Personality tests, inventories &

projective measures

Chapter 12Grivas, J., & Carter, L. (2009). Psychology for the

VCE student Unit 1 & 2. 5th ed. John Wiley & Sons, Qld

BrainstormWhy do Psychologists measure

Personality?

Why measure personality?

Psychologists measure personality for a variety of reasons. For example:

o Organisational Psychologists: suitability for a particular position in the workplace.

o Educational Psychologists: determining whether a student is suitably placed in either a mainstream school or a special school, used with IQ tests.

o Clinical Psychologists: assess personality to assist in the diagnosis of a mental illness and to monitor progress during treatment.

o Researchers may use personality assessments for a research study on a topic of interest or for test development purposes

• In most cases, personality tests are used for diagnostic purposes. Psychologists use a range of measurement devices, from tests through to interviews and observations.

Personality tests

A personality test is an assessment device used to evaluate or measure aspects of personality, such as factors (dimensions) and specific traits.

There are two types of personality tests:

o Objective tests/Personality inventories

o Projective tests

Personality inventories

A personality inventory is a self-report, ‘paper and pencil’ or online test

Inventories measure personality types, traits and dimensions.

Inventories are objective, as responses are not interpreted but assessed against the codes in the test manual.

By comparing the individual's response to average scores for a large, representative sample of previously tested individuals (that is, norms), a personality profile can be compiled.

Strengths & limitations of objective tests

Strengths Quick to administer Can be used with large

groups in a short period of time

Objective, not based on test administers interpretation, therefore they have greater reliability

Can be computer-based, easy to compare against ‘average’ population

Can measure a single trait, type or dimension simultaneously

Limitations Self-report People may manipulate

their responses based on the personality they want to portray

Respondent can only give one of a range of responses

No opportunity to clarify or explain what they meant by their response

Susceptible to ‘cultural bias’

Projective tests

Projective tests follow the Psychodynamic Perspective as it assumes that a person’s unconscious thoughts project onto a visual stimulus.

Respondent’s answers are not restricted

Aspects of personality are revealed in the interpretation.

Projective tests can provide much more detailed information than objective tests.

The Rorschach Test

Developed by Herman Rorschach in 1921 to identify individuals with mental health problems.

The Rorschach Inkblot test consists of 10 visual stimulus cards, some coloured and some black and white.

They are administered individually and test-takers are not given any clues regarding the type of response expected.

The Rorschach Test

Scoring the responses involves making subjective (personal) interpretations based on assessment criteria.

The test administrator considers:

• What did the test-taker focus on?• What may have determined the

response?• What the test-taker's perception

actually was? • How often, compared to norms,

that response occurs?• To what extent the response

matched the features of the inkblot?

Ethics

We are going to engage with material which assesses personality

We are not going to make interpretations of individual’s responses

We are looking at test methodology

You have the right to withdraw at any time

Activity: Rorschach Testing

We are going to create our own inkblot visual stimuli.

You will need to:• Place a small amount of

paint on your page about ¼ of the way down, on one side of the page.

• With your eyes closed, use the paddle pop stick on your table to create a design.

• Then fold your page in half.

Once opened, you have created your inkblot.

Activity: Rorschach Testing

Keep in mind that your paint will still be wet.

Leave your tests on your desk.

Swap tables, take a pen only

Move around the table and interpret the visual stimuli by writing the first thing that comes to mind when you see the image.

Record your response in the table provided

Discussion of results

Was there a common response to your inkblot stimuli?

Why do you think it was important to ask participants not to think about their responses to the stimuli?

What are some advantages of the Rorschach inkblot test?

What are some potential limitations of the Rorschach inkblot test?

Strengths and limitations of projective tests

Strengths No right or wrong answer Test-takers are less likely to

be able manipulate responses

Responses are not restricted, they can provide as much information as they wish

Provides rich qualitative data about a person, in their own words

Results can be used by Psychologists to direct their therapy.

Limitations Responses are interpreted by

test administrator, could be prone to inaccuracies

Different Psychologists may interpret responses differently to one another, low reliability

Projective tests may not actually be assessing underlying personality,

Assumes that there is an unconscious and that this determines the underlying themes of personality

Have to be administered individually, time consuming and expensive

Reflection

If you were going to have your personality measured, which type of test would you prefer to be assessed by?

Take into account the strengths and limitations of objective and projective tests.