More Common Questions about the Core Values Index Psychometric Assessment

A growing number of people are discovering the unprecedented accuracy and reliability of the Core Values Index™ psychometric assessment. They are experiencing the value it provides in the workplace and in their personal lives.

There are some common questions we get, however, from those new to the CVI. This article addresses some of the more recent questions we've received from those who have spent the 8-10 minutes to complete their assessment.

---

Can a child inherit their parent's CVI profile?

Data suggests that there is no discernible genetic or other biological connection between a parent and their child that can determine or influence the child's CVI profile. In fact, in the famous question of "nature vs. nurture," we also see no evidence that the way a child is raised will directly determine their profile, either. In essence, an individual's CVI profile is appears to be fixed at birth.

Do people have different CVI profiles at work or school compared to at home?

This is one of the more common questions we hear, typically phrased as an assumption of fact. The myth goes something like, "I'm not the same person at home as I am at work." Although not technically true, it is quite common for people to behave differently based on where they are and who they are with.

Different behavior isn't the same as different hardwiring.

Myth: "I'm not the same person at home as I am at work."

For example, if Barbara is a 28-Builder/21-Merchant while her co-worker Bob is a 25-Builder/23-Merchant, he will intuitively sense that Barbara has more Builder energy than him and he will act more within his Merchant core value energy when around her. Both Barbara and Bob's personality profiles — their hardwiring — remain the same, but they will access different aspects of their individual profiles based on the circumstance.

Accessing other core value energies within your profile other than your primary is actually a very useful skill to develop. To some extent this happens automatically based on the situation, but being able to do so deliberately and knowingly can be profoundly useful.

Can you deliberately make your CVI profile change?

As noted in the previous question, it is not only possible but sometimes desirable for someone to access other aspects of their Core Values Index psychometric profile. However, your innate profile is fixed throughout your life. You can't change your ratio of core value energies nor can you develop or reduce any of them over time.

Think of it like having four different tools in your toolbox. You tend to use the same tool for most things, but with some practice you can grab a different tool when the need arrises. Your particular toolbox never changes, however.

You can tap into different parts of your psychometric profile, but that profile will remain the same throughout your life.

Are some core value energies incompatible with others? Are there opposites?

The four core value energies are represented in a 2x2 grid, which visually can give some people the impression that two of those energies are opposed based on their position on that grid. For example, when viewing the standard CVI quadrant graph, we see that Merchant and Banker are diagonally opposite each other, as are Builder and Innovator. Does this mean they are opposites in behavior?

Despite the physical arrangement of the core values quadrant graph, there is no direct manifestation of opposing core value energies. Each is its own independent aspect of a person's personality and has no opposite.

Is it impossible for someone with a CVI profile of X to do job Y?

There are few absolutes when it comes to people's personalities, and the Core Values Index is no exception. In the real lives of most individuals, there are no impossibilities when it comes to psychometric ability. In essence, except in some individuals where mental illness plays a dominant role, there is nothing that is impossible per se.

In the real lives of most individuals, there are no impossibilities when it comes to psychometric ability.

However, there is a big difference between what is possible and what is appropriate or likely. There might be tasks or activities that would be profoundly pleasant and enjoyable to one person yet debilitatingly unpleasant to someone else, even though they could still engage in that activity if they had to.

One way to think about the CVI is that it measures and represents the kind of activities that make you happy. It measures happiness, not aptitude.

This begs the point, however, that it's often much more challenging for someone to get really good at doing something they despise.

→ See Are You a Reluctant Hero?

Does a person's CVI profile change as they get older?

Longitudinal studies have shown that a person's CVI profile will vary by less than 3% when taking the assessment at different stages of their life. This strongly suggests that your CVI profile will not substantively change as you get older.

Can couples stay together even if they have completely different CVI profiles?

Two people with very different CVI profiles will have very different perspectives influencing how they see the world as well as the kind of things they enjoy doing.

We consulted relationship experts with advanced training in the Core Values Index and found that couples with wildly different CVI profiles can still have productive and happy long-term relationships. But there's a catch.

→ See Q&A About Relationships and the Core Values Index

Two people with very different CVI profiles will have very different perspectives influencing how they see the world as well as the kind of things they enjoy doing. They will also communicate in different ways and prefer that people communicate with them in different ways.

This means they have a bit more work to do in order to stay compatible. Here's how.

For couples to get along, they must first know and understand each other's CVI profile, and then seek to honor and lift up their partner's hardwiring rather than fight against it. If someone is very different than you, your relationship will suffer if you keep expecting them to be like you. Getting rid of that expectation is a huge step in the right direction.

Adequate knowledge of the CVI in general and the honoring of your partner's specific psychometric profile is the key.

Are people with certain CVI profiles better judges of character or more intuitive than others?

Each core value energy has its own superpower of sorts, and those with high Merchant scores are by far the most intuitive of the four. They pick up on non-verbal cues and communication better than most people, and it is very difficult to lie to a Merchant without them at least sensing the presence of deception.

Builders are the most likely to use their personal superpower of motivation and faith that they will know what to do to get things done. Innovators won't rest until they find the answer to life's biggest challenges. Bankers can be relied upon to either have the data and information you need, or know where to look it up.

Everyone is unique, empowered by the combination of their CVI profile's innate hardwiring and their life's experiences. Everyone has something valuable to offer.

What is your CVI superpower?

---

Core Values Index™ and CVI™ are trademarks of Taylor Protocols, Inc.