What Does Your Computer Desktop Reveal About You

Careful how you organize your computer desktop – it could say a lot about yourself. A recent study into desktop psychology by Microsoft found that your personality, habits and even ambition could be revealed by examining your computer screen.

Donna Dawson, a psychologist who conducted the study, looked at a range of office workers’ desktops to find clues about the user’s personality. According to Dawson, personalities can be divided into seven categories: Generic, Specific place; Goal-orientated; Trophy; Escapist; Artistic and Sociable.

She said: “Our desktops are our personal space and as such provide a fairly accurate personality description of an individual.” For example, having lots icons on your desktop could indicate a person is disorganized and possibly insecure. People with desktop pictures displaying their past successes, meanwhile, risk revealing their egocentric side to co-workers.

Here are a few clues as to what your computer desktop might reveal about you:

• Desktop with icons strewn across the screen – the person is disorganized and tends to lose focus easily.
• Even icons on each side of the screen – the owner values balance and proportion and probably keeps a cool head in heated situations. This person is likely to be organized and dislike clutter.
• Desktop with many rows of icons – reflects someone who needs to feel in control and on top of their life, but who is also slightly disorganized.
• Personal photos as wallpaper – this indicates the kind of person you are and what priorities you have. If you are a parent you may have a photo of your kid, or if you’re an avid globetrotter you may have a photo of some exotic locale. People with photos of friends indicates their popularity, which can be useful in situations where you need good people skills.
• Plain blue wallpaper – reveals a person who likes to keep their personal life private.
• Trophy photos as wallpaper – suggest someone with a big ego who focuses on their past successes.

So what’s on your desktop? Does it accurately reflect your personality?

via: Daily Telegraph