I've just tried this test on a number of people, and it appears to have a very good degree of accuracy, so could it work out who is the best date for you?

Helen Fisher has just released a book called "Why Him? Why her? Finding Real Love by Understanding Your Personality Type" (available at Amazon) which breaks people down into four personality types. These types are the result of studying just how much the predominant chemicals in our brains play in determining personality, so is very much at a physical level, and not a psychological level, which I tend to believe more when applied to online dating.

The four types are:

• dopamine = Explorers (spontaneous and seek novelty)
• serotonin = Builders (social and cautious but not fearful)
• testosterone = Directors (decisive and emotionally contained)
• oestrogen = Negotiators (see the big picture and have strong verbal skills)

So our chemical make-up determines who we are attracted to (and want to date!) naturally: Explorers and Builders tend to stick to their own kind, while Directors and Negotiators tend to go for each other.

Immediately, you can understand how each type fits together, and knowing a person's type means that you can learn how to talk to them differently. for example, a Director - its best to ask them what they think, and not how they feel. Vice versa for a Negotiator. Obviously we all exhibit factors from all types, but you can take this test below to see what your overriding factor is:

Note your answer to each question.
SD = strongly disagree, D = disagree, A = agree, SA = strongly agree

Scale 1

1. I do things on the spur of the moment. SD, D, A, SA
2. I have a very wide range of interests. SD, D, A, SA
3. I have more energy than most people. SD, D, A, SA

TOTAL: _______

Scale 2

1. People should behave according to established standards of proper conduct. SD, D, A, SA
2. In general, I think it is important to follow rules. SD, D, A, SA
3. My friends and family would say that I have traditional values. SD, D, A, SA

TOTAL: _______

Scale 3

1. I am more analytical and logical than most people. SD, D, A, SA
2. I am able to solve problems without letting emotion get in the way. SD, D, A, SA
3. I like to figure out how things work. SD, D, A, SA

TOTAL: _______

Scale 4

1. II like to get to know my friends' deepest needs and feelings. SD, D, A, SA
2. I frequently catch myself daydreaming. SD, D, A, SA
3. After watching an emotional film I often still feel moved by it several hours later. SD, D, A, SA

TOTAL: _______

Scoring
Give yourself 0 point for each answer of "strongly disagree". 1 point for each answer of "disagree", 2 points for each answer of "agree" and 3 points for each answer of "strongly agree". Then add up the number of points in each of the four scales, but do not add all the points of all scales together.

Scale 1 measures the degree to which you are an Explorer. Scales 2 measure the degree to which you are a Builder. Scale 3 measures the degree to which you are a Director. Scale 4 measures the degree to which you are a Negotiator.

The scales with the two top scores are your primary and secondary types. Explorers and Builders should dates their own kind, while Directors and Negotiators should go for each other.

How did you score?
What personality type are you? Does it correspond to who you are dating - or who you are looking to date?

This test is really interesting because it recognises certain personality types should go with their own, and others with their opposite. Overwhelmingly in online dating its important to find someone who complements you - both in your personality type, and in the physical sense!