Methods & evidence

Where the questions come from.

A useful reflection should make its reasoning visible. Research about a topic does not automatically validate a questionnaire about that topic.

Know Thyself

The 50 statements are adapted from the public-domain IPIP Big Five markers. Each result shows the answers contributing to its dimension. First-person wording and typography have been adapted; the source key is retained.

Original items and scoring key · Permission and public-domain status

The site’s score display, contextual explanations and practical suggestions are separate design choices. They are not diagnoses, population percentiles or independently validated predictions.

Our custom reflection tools

Pattern Mirror, Relationship Reflection and Kink Discovery use questions written for this project. Their source ledger records every bank definition, response option, clarification and relationship subpart, including held items. It identifies what each answer can change and what it cannot establish.

These are structured reflection tools. They have not undergone independent psychometric validation. A skipped answer is not a hidden trait. Response coverage describes how much you answered, not how certain a conclusion is.

Kink Discovery separates fantasy, curiosity, desired practice, history, present interest and boundaries. De Neef and colleagues’ review provides background on the varied research in this area. It does not validate our questions or establish that a particular activity is safe or beneficial.

The two-person matrix uses only a limited projection of mutually shareable interests. An omitted theme does not tell you why it was omitted. No result establishes permission or consent.

What remains to be tested

Independent content review, interviews about how people understand the questions, accessibility studies and outcome research are separate from software testing. We have prepared a review protocol; we have not substituted automated checks for participant findings.

AI may help explain an approved result. It cannot change your answers or scores, establish who you “really” are, or resolve missing evidence. You can use the deterministic results without requesting AI.

Explore the assessments