CHAPTER 12: PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT METHODS

Question 1

It pertains to structured techniques of personality assessment that are typically administered using paper-and-pencil or computer formats. They contain short-answer items in which the examinee selects one response from two or more given options. These formats may include multiple-choice, true–false, or matching types. Scoring is conducted according to fixed procedures and involves little to no subjective judgment from the scorer.

Answer 1

Objective Methods

Question 2

It is a personality assessment technique in which individuals respond to unstructured or ambiguous stimuli (such as inkblots, pictures, or drawings). The assessee supplies structure to these stimuli, and the assessor interprets the responses to draw inferences about the individual’s personality. The method is indirect—assessees are not asked directly about themselves, which minimizes the ability to fake responses and reduces language and cultural barriers. It aims to reveal both conscious and unconscious aspects of personality.

Answer 2

Projective Methods

Question 3

This posits that when presented with ambiguous stimuli, individuals project their own internal experiences, such as needs, fears, desires, and conflicts, onto the stimuli. Their responses reflect their unique ways of perceiving and responding, thereby revealing aspects of their personality.

Answer 3

Projective Hypothesis

Question 4

It is a projective psychological assessment tool consisting of 10 bilaterally symmetrical inkblot cards. It lacks a built-in manual or standard administration and scoring system, leading to the development of several scoring systems over time. The most widely adopted and researched is Exner’s Comprehensive System.

Answer 4

Rorschach Inkblot Test

Question 5

Who developed the Rorschach Inkblot Test?

Answer 5

Hermann Rorschach

Question 6

The image or object that the test taker reports seeing in the inkblot.

Answer 6

Percept

Question 7

The phase where the examiner asks for clarification on how/why responses were made.

Answer 7

Inquiry

Question 8

It refers to the optional structured questioning to further assess response potential.

Answer 8

Testing the Limits

Question 9

A standardized approach developed by John Exner to unify administration, scoring, and interpretation of the Rorschach.

Answer 9

Comprehensive System

Question 10

It refers to which part of the inkblot (whole, large, small, detail, white space) was used in forming the response

Answer 10

Location

Question 11

The feature(s) of the blot (e.g., shape, color, shading, movement) that caused the perception.

Answer 11

Determinants

Question 12

The subject matter of the response (e.g., animals, humans, objects, anatomical parts, sexual imagery).

Answer 12

Content

Question 13

Whether the response is commonly given by others for that particular blot (popular vs. rare responses).

Answer 13

Popularity

Question 14

How well the percept fits the actual inkblot (e.g., good form = close match, poor form = distorted or unrealistic match).

Answer 14

Form or Form Quality

Question 15

Projective test using story creation to assess motives, concerns, and worldview

Answer 15

Thematic Apperception Test

Question 16

Who developed the TAT?

Answer 16

Henry A. Murray and Christiana D. Morgan

Question 17

Perceiving current experience via past experiences

Answer 17

Apperception

Question 18

Internal motivational force (e.g., need for love, success)

Answer 18

Need

Question 19

Environmental factor influencing behavior (e.g., danger, support)

Answer 19

Press

Question 20

Recurring theme from the interaction of needs and press

Answer 20

Thema

Question 21

Overt content in the image that suggests a certain type of story

Answer 21

Manifest Stimulus Demand

Question 22

Hidden, subtle cues that elicit deeper projection

Answer 22

Latent Stimulus Demand

Question 23

How structured/ambiguous the image is; influences story direction

Answer 23

Form Demand

Question 24

Common themes or storylines typically elicited by a card

Answer 24

Frequent Plots

Question 25

Deviations from common themes; potentially revealing

Answer 25

Significant Variations

Question 26

Unconscious motivational influence revealed through stories

Answer 26

Implicit Motive

Question 27

Developed by Erwin H. Wagner in 1983, is a projective psychological assessment designed to evaluate an individual’s interpersonal tendencies and behavioral patterns. It consists of nine cards, each depicting a picture of a hand, and a tenth blank card. The test-taker is asked to describe what the hands on each card might be doing. For the blank card, the individual is instructed to imagine a pair of hands and then describe their actions. Test-takers may provide multiple responses per card, and all responses are recorded. These responses are then interpreted based on 24 behavioral categories, including but not limited to affection, dependence, aggression, communication, and exhibition. The test aims to reveal underlying emotional functioning and personality characteristics through the projection of imagined hand actions.

Answer 27

Hand Test

Question 28

It is a projective test, developed by Joseph Rosenzweig, that uses cartoon illustrations to depict various frustrating social situations. The test taker is instructed to fill in the dialogue or response of the character who is being frustrated in each cartoon. The underlying assumption is that the individual will psychologically identify with the person experiencing frustration, thus revealing aspects of their own personality and coping mechanisms. Versions of the test are tailored to different age groups—children respond orally, while adolescents and adults may respond orally or in writing. After all responses are collected, an inquiry period is often conducted to gain further clarification of the test taker's interpretations.

