A relationship expert has shared the simple ‘test’ that offers enormous insight into a person’s true character – and it all revolves around the everyday act of text messaging.

Perth-based dating expert and matchmaker Louanne Ward outlined the simple challenge that could be tried out on a lover, friend or even a family member.

Taking to her Instagram account, Louanne shared the test in a post titled, ‘The one text message that reveals everything about their character’.

To begin, Louanne suggests sending an innocent text message where you and the other person make plans to get together. 

But then, in the lead up to the meeting, you proceed to politely retract those plans because ‘something unforeseen comes up and you need to cancel last minute’.

Daily Mail spoke to Louanne for further insight into why this particular scenario is highly revealing of a person’s character.

‘What makes a text message response so valuable is that the other person has plenty of time to craft the perfect response,’ she explained.

‘They’re not put on the spot. Yet how they choose to respond, even with that opportunity to be thoughtful, reveals their authentic emotional state and core attachment style, conflict resolution patterns, and emotional regulation skills.’

She continues: ‘The cancellation isn’t a test; life happens, and sometimes we need to cancel plans. But their response reveals an accidental window into their psychological makeup because it triggers something deeper.’

The relationship expert explained that although a cancelled plan is only a small-scale annoyance, for many it will be enough of a trigger to unearth ‘past pains and unresolved emotional baggage’.

When the other person writes back, Louanne explained that the first thing you’re looking to ascertain is whether the reply is ‘reactive’ or ‘responsive’.

As the relationship expert explained in her post, a responsive reply is thoughtful and ‘comes from empathy, understanding, and emotional maturity’. On the contrary, a reactive reply is ‘immediate, emotional, and all about them’.

‘Their choice reveals five character traits instantly,’ she continued.

Louanne then elaborated on the traits that are revealed in this situation, and offered analysis about what it says more broadly about them as a person.

The first is their ability to handle disappointment. Louanne notes: ‘ Do they respond with understanding or react like you’ve wronged them?’

The next is all about the other person’s empathy levels, with Louanne advising that you should take note of whether they ‘show concern for you’, or if they ‘make it about their inconvenience’.

The third important trait is a respect for boundaries. Louanne said a key indicator here is whether they accept your circumstances or demand explanations.

The next trait is around their adaptability. Louanne explains: ‘Do they roll with changes or become controlling?’

Finally, Louanne says the way the person replies will often be revealing of their own sense of insecurity. The relationship expert says it’s worth taking note of whether their reply is confident or whether, worryingly, they ‘spiral into abandonment fears’.

‘The person who responds with patience and understanding? That’s someone who will support you through real challenges,’ Louanne surmises.

‘If they respond by making you feel guilty, pressuring you for more information, or worse yet, don’t respond at all? That’s someone who will make every problem in your life about their feelings,’ she continued.

Louanne told Daily Mail that the intention behind the test ‘isn’t about writing someone off based on one response to a cancellation’.

Rather, it’s a tool to help you explore whether it’s part of a ‘cluster of behavioural patterns’ – especially if you’ve already had concerns about someone in your life.

‘People are always showing you who they are, not just in this one moment, but consistently over time,’ Louanne elaborated.

‘We all show the best of ourselves when things are going the way we want them to go. But it’s when things aren’t going our way, the truth comes out.’

The recent online post concluded that true character is often revealed ‘when things don’t go according to plan’ – and that the way someone replies in this scenario is potentially ‘the most accurate character assessment you never meant to conduct’.

‘Their response tells you exactly what you’re dealing with,’ Louanne said.