Structured Personality Tests

Psychological Measurements

Lecture, Chapter 13

Structured Personality Assessment

nPersonality – the relatively stable and distinctive patterns of behavior that characterize an individual and his/her reactions to the environment.

nPersonality traits – relatively enduring dispositions – tendencies to act, think, feel in a certain manner in any given circumstance that distinguish one person from another

Structured Personality Assessment (cont.)

nPersonality types – general descriptions of people

nPersonality states – emotional reactions that vary from one situation to another

nSelf-Concept – an organized and relatively consistent set of assumptions that a person has about him/herself.

Strategies for Personality Test Construction

nDeductive Strategies

nLogical-content strategy - A logical deduction of the content that should measure the characteristic to be assessed

nTheoretical strategy - An attempt to deduce the type of items that should measure the characteristic to be assessed which is based upon and consistent with the theory

nEmpirical Strategies

nCriterion-group strategy - Begins with a criterion group or a collection of individuals who share a characteristic, then attempts to collect a group of items that distinguish between them and the general population

nFactor analytic strategy - Uses factor analysis to derive empirically the basic dimensions of personality

Logical-content strategy

nExamples

nWoodworth Personal Data Sheet

nMooney Problem Checklist

nCriticisms

nInterpretation of items at logical face value also assumes that the subject:

nTakes a normal approach to the test

nComplies with instruction

nReads each item

nAnd answers as honestly as possible

Criterion-Group Strategy

nExamples:

nMMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) – aids in the diagnosis of major personality disorders

nCPI (California Psychological Inventory) – attempts to evaluate personality in normally adjusted individuals

nCriticism:

nRestandardization of the MMPI has eliminated the problem of inadequate control group.

nNew set of clinical scales added in 2003 (includes contemporary norms, additional content domains, and revision of items that eliminates sexist content).

Factor Analytic Strategy

nExamples:

nGuilford-Zimmerman Temperament Survey

n16PF (Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire)

nCriticisms:

nSubjective nature of naming factors

Theoretical Strategy

nExamples:

nEdwards Personal Preference Schedule

nPersonality Research Form and Jackson Personality Inventory

nSelf-concept scales

nCriticisms:

nCombines theory and statistics.

nItems are developed from variables used to measure constructs from a major theory; then construct-related evidence for validity is sought.