I would expect that the answers to this question are highly susceptible to the availability heuristic, and would change massively based on priming. Talk about office environment for 30 seconds, then ask this question; talk about motivation for 30 seconds, then ask this question; for the same person, I'd be willing to bet you'd get completely different answers, the first on your "external" things, the second on your "internal" things.
So I don't think it is as useful for placing someone within a coordinate system as you think. It's too easily led astray, and won't have a lot of consistency over time. Your interpretation of the answer will have much of the qualities of a Rorschach test - but on yourself, not the candidate. You can read into it whatever you like.
I'd find it somewhat offensive for a simple reason: because it presumes to psychoanalyze me, to try and figure out what makes me tick. Being a person with an ego, I like to think I'm slightly more subtle than that. So the thought of this question coming up in an interview makes me curl my lip in contempt. I doubt I'd consider an offer from someone who tried this technique.
So I don't think it is as useful for placing someone within a coordinate system as you think. It's too easily led astray, and won't have a lot of consistency over time. Your interpretation of the answer will have much of the qualities of a Rorschach test - but on yourself, not the candidate. You can read into it whatever you like.
I'd find it somewhat offensive for a simple reason: because it presumes to psychoanalyze me, to try and figure out what makes me tick. Being a person with an ego, I like to think I'm slightly more subtle than that. So the thought of this question coming up in an interview makes me curl my lip in contempt. I doubt I'd consider an offer from someone who tried this technique.