Paper clips reveal your personality

Are you straight, crooked, screwy? It’s all right there on your desk

Are your paper clips twisted? Then maybe your personality is, too. A Swiss psychologist has discovered that the shapes into which people bend and squeeze paper clips provide surprising insights into who they are, according to his new book. “They can be a psychological profile of who you are,” said Mario Gmür, author of “The Paperclip Test: A Personality Quiz Like No Other” (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), coming out Tuesday. “It can show if you’re dominant or submissive, or if you aree more selfish or altruistic.” Gmür was inspired to do his study after seeing a pile off paper clips that had been bent by his patients. “Normally, I’d throw the paper clips away but though they’d make for a very good piece of art,” Gmür says. “But then I thought that this [book] would be interesting.” He then compared the paper clips to his patient profiles, to determine which personality traits coincided with the metallic sculptures’ shapes. Read on to see what your paper-clip masterpiece says about you, according to Gmür’s observations from the book.

The Pyromaniac You avoid the limelight, but you love nothing more than a drama. You sit quietly at the back, biding your time. Then, when no one expects it, you wrest control with a sudden rush of energy, like a volcano waking from its slumber and spewing magma for miles around. You have the potential to light a fire, then book yourself a front-row seat to watch the world burn. The Hulk You like to stick wwith things as they are, making changes only when absolutely necessary. You respect other people and their work, and you do not seek to impose your creative vision or plans. It does not occur to you to adapt existing objects and use them for new purposes; you see value in their intended function and original design. Appearances are not important to you, and you have little time for purely ornamental features. Simple shapes appeal more to you than complex figures, and decorative flourishes arouse suspicion. he Natural Host You are trusting, unassuming and openhearted. You do not cut yourself off from the world, and you have nothing to hide. You leave your doors unlocked and your windows open; you do not fear thieves. You are a natural and spontaneous host who makes everyone feel welcome. You prefer not to draw attention to your accomplishments. You celebrate living rather than achieving. Theh Nosy Parker

You do not wish to rise above others; you like to dwell among peaceful plains and shaded valleys. In your eyes, the still waters of a lake are more appealing than the towering summits of snow-clad mountains. But you are drawn to other people’s secrets, and the pleasure you take in quiet contemplation also has a darker side. You like to eavesdrop and snoop, whether for the thrill of it or because you stand to gain. You would make an excellent informant for office gossips

— or the Secret Service. The Homebird Stability and roots are more important to you than status or professional success. Things do not have to be big or bold for you to appreciate them. You favor quirky charm over pompous sophistication. You are not easily impressed or overawed, and it is not in your nature to be elitist: You give a fair chance to any endeavor that is serious and honest. Small creatures bring out your protective instincts. Family is your refuge. The Seducer You are the golden child, everybody’s darling, and you bask in this glow. People do not resent you for your vanity and pride. They see you as the charming girl next door, or the perfect son- in-law. You have the strength and poise to assert yourself when necessary, and the whole world is at your feet. Occasionally, you are criticized for beingbe smug, but most of the time, you can do no wrong. Procrastinator Your thoughts are geared toward the future. You want to move forward, but at the same time, you feel uncomfortable about pursuing your ambitions too directly or single-mindedly, and instead of accelerating, you brake or reverse. Your ideas are ambitious and worthwhile, but you lack confidence and allow yourself to be thrown off course. You are constantly at risk of losing momentum. The Partygoer Full of natural exuberance, you skip through life — at times a little too carelessly. You are sociable, energetic and outgoing, and you love a bit of small talk. You fit in anywhere and with anyone, happy to jump on the bandwagon. Easygoing and generous in your interactions, you meet new people all the time. You don’t weigh your words before you speak, and you area not pedantic. Th he Social Climber Motivated, determined and dependable, you are the sort of person who everyone wants to have around. You work hard and with integrity to achieve your goals. Moving step by step, you check off each stage until you reach the top. Before you start working on the next task, you make sure that the current one is watertight. Fairminded and polite. Enfant Terrible You like to shock, provoke and dumbfound — at times really go to town. You would be happier playing a drum kit than a harp. You’re ever the enfant terrible. Your tomfoolery commands the full attention of your public. You’re not picky: You rarely turn down material for your antics, and you seize any opportunity to perform. In the playground, at least, you are king. Excerpted from “The Paperclip Test: A Personality Quiz Like No Other” by Mario Gmür. Copyright © 2016 by Mario Gmür. Used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.