Question

Explain the various methods of personality measurement.

Points:

1. Behavioural analysis
2. Self-report technique
3. Projective method

Answer the following question in 150 to 200 words:

Explain the various methods of personality measurement.

Answer the following question in 150 to 200 words:

Explain various methods of measuring personality.

Answer 1

Psychologists seek to measure personality through a number of methods. Behavioural analysis techniques, self-report inventories, projective techniques, and psycho-analytical methods of measuring personality are as follows:

1. Behavioural analysis: Behavioural techniques such as interviews and observation, etc. help in assessing the personality of an individual. These behavioural techniques can be explained as follows:
   1. Interview: The interview is the most common method of measuring personality. An interview is a process in which an interviewer tries to collect information about the personality of an interviewee by asking him/her various questions. The factors like time taken to give answers, gestures, postures, body movements, etc. of an interviewee are also taken into account while measuring the personality of an interviewee.
      The following are the main types of interviews :
      
      • Structured interview: Structured interview is a type of interview in which a total number of questions is to be asked to the interviewee, the sequence of questions, etc. factors are predetermined.
      • Unstructured interview: Unstructured interview is a type of interview in which the total number of questions to be asked to the interviewee, the sequence of questions, etc. factors are not predetermined.
   2. Observation: Observing an individual in various situations is another important method of personality measurement. For example, a psychologist can observe how a child behaves when the teacher is not present in the classroom or how a factory worker behaves in a workshop when the supervisor is not present.
      The observation method proves very helpful if it is used by a trained psychologist (observer) and with clear objectives and guidelines for observations.
2. Self-report technique: In the self-report technique, a person provides information on his own personality by responding to questions or sentences in a particular inventory. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), 16 Personality Factors (PF) by Cattell, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), and High School Personality Inventory (HSPQ) are some of examples of self-report inventory.
3. Projective method: Projective methods are intended to uncover feelings, desires, and conflicts that are hidden at the unconscious level. Here, individuals respond freely to relatively unstructured or ambiguous materials. While responding, they project their own personalities onto the unstructured stimulus. It often reveals their personal conflicts, motivations, coping styles, and other characteristics.
   • Rorschach’s Ink-Blot Test: This test was developed by Herman Rorschach in 1921. It uses ten irregular inkblots (five in black and white, five in colour.) standing against a white background. Each inkblot is shown in a fixed number of ways and the subjects are asked to describe what they see in each card. The subjects are allowed to hold the card in any position they want, whether it’s upside down or sideways. Analysis of this test requires a trained and skillful examiner.
   • Thematic Apperception Test (TAT): The TAT was developed by Morgan and Murray in 1935. It requires the individual to look at the picture and interpret it by telling a story. The individual is invited to say what led up to the scene in the picture.
   • Sentence-completion test: In this test, an individual is given a series of incomplete (partial) sentences and he/she is asked to complete them in his/her own words. For example, I feel anxious when...