Answer 28

Rosenzweig Picture-Frustration Study

Question 29

What are the three directions of aggression in the Rosenzweig Picture-Frustration Study? ?: Directed inward ?: Directed outward ?: Avoided or deflected

Answer 29

Intropunitive: Directed inward Extrapunitive: Directed outward Inpunitive: Avoided or deflected

Question 30

What are the three thematic categories for analyzing reactions in the Rosenzweig Picture-Frustration Study? ?: Focus on the frustrating barrier itself ?: Emphasizing protection of the self ?: Focus on overcoming the frustrating problem

Answer 30

Obstacle dominance: Focus on the frustrating barrier itself Ego defense: Emphasizing protection of the self Need persistence: Focus on overcoming the frustrating problem

Question 31

It is calculated to assess how closely a person’s responses align with those typical of the standardization group. While the test has inspired considerable interest and use in research, its validity in predicting real-life reactions to frustration remains a subject of debate.

Answer 31

Group Conformity Rating (GCR)

Question 32

It was developed by Arthur A. Karp and colleagues in 1990, and was designed to improve upon the limitations of the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) by incorporating greater objectivity in both content and scoring. The test consists of eight stimulus cards that depict identifiable people in realistic, everyday scenarios. These include diverse representations across age, gender, and minority status—an improvement over the TAT, which has been criticized for its often unrealistic or emotionally bleak imagery. One of the key distinctions of the test is its effort to evoke a wider range of affective responses by avoiding the gloomy tone commonly associated with TAT cards.

Answer 32

Apperceptive Personality Test (APT)

Question 33

It may be defined as a semistructured, individually administered, projective technique of personality assessment that involves the presentation of a list of stimulus words, to each of which an assessee responds verbally or in writing with whatever comes immediately to mind first upon first exposure to the stimulus word.

Answer 33

Word Association Test

Question 34

It is a task that may be used in personality assessment in which an assessee verbalizes the first word that comes to mind in response to a stimulus word.

Answer 34

Word Association

Question 35

It refers to the technique of having subjects relate all their thoughts as they are occurring and is most frequently used in psychoanalysis; the only structure imposed is provided by the subjects themselves.

Answer 35

Free Association

Question 36

It refers to a task in which the assessee is asked to finish an incomplete sentence or phrase.

Answer 36

Sentence Completion

Question 37

It is a semistructured projective technique of personality assessment that involves the presentation of a list of words that begin a sentence, and the assessee’s task is to respond by finishing each sentence with whatever word or words come to mind.

Answer 37

Sentence Completion Test

Question 38

(the part of the sentence completion item that is not blank, but must be created by the test taker) may be developed for use in specific types of settings (such as school or business) or for specific purposes.

Answer 38

Sentence Completion Stems

Question 39

Skinner’s auditory projective device using indistinct speech sounds.

Answer 39

Verbal Summator

Question 40

Renamed version of the verbal summator by Rosenzweig and Shakow.

Answer 40

Tautophone

Question 41

Tests using sound as projective stimuli.

Answer 41

Auditory Projective Techniques

Question 42

Subject responds to sounds by creating stories.

Answer 42

Auditory Apperception Test

Question 43

A similar method developed by Wilmer & Husni (1951).

Answer 43

Auditory Sound Association Test

Question 44

Murray’s test using spoken paragraphs, named after a Melville character.

Answer 44

Azzageddi Test

Question 45

It is defined as a projective method of personality assessment whereby the assessee produces a drawing that is analyzed on the basis of its content and related variables.

Answer 45

Figure Drawing Test

Question 46

A projective personality test where individuals are asked to draw a person, then a person of the opposite sex. It is used to assess self-concept, emotional functioning, interpersonal attitudes, and underlying conflicts. The drawings are thought to reflect aspects of the individual’s personality, psychological state, and self-perception.

Answer 46

Draw-A-Person (DAP) Test

Question 47

This test asks individuals to draw a house, a tree, and a person, each symbolizing different aspects of the self, used to explore emotional disturbances, personality structure, and coping patterns, particularly in children and adolescents.

Answer 47

House-Tree-Person (HTP) Test

Question 48

In this test, the examinee (typically a child) is asked to draw their family members “doing something”. The drawing reveals perceived family dynamics, emotional roles, and interpersonal tensions within the family system.

Answer 48

Kinetic Family Drawing (KFD)

Question 49

An adaptation of KFD designed for school settings. The examinee draws themselves and others doing something in school. Useful for assessing peer relationships, teacher-student dynamics, and attitudes toward school.

Answer 49

Kinetic School Drawing (KSD)

Question 50

A combination of KFD and KSD designed to evaluate the individual’s behavior and emotional functioning across home and school contexts. It allows for a more integrated understanding of functioning across environments.

Answer 50

Kinetic Drawing System (KDS)

Question 51

Used primarily in family therapy settings, this technique asks family members to draw together on a single picture. It evaluates communication, cooperation, boundary issues, and power dynamics within the family.

Answer 51

Collaborative Drawing Technique

Question 52

It is a psychological evaluation approach that focuses on directly observing and measuring an individual’s behavior within specific contexts, emphasizing what a person does rather than inferring underlying traits or psychological constructs. Unlike traditional "sign" approaches that interpret behavior as clues to internal states, the behavioral method uses a "sample" approach, viewing behaviors themselves as meaningful samples of functioning. It centers on identifying antecedents, consequences, and patterns of behavior to guide intervention strategies, with an emphasis on empirical observation, situational variables, and ongoing assessment throughout therapy.

Answer 52

Behavioral Assessment Method

Question 53

A retrospective method where individuals recall and report behavior (e.g., alcohol use) over a defined calendar period.

Answer 53

Timeline Followback (TLFB)

Question 54

Real-time data collection using handheld devices or mobile apps. Allows in-the-moment recording of behaviors like smoking