The Identification of Weakness: A Psycho Historical Analysis of Tsar Nicholas II Using the NEO-Personality Inventory Revised Exam

Abstract

Tsar Nicholas II of Russia was an unquestionable failure of a monarch. However, much of his demise was due to his lack of education and the accumulation of overpowering advisors that manipulated his weak mental and emotional characteristics. This paper identifies these characteristics through the analysis of Nicholas' personal documents and compares them to the NEO-Personality Inventory Revised Exam in order to better understand why he failed miserably as Tsar. In a study conducted by Joyce E. Bono and Timothy A. Judge at the University of Iowa in 2000, it was found that evaluations of the Big Five personality characteristics correlated to leadership performance. This study was conducted using the NEO-Personality Inventory Revised exam, and was also applied to this research in order to better evaluate Nicholas II's failed rule as Tsar of Russia. Through the analysis, it is clear that Nicholas possessed personality characteristics unsuitable for any leadership position. This research used interdisciplinary studies from the psychological sphere, thereby opening doors in the historical research field by using psycho historical analysis to highlight new viewpoints of previously researched material.