Psychologists use several methods to measure personality, including projective tests, self-reporting inventories, and interviews. Projective tests like the Rorschach inkblot test and Thematic Apperception Test attempt to reveal unconscious feelings by having subjects interpret ambiguous stimuli, but they suffer from issues with subjectivity and reliability. Self-reporting inventories involve rating how well statements apply to oneself and include tests like the MMPI; they have clearer scoring standards but rely on self-awareness. Both methods have benefits and limitations in assessing personality.

1. Personality Assessment
Methods

2. BW Brainstorm:
• What are some methods you know of that
psychologists use to measure personality?
Brainstorm -

3. Personality Assessment
Methods

4. LEQ:
• What techniques do researchers
use to measure personality?
• Are these techniques reliable and
valid?

5. • Use the graphic organizer to fill in important
information about personality testing in the
correct category
• 1. Description
• 2. Examples
• Save the pro/con area for later!

6. How do we test personality?
• Projective Tests
– Tests that try to measure the
unconscious by having people
respond to ambiguous
designs
– Poor Inter-rater reliability
– No set standards
– Examples:
• Thematic Apperception Test
(TAT)
• Rorschach Inkblot Test
6

7. Rorschach Inkblot Test
• The most widely used projective
test
•A set of ten to twelve inkblots
designed to identify people’s
feelings when they are asked to
interpret what they see in the
inkblots.

8. Rorschach Inkblot Test

9. TAT
Thematic Apperception Test
• A projective test which people
express their inner feelings through
stories they make about ambiguous
scenes

10. Other Examples of the TAT Pictures
10

11. Projective Tests –Skip Slide
Pros
• Used primarily for patients
who were reluctant to
undergo psychotherapy
(talking openly).
• Harder for testers to create
deceptive responses
Cons
• Subjective- influenced by
personal feelings
• Inter-rater reliability issues
• Answers can depend on
respondant’s attitude =
Validity issues (is it
measuring personality?)

12. Section 5: Test Your Knowledge
1. The rationale underlying the use projective
personality tests, such as the Rorschach Test and
the Thematic Apperception Test, is that they
A. can be efficiently administered in a short amount of
time
B. can be given by almost anyone, since they are simple
to administer and score
C. reveal the subjects’ personalities by eliciting
responses to vague, ambiguous stimuli
D. provide clues to subjects’ personalities based on
behavioral theory
12

13. Section 5: Projective Tests
• Reflect on Learning Goals:
– Students should be able to answer the
following:
1. What are projective tests, and how are they
used?
Mr. Burnes 13

14. Self-reporting inventories
• Involve having test-takers read and rate how
well the question or statement applies to
them.
• Some of the most common tests include the
MMPI, Jung Human Metrics Test, True Colors,
Interviews, etc.

15. Example: True Colors from Friday

16. Example: Jung Typology Test (Monday)

17. Self-reporting Inventories- Skip Slide
Pros
• Intrapersonal Skills
• Help making decisions about
career or field of interest
• For assessing theories
• To look at changes in
personality
• To evaluate the effectiveness
of therapy
• Diagnosing psychological
problems
Cons
• Halo effect/engaging in
deception on the test
• People may lack skills In
accurately describing
themselves
• May have reliability and
validity issues

18. Section 5: Self-reporting
• Reflect on Learning Goals:
– Students should be able to answer the
following:
1. What are self-reporting tests, and how are
they used?

19. True or False
• 2. A self-reporting inventory is more
reliable (results can be duplicated)
than a projective test because it has
clear scoring standards.
• A. True
• B. False

20. Section 5 Test Your Knowledge
• 3. As part of an application for a job, Dan is asked
to complete some psychological tests including
one in which he responds true or false to items
such as “I feel sad most of the time,” or “I had a
good childhood.” What type of psychological test
is Dan taking?
• A. a behavioral log
• B. the TAT
• C. a projective test
D. A self-reporting inventory

22. Our last personality test… 
RORSCHACH TEST INKBLOT TEST

23. Part 1
• Write down what you see in Blot 1-12.
Feel free to invert the design in your
head if needed.
– Procedures: Move as instructed by teacher to
each picture, like other personality assessments,
your analysis is your own.
– You will have approx. 30 seconds at each pic. and
discussion will take place after in pairs.

24. Part 2
• Analyze your interpretation in your pair
groups using the packets at your desks and
add the information to the right column.
• When finished, reflect on the test at the
bottom of the page, do you agree? Disagree?
Explain.

25. Part 3
• Partner pairs share out!

26. Drawing Conclusions
• Complete the pro and con section on your
graphic organizer with your partner!
• Consider the tests you have taken in class as
well as others we have discussed.

27. Formative Assessment
• Evaluate the effectiveness of personality
testing. A. Do you think they are reliable and
valid? B. What potential benefits, or problems,
could arise from personality testing? C. Use
evidence from your notes, assessment data,
and other activities.
This will be approximately a half page in length. Reference key
perspectives and assessment methods in your writing.