Discover Methods of Personality Measurement: 3 meths Objective, Subjective, Projective for Fruitful Assessment

Measurement of Personality

Methods of personality measurement means finding out ways about the character traits of personality and determining the extent to which they are organized or disorganized.

When the traits of a person are organized with each other, then the behavior of the person is normal, but if the traits are disorganized, then the behavior of the person is abnormal.

1. Theoretical objective of personality measurement:-

Personality measurement provides a lot of knowledge related to personality development and nature. This helps in researching the field of personality and formulating new theories.

2. Practical purpose of personality measurement: –

The practical purpose means that through personality measurement, it is known which personality trait has what strength, and due to the lack of which trait, a person is facing difficulty in adjusting. The difficulty in adjusting has to be removed. This measurement is also used for selecting the right person for the right position.

Methods of personality measurement: –

(A) Objective Methods of Personality Measurement:

In this method, questions are asked to a particular person, which are related to himself. Personality is tested on the basis of the answers obtained. The following are included in objective methods:

1. Personality Inventories: –

Its scientific use was conducted during the First World War. In this, some specific questions related to personality traits are asked which have to be answered in yes or no or true or false, such as: –

Do you have a sleep disorder? Yes / No.

Some important personality inventories are as follows: –

(a) Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Test-2:–

It was created by Hathaway and McKinley in 1940.

(b) Bell Adjustment Inventory:

This inventory was created by Bell in 1934.

(c) Cattel’s 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire :-

Cattel’s 16 P.F Questionnaire

Benefits of personality tests: –

(i) Very convenient in measuring personality traits.

(ii) Ease of comparing personalities across situations.

Limitations of personality inventories: –

(i) Personality models use individual trait measures which are not appropriate for personality measurement because personality is of a composite nature.

(ii) The validity of personality inventories is not high. Some of the items in personality traits are clear and obvious, so a person can hide their real answer and give a fake answer.

2. Questionnaire: –

This method also contains a list of questions whose answers the person has to give in writing. Its experiment is when factual information is required.

Difference between inventories and questionnaire:

It is found that: – In the report, the first person is addressed, whereas in the questionnaire, the questions are related to the second person.

Example :-

(i) I am a respectable person. (Yes/No) – (Inventory)

(ii) You are a respectable person. (Yes/No) – (Questionnaire)

3. Rating Scale:-

In this, the decisions taken about the personality traits are recorded in some categories. Some numerical categories like: – +3, +2, +1, 0, -1, -2, -3 are made in it. These have a special meaning. Later, after analyzing them, a conclusion is reached (about the personality).

4. Check List:

A check list contains a list of selected words, phrases, and sentences. It is used to find out whether a particular person has any special qualities or not.

5. Sociometry:

Moreno and Jennings have developed this method. In sociometry, every child selects their friend. This clarifies the likes and dislikes of the group members. By sociometry, the child is selected in the following categories –

(a) Star –  in sociometry, a star is the person who is liked by most people.

(b) Cliques –  in sociometry, a person who is outwardly liked by the group.

(c) Isolates – in sociometry, an isolate is a person whom nobody likes.

Sociometry method is more famous in the classroom in comparison to other methods. Sociometry can be seen in the normal environment where children sit together and share their thoughts.

6. Situational Test: –

This test assesses the personality traits of a person in an artificial situation. For example, observing in an artificial situation whether a person is honest or not.

(B) Projective Methods of Personality Measurement

(1) Word Association Test: –

In this, some words are told to the person one by one. After listening to the words, the first word that comes to the person’s mind has to be told. This test was used by Freud and his disciple Jung.

(2) Rorschach Test

The most popular of the projective tests is the Rorschach test, developed by Swiss psychiatrist Hermann Rorschach in 1921.

This test consists of 10 cards with ink blots on them. These cards are given to a person. The person can turn them around as he wishes. He has to look at the cards and then tell what he sees on them.

(3) Thematic Apperception Test (TAT):

This test was created by Murray in 1935 at Harvard University. It consists of 31 cards, 30 illustrated and one plain. The person is shown 10 cards in different sessions and asked to write a story.

Finally, a plain card is given to the person, and he is asked to draw a picture on it and write a story. Personality is measured on the basis of the written story.

(4) Sentence Completion Test:

This test was developed by Rohde and Hidreth in 1940. Each person is given incomplete sentences. The person has to complete them based on their experience, such as:

I wish my parents would tell me more often…

I often think that…

(5) Children Apperception Test

This test was developed by Dr. Leopold Bellak for children. This test consists of ten cards on which pictures of animals and life-related situations are drawn. This test is used for children between the ages of 3 and 10.

After showing the pictures, the personality test is conducted based on the child’s feelings and reactions.

(6) Picture Situation Index:

This test was developed in 1956 by Morgan and Gayer. This test also consists of 10 cards. Each card depicts a home situation in which a child and his mother struggle.

(7) Story Completion Test:

In this test, the person is given an incomplete story which he has to complete using his experience and knowledge.

(C) Subjective Methods of Personality Measurement

(1) Interview Method:-

This is the most commonly used method of personality measurement. In this, personality is measured by asking questions. It is of two types:-

(a) Structured Interview:

It has a fixed list and order of questions to be asked.

(b) Unstructured Interview:

In this, the interviewer does not keep a fixed list and order of questions, but asks questions in a flexible manner according to the situation.

The drawback of this method is that the result of each interview is different. Therefore, the interviewer also gets a chance to show bias and prejudice.

(2) Observation Method:-

A person’s personality is tested through observation. There are two ways of doing this:-

(a) Direct Observation: In this test, the behaviour of the person is studied by staying with him personally.

(b) Indirect Observation: In this test, observation is done through a video camera, tape recorder, or telescope.

(3) Case Study Method:

This method is used in the study of personality. Sigmund Freud is considered to be the pioneer of this method.

(4) Anecdotal Record:-

Informal observation by a teacher of the behaviour and personality of his pupil.

(5) Cumulative Record:

Obtaining knowledge of the personality of an individual by keeping a cumulative and systematic record of his/her achievements and activities.

General Conclusion regarding measurement of Personality

In personality testing, personality inventories and projective methods are used more than the observation method.

Among these different methods, projective tests are used more for clinical purposes. Personality inventories are widely used in educational institutions and educational research.