Personality Methods and Evaluation
Introduction
In the following report the author will compare and contrast the various personality methods and the validity of each method. Moreover, the author will undertake one of these methods to assess their own personality and evaluate the outcome and the methodology used to assess their personality. Furthermore, the author will provide a brief evaluation of the theory behind the assessment and critically evaluate the theoretical assumptions of the study, relating to other approaches to personality.
Assessment methods
There are various methods to assess personality. In measuring personality 'cheating' can become a problem. It is less difficult to pretend you are different from the way you really are. The methods used to assess personality by psychologists today include case studies, interviews, observational techniques and experimental studies. (Nevid, 2007)
“The two major types of personality tests are objective personality inventories and projective tests.” (Nevid, 2007:p.506) Methods | Pros. | Cons. | Self-report questionnaire.Self report personality inventories measure personality traits or characteristics by having people respond to a set of questions about themselves using a limited range of response options that allow the test to be scored objectively. (Nevid.2007) | * Fast and easy to complete. * Inexpensive to administer and score as many can be machine scored and interpreted by computer. * Each individual carrying out the test knows themselves best to answer the questions of the test. | * Social Desirability (Bias) Individuals may distort their answers to present a favourable impression, according to what they believe is most socially acceptable. * Fixed questions. Limited responses (yes or no) (strongly agree, strongly disagree.) * Misunderstand what the questions asking them. | Ratings.Observers provide information about other people’s behaviour.The ratters’ are given a different set of behaviours that they have to rate
In the following report the author will compare and contrast the various personality methods and the validity of each method. Moreover, the author will undertake one of these methods to assess their own personality and evaluate the outcome and the methodology used to assess their personality. Furthermore, the author will provide a brief evaluation of the theory behind the assessment and critically evaluate the theoretical assumptions of the study, relating to other approaches to personality.
Assessment methods
There are various methods to assess personality. In measuring personality 'cheating' can become a problem. It is less difficult to pretend you are different from the way you really are. The methods used to assess personality by psychologists today include case studies, interviews, observational techniques and experimental studies. (Nevid, 2007)
“The two major types of personality tests are objective personality inventories and projective tests.” (Nevid, 2007:p.506) Methods | Pros. | Cons. | Self-report questionnaire.Self report personality inventories measure personality traits or characteristics by having people respond to a set of questions about themselves using a limited range of response options that allow the test to be scored objectively. (Nevid.2007) | * Fast and easy to complete. * Inexpensive to administer and score as many can be machine scored and interpreted by computer. * Each individual carrying out the test knows themselves best to answer the questions of the test. | * Social Desirability (Bias) Individuals may distort their answers to present a favourable impression, according to what they believe is most socially acceptable. * Fixed questions. Limited responses (yes or no) (strongly agree, strongly disagree.) * Misunderstand what the questions asking them. | Ratings.Observers provide information about other people’s behaviour.The ratters’ are given a different set of behaviours that they have to rate