsciously and throughout our lives. The assessment generates an individual personality profile that reveals what truly motivates you. Unlike typology tests, ID37 does not categorize people into boxes but instead maps each person's unique motive structure. The result: deep self-understanding and targeted personal development. The ID37 personality assessment is successfully used in coaching, leadership development, HR diagnostics and personal orientation.

→ Take the ID37 personality test
→ Watch the 4-minute explainer video (English subtitles)

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.
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→ 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

The ID37 personality profile displays the expression of the 16 life motives – ranging from high to average to low. It explains what drives a person, what gives them energy and what they avoid. The profile makes visible why a person reacts the way they do in certain situations. It does not categorize but maps the unique motive structure, makes needs understandable and enables individuals to work on their development in a targeted manner.

→ Watch the 4-minute explainer video (English subtitles)

The ID37 profile serves as an individual compass for decisions. It forms the foundation for effective self-direction, emotion regulation and personal development. The ID37 profile specifically supports:

1. Self-awareness and goal setting: Through knowledge of the 16 life motives and their individual expressions, each person recognizes what truly matters to them in life. It shows where a person is intrinsically motivated and can consistently perform at their best with ease.

2. Emotion and stress management: With their ID37 profile, individuals learn to recognize their emotional patterns and identify trigger points. This enables them to anticipate and regulate emotions, break out of stimulus-response patterns and create space for finding solutions.

3. Relationships and conflict resolution: Self-awareness based on motives helps understand why other people are different. This understanding helps avoid and resolve conflicts and shape relationships harmoniously. The success factor: accepting others as they are.

4. Managing perception: The ID37 profile makes "blind spots" visible – the characteristics a person does not perceive in themselves.

The AI coach supports profiled individuals in training their soft skills based on real psychometric data.

→ Watch the 4-minute explainer video (English subtitles)

Yes, ID37 is based on modern test development and meets high psychometric standards. The method was developed at the University of Luxembourg. It utilizes current findings from motivational psychology and personality research. Unlike outdated typologies such as MBTI or DISC, ID37 explains the causes of behavior – not just its surface. The quality criteria of objectivity, reliability and validity are scientifically documented.

→ Download the scientific manual (currently available in German; English translation forthcoming)

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

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)

The ID37 personality assessment serves as a well-founded coordinate system that reveals what truly matters to a person in their (professional) life through the identification of the 16 life motives. In career planning, the profile helps choose professional roles and work environments that match one's own drive structure – which is the prerequisite for lasting performance and satisfaction. Additionally, discrepancies between personal goals and role requirements can be specifically identified and tailored development strategies derived. The self-knowledge gained enables making decisions aligned with one's own identity, thus securing long-term personal success.

In short: For career decisions, ID37 helps avoid wrong decisions.

→ Best Practice Case Self-Guidance

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ID37 makes corporate culture measurable. Based on the motive structures of employees, leaders and teams, companies can recognize which values are actually lived. In change processes, it can be determined why resistance arises. With ID37, drivers and blockers can be identified. Based on the 16 life motives, motive constellations, communication and work preferences become transparent, which can be specifically considered in change processes, culture development and people & culture measures. The ID37 AI coach is valuable: It supports employees in individually mastering change processes – as a valuable complement, not a replacement for human consulting.

ID37 supports organizations in unlocking potential, securing motivation long-term and establishing a fair, diversity-conscious corporate culture.

→ Get in touch

ID37 does not measure leadership suitability directly. It shows how a person can lead effectively. ID37 measures 16 life motives and makes visible what truly drives, stresses or repels a leader. There is no ideal profile for leadership – effective leaders can have very different motive constellations. What matters is the ability for self-awareness and self-direction: Those who know their motives can consciously align their leadership style, purposefully use their potential and reflect on risks. The ID37 profile is a foundation for modern, reflective and context-appropriate leadership – without categorizing boxes, but based on psychometric data.