Assessment of Personality

   History of psychology tells us that assessing one's personality developed along 4 lines.
   * Factual observations of individual differences.
   * Self report measures 
   * Projective techniques 
   * The wholistic approach ( Evaluating the inner core of traits)

Types of Personality 
    The ancient Indian philosophers recognised three gunas that constitute one's personality. They are 
       * Sattva ( Purity)
       * Rajas ( Restlessness )
        * Tamas ( Indifferent)

Hippoerates described 4 humours of the body.

   

The German Psychiatrist Kretschmer proposed that body build (physique) is related to personality traits.

Jung classification 

Carl Jung theory explains personality based on how people gain energy (attitude) and how they process information (functions).

   1. Attitudes (Direction of Energy)
🔹 Introvert
Focuses on inner world (thoughts, feelings)
Quiet, reflective, prefers solitude
 “I recharge alone.”
🔹 Extrovert
Focuses on outer world (people, activities)
Social, active, expressive
 “I gain energy from people.”

    2. Psychological Functions
🔸 Thinking (T)
Logical, objective decision-making
         “Is it true?”
🔸 Feeling (F)
Values, emotions, relationships
        “Is it right?”
🔸 Sensation (S)
Focus on facts, reality, present   
      “What is happening?”
🔸 Intuition (N)
Imagination, possibilities, future
        “What could happen?”

Self Report Measures:

   The self Report measures are mostly personality inventories, which involve mostly asking questions to respond. It is a form of questionnaire. These are
   Yes/ No questions   (or)
   True /False
   Strongly agree /Disagree with various statements.
There are many personality inventories to measure a personality trait or some other aspects.

    16 P.F Inventory 

    Constructed by Raymond Cattel

    It is a detailed test to understand different personality traits.

* A personality test with 16 personality factors (traits)
 * Developed using factor analysis
 * Contains about 187 questions
* Answers: Yes / No / ? (uncertain)
* Measures personality on 16 dimensions
* Can be used for individuals and groups.

  MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory)
   * A widely used test to assess personality and mental health.
*  Developed by Hathaway & McKinley (1943)
 * Used in clinical, educational, and work settings
* Originally for mental health screening
 *Contains about 550 statements
 * Answers: True / False / Can’t say
 * Includes validity checks to detect fake answers

16 PF - Measures normal personality traits
MMPI - Detects personality - psychological problems

PROJECTIVE TECHNIQUES 

      *These are indirect methods to study personality.
*People are given unclear or ambiguous stimuli.
*They respond based on their own thoughts and feelings.
*Hidden emotions and unconscious motives are revealed.
*Common in clinical and counseling settings.

The Rorschach Ink- Blot Test

*Developed by Hermann Rorschach.

*Uses a series of inkblot cards.

*The person describes what they see in each blot.

*Responses reflect inner thoughts and personality.

*Used to assess emotions and mental state.

The Thematic Apperception Test

   *Developed by Henry Murray.

*Uses pictures showing different situations.
*The person creates stories about each picture.
*Stories reveal needs, motives, and conflicts.
*Widely used in personality assessment.

The sentence completion Test

* Contains incomplete sentences.
* The person is asked to complete them.
* Responses show attitudes, feelings, and concerns.
* Simple and quick to administer.
* Used in education, counseling, and research.

Importance of Assessment of Personality

Self-understanding -Helps individuals know their strengths, weaknesses, and behavior patterns.

Career guidance - Assists in choosing suitable careers based on interests and traits.

Educational planning - Helps teachers understand students and support their learning needs.

Mental health support -Useful in identifying emotional or psychological problems early.

Better relationships - Improves communication and understanding with others.

Selection and recruitment -Helps organizations choose the right person for the right job.

Personal development - Guides in improving skills, confidence, and overall growth.

      Interview

  An interview is a structured conversation between two or more people where one person (the interviewer) asks questions to gather information from another person (the interviewee).
    *An interview helps understand a person better through direct interaction.
 *It is a way of asking and answering questions to understand someone’s:
    

      knowledge
  

     skills
    

    Opinions 

    Experiences 

     Features
Planned or organized conversation
 *Specific purpose (selection, information, evaluation)
Question–answer format
May be formal or informal