Light Triad Test

The IDRlabs Light Triad Test (IDR-LTT) was developed by IDRlabs. The IDR-LTT is based on the work of Laura Johnson, who created the Light Triad Scale. The IDR-LTT is not associated with any specific researchers in the field of psychopathology or any affiliated research institutions.

The IDRlabs Light Triad Test was informed by the Light Triad Scale’s criteria for prosocial orientation, as published in Johnson, Laura K.D., "The Light Triad Scale: Developing and Validating a Preliminary Measure of Prosocial Orientation" (2018). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 5515. Johnson, L. (2018). The Light Triad Scale: Developing and Validating a Preliminary Measure of Prosocial Orientation. Research on the light triad is also published in Kaufman, S., Yaden, D., Hyde, E., & Tsukayama, E. (2019) The light vs. dark triad of personality: Contrasting two very different profiles of human nature. Frontiers in Psychology.

The traits measured by the test are as follows:

Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another. People who score high on empathy are sensitive to the feelings of others and tend to resonate strongly with other people’s emotional states. Studies have shown that empathy is positively related to prosocial behaviors. That is, people who resonate with the feelings of others are also more likely to offer a helping hand, whether practically, therapeutically, or emotionally.

Compassion: The tendency to experience sympathy, pity, and concern for those who are suffering. Compassionate individuals readily notice when others are troubled and react with the kindness and consideration that is appropriate to reduce their suffering. Moreover, compassionate individuals understand that suffering is a universal component of the human experience and exhibit a nonjudgmental understanding of those who are struggling.

Altruism: The propensity to show disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others. Altruistic individuals tend to experience feelings of warmth after doing something good for others and are often strongly motivated to do good without expecting anything in return. As such, they are often seen as generous, helpful, and kind.

Johnson’s work has also informed the diagnostic criteria in the form of the psychological instrument, the Light Triad Scale, for psychometric use especially by qualified mental health professionals. The present test is intended for educational purposes only. IDRlabs and the present IDRlabs Light Triad Test are independent of the above researchers, organizations, or their affiliated institutions.

The Light Triad Test is based on a famous and well-regarded inventory for the assessment of prosocial orientation. However, free online tests and quizzes such as this one are solely first takes and cannot provide accurate assessments of your potential condition. Hence, the test is intended to be used for educational purposes only. A definitive personality assessment can be made only by a pertinent professional.

As the publishers of this free online Light Triad Test, which allows you to screen yourself for the indicators of empathy, compassion, and altruism, we have strived to make the test as reliable and valid as possible by subjecting it to statistical controls and validation. However, free online quizzes such as the present Light Triad Test do not provide professional assessments or recommendations of any kind; the test is provided entirely “as-is.” For more information about any of our online tests and quizzes, please consult our Terms of Service.