Psychologist

Assessing Personality, Module 13.5

Psychologists use instruments called tests, inventories, assessments or measures to understand individuals’ personalities. This handout addresses these assessments. Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences.

1. What is a self-report inventory and how does it measure personality?

a. A self-report inventory is a type of psychological test often used in personality assessment. A typical self-report inventory presents a number of questions or statements that may or may not describe certain qualities or characteristics of the test subject. This type of survey can be used to look at your current behaviors, past behaviors, and possible behaviors in hypothetical situations.

2. What is a leading example of a specific self-report inventory and what kinds of questions does it include?

b. The MMPI-2 (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory). This test contains more than 500 statements that assess a wide variety of topics including interpersonal relationships, abnormal behaviors and psychological health as well as political, social, religious and sexual attitudes.

3. What are the strengths of self-report personality tests?

c. Many self-report inventories can be completed very quickly, often in as little as 15 minutes. This type of questionnaire is an affordable option for researchers faced with tight budgets

d. Self-report inventories are generally much more reliable and valid than projective tests. Scoring of the tests a standardized and based on norms that have been previously established.

4. What are the weaknesses or problems with self-report personality tests?

e. People are able to exercise deception while taking self-report tests

f. Some tests are very long and tedious. For example, the MMPI takes approximately 3 hours to complete. In some cases, test respondents may simply lose interest and not answer questions accurately.

g. People are...