That’s the news from University of New Hampshire researchers who found that movie lovers possess similar traits as the film characters they’re drawn to. For instance, if your favorite movie character is a…
* Sage, magicians or creator: You enjoy learning about the world and teaching others what you know.
* Caregiver or lover: You’re compassionate, devoted and generous.
* Hero or ruler: You have big goals and work steadfastly to overcome any obstacle to achieve them.
* Outlaw or shadowy figure: You like to buck trends and do things your own way.
* The “everyman” or carefree explorer: You’re friendly, open and down to Earth.

A recent study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience that compared the personality traits and brain function of 300 people reveals distinct differences among cell phone users. The researchers found that, if you use your your cell phone so much that it’s practically glued to your hand, you’re probably an extrovert who enjoys going to events, traveling and meeting new people  Don’t use it so much? Then you’re likely more of an introvert who enjoys close-to-home activities with a close-knit circle of friends. Also revealed in this study: Frequent cell phone users are better at focusing their attention than non-users—a skill honed by having to filter out noise and distractions while chatting on the phone.

[photo: Maria Beliakova]

Are you the eldest sibling in your family? The baby? Born somewhere in the middle? An only child? A twin (like me)? According to research by Kevin Leman, Ph.D., author of The Birth Order Book: Why You Are the Way You Are, your birth order has a powerful impact on your personality traits, talents and goals. “The way you interacted with your parents and siblings as a child based on your position in your family has a profound impact on who you are today,” he explains. So, what does the position you take in your family reveal about positions you take in life?

If you’re: The first-born
You’re a driven perfectionist
Being the first child of the family isn’t enough—you strive to be first in everything else you do, too. Luckily, reaching your many ambitious goals is easy thanks to your organizational skills, intense focus and ability to shoulder lots of responsibility—traits you no doubt honed while pitching in to take care of younger siblings. Parents are typically more cautious with first-borns, which plays a part in why you tend not to rush into anything new—like buying a new car or appliance—without doing your homework first. Of course, with your high standards, you also want to make sure you’re getting only the very best.

If you’re: A middle child
You’re a peace maker
“Squeezed between one or more older and younger siblings, you automatically become more flexible and diplomatic as you strive for balance and harmony in the family,” says Leman. So, it’s no wonder you’re the one who can broker peace between anybody, intuitively knowing exactly what each person needs to be happy. You’re a loyal and dependable friend, but, interestingly, you also pride yourself on your independence and self-reliance, preferring to achieve your dreams on your own by relying on your widely varied talents and ingenuity.

If you’re: The youngest child
You’re a fun free spirit
Charming, chatty, affectionate and artistic, you’re the born entertainer of the family, shining brightest when the spotlight is squarely on you. “Your humor and story-telling ability—which made you a hit at the dinner table—makes you the life of any party,” says Leman. By the way, these same skills also make you a master salesperson, successful at selling products or pitching projects to your boss or investors who can make your one-of-a-kind visions come to life. Despite having older sibling to show you the ropes, you prefer to break with tradition and do things your own way.

 If you’re: An only child
You’re a creative sage
Wise beyond your years, you’re a mature, sophisticated person who surprises everyone with your colorful imagination. In fact, years spent entertaining yourself alone in your bedroom now give you the impressive ability to come up with novel ideas and creative solutions in a flash, says Leman. Even though you excel on your own, truth is, you enjoy being part of a team effort and crave the company of others. Knowing first-hand how wonderful it feels to be doted on, you’ve got a generous nature and big heart, with the urge to splurge on those you love most.

If you’re: A twin
You’re an explorer
As a twin, finding your own identity is key, so it’s no surprise that you’re an avid adventurer, often making others marvel at all the new and unusual activities you try. You wouldn’t trade anything for the tight-knit bond you have with your twin, but you’re also fiercely competitive with him or her—and everyone else for that matter—ready to prove how well you can outdo them all. Having had a shoulder to lean on all these years makes it effortless for you to share your feelings. This makes you an invaluable comfort to others who feel they can also open up to you and share their deepest thoughts and wishes.

Here’s a surprise: What you like to drink reveals a lot about your eating habits, researchers report in the journal Food Quality and Preference. According to their recent study, if you prefer your wine on the sweet side, you tend to snack in-between meals and stick to foods you know and love. If you favor a dry drink, you prefer to eat only at regular mealtimes and enjoy sampling exotic new cuisines.

[photo: Irina Slutsky]

About to make a decision, such as what to eat or what color to paint the living room? Strange as it sounds, your choice may be affected by what movie you just saw. In a recent University of Minnesota study, people who watched a romantic film were far more likely to make unsual and exotic choices right afterward—such as trying a new kind of food or picking a vibrant color to repaint the living room—while folks who watched a scary movie were far more likely to make popular choices afterward—for instance, going to a restaurant that all their friends love or picking a traditional paint color. Turns out, romantic storylines subconsciously activate a desire in us to feel unique and stand out in a crowd while fright flicks activate feelings of wanting to be safe and secure and do what everybody else is doing.

[photo: Charkrem]

Do you throw your bowl of popcorn in the air when someone unexpectedly knocks at the door while you’re watching a scary movie? Leap out of bed when there’s a sudden loud noise in the middle of the night? If so, you could have a gene that makes you more easily startled than other folks, according to recent research in the journal Behavioral Neuroscience. When scientists studied the fear responses of nearly 100 women, they found that those who got startled more frequently and had a more exaggerated reaction than others had a certain type of the COMT gene that resulted in higher levels of dopamine, a brain chemical that makes people more wary of their environment and amps up their emotional reaction when afraid, the researchers say.

[photo: andrew_mc_d]

Struggling over making a big change—for instance, switching careers, moving to a new town or going back to school? Find out which choice is the best by taking free online personality tests that reveal which people, places, jobs and goals make you happiest. Start by…
* Finding your top personality traits. After answering a series of questions about your daily habits and beliefs at signalpatterns.com/personality_survey, you’ll get a detailed report revealing how adventurous, sociable, creative, organized and passionate you are.
* Learning what makes you tick. Psychometricshapes.co.uk uses a personality assessment based on the widely respected symbolism research of famed Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, M.D., to show you why you are like you are, for instance, why you’re messy or organized, you enjoy being part of a group or relating to others one-on-one, or why you prefer working in a large company or heading up your own business. 
* Discovering your goals. By simply choosing which colors make you feel best at colorquiz.com, you’ll find out the goals that are most important to you and the challenges you need to overcome to reach them.

[photo: Dano]

As you trim your Christmas tree this year, keep this little fact in mind: The choices you make say more about you than just your taste in ornaments. “The decorations you select can reveal more about your personality than anything you would say in conversation,” says personality psychologist Sam Gosling, Ph.D., author of Snoop: What Your Stuff Says About You. So, whether you prefer a tree with every light and ribbon perfectly in place or a wild assortment of ornaments that include everything but the kitchen sink, read on to discover what secrets your Christmas tree reveals about your personality…

 If your tree has…
* Lights that are all one color
* Bows, balls and other adornments that coordinate perfectly
* Ornaments positioned in just the right spots
You’re a disciplined go-getter!
Sophisticated, organized and always right on time, you were born with the kind of single-minded determination that makes others awestruck. In fact, your picture-perfect tree mirrors your perfectionist habits: “You approach tasks with focus, work efficiently and refuse to be distracted until your projects are complete and every detail falls neatly into place,” says Gosling. Tackling every goal with grace, you make reaching even your most toweringly lofty aims appear effortless.

If your tree has…
* Multi-colored, blinking lights
* Vacation souvenirs, toys and other unique ornaments
* An unusual tree topper
You’re an idea generator!
An imaginative and quick-witted social butterfly, you surprise and delight friends and strangers with your charming humor and clever ideas. “You have creativity oozing out of every pore and are always looking for new ways to express it—just look at Christmas tree!” says Gosling. No wonder you’re the go-to girl for out-of-the-box ideas and swift solutions to nagging problems. Others may get a bit frustrated by your tendency to arrive late or be a tad disorganized—but it’s this very free-spiritedness and lack of rigidity that keep your creative fires burning.

If your tree has…
* Heirlooms that have been passed down through the family
* Ornaments that have been picked out by your kids
* Photos of loved ones
You’re a compassionate confidante!
Just as your tree is crowded with mementos of family and friends, you enjoy having loved ones around you and can make just about anyone feel at home in your warm, generous and comforting presence. The result? Everyone comes to you first for friendly advice. But, as sweet as you are, they shouldn’t expect sugar-coating, warns Gosling. Frank and sincere, you prefer to dole out the truth—though with your kind-hearted manner, it never comes across as overly blunt. It’s this delicate balance that wins over the hearts of practically everyone you meet.

If your tree has…
* A single theme, such snowflakes or Santa, or a single color
* Collectibles you’ve painstakingly amassed over the years
* Ornaments that match other holiday decorations around your home
You’re a curious adventurer!
Like a super-sleuth, you’re inquisitive, have an eye for detail and are always looking for the next exciting caper. And while you’re a whiz at adapting to new places and picking up new customs with ease, you secretly prefer the tried-and-true comfort of home, says Gosling. In fact, it’s your very longing for home while away that spurs you to seek out new additions to old collections. Of course, once you return home, your restless spirit soon kicks in, spurring your wanderlust to explore the world again.

If your tree has…
* Ornaments that you crafted by hand
* Strings of popcorn that you popped or cookies that you baked
* Faux snow or glitter that you sprayed on its pine needles
You’re an on-the-go dynamo!
Your hands-on approach doesn’t apply only to tree decorations—you enjoy channeling your unbridled energy and enthusiasm into lots of home and art projects to keep your buzzing mind busy. Not one to be slowed down by obstacles large or small, your practical down-to-Earth attitude keeps you moving forward and open to suddenly changing your plans to get the job done. That’s not to say you’re not emotional—truth is, you’re deeply in touch with your sensitive side and are comfortable wearing your heart on your sleeve, letting every feeling show. It’s what gives you the unique intuitive ability to know what someone else is thinking just by looking at them.

[photo: bwhistler]