Harry Potter Quiz Links Personality Traits to Entrepreneurship

Research from the University of Amsterdam suggests that taking a Harry Potter house quiz may provide insights into one’s entrepreneurial potential. The study analyzed personality types associated with the four Hogwarts houses: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw, finding that individuals identifying with Gryffindor and Slytherin traits are more likely to pursue business ventures.

According to Martin Obschonka, the lead author and professor of entrepreneurship at the university, both Gryffindors and Slytherins share a willingness to challenge authority, a characteristic linked to entrepreneurial success. “In the Harry Potter world itself, Gryffindor and Slytherin are quite different morally,” he stated. “But they are similar in one important way—both houses are defined by a willingness to challenge rules and authority.” This finding was recently published in the journal Small Business Economics.

Link Between Personality and Start-Ups

The research utilized data from a popular online quiz featured in TIME Magazine, with nearly 800,000 participants. The team segmented the results by U.S. regions known as Metropolitan Statistical Areas and examined the correlation between the prevalence of each Hogwarts house and the number of start-ups in those areas.

Regions with higher numbers of Gryffindor and Slytherin individuals exhibited approximately a seven percent increase in start-up density compared to regions with fewer individuals from these houses. In a follow-up study, the researchers surveyed a representative group of 820 U.S. residents who had taken the Harry Potter quiz, asking about their entrepreneurial aspirations. The results indicated that those identifying as Gryffindors or Slytherins expressed a stronger desire to start their own businesses.

Understanding Different Types of Rule-Breaking

The study differentiates between two types of deviance associated with these personalities. Gryffindors typically exhibit what researchers term “bright deviance,” which relates to rule-breaking motivated by moral conviction and a desire to do what is right. In contrast, Slytherins embody “dark deviance,” where rule-bending is driven by ambition and strategic competitiveness. Despite their differing motivations, both personality types can lead to entrepreneurship.

These findings resonate with the long-standing theory of entrepreneurship proposed by economist Joseph Schumpeter, which posits that entrepreneurs often thrive by challenging established norms.

While Gryffindors and Slytherins have shown a clear connection to entrepreneurial activity, the study found that traits associated with Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws do not correlate as strongly with starting a business. According to Obschonka, Hufflepuffs’ emphasis on loyalty and hard work may deter them from taking the risks necessary for entrepreneurship. Similarly, while Ravenclaw traits such as creativity and knowledge are valuable, they do not guarantee success in business.

Obschonka emphasizes the significance of these findings, stating, “these findings matter because they challenge the idea that there is only one good entrepreneurial personality.” Instead, he argues that various character types can succeed as long as they are willing to challenge societal rules in some capacity.

The implications of this research extend beyond entrepreneurship. Individuals with rule-challenging personalities often emerge in various fields, including politics and public institutions, influencing decisions that impact society at large. Obschonka advocates for a deeper appreciation of popular fictional literature, like Harry Potter, as a source of insight into human character and motivation, suggesting that such narratives offer valuable lessons about how people relate to authority.

As entrepreneurship continues to evolve, understanding the diverse traits that contribute to it could encourage a broader range of individuals to engage in business ventures, ultimately enriching the entrepreneurial landscape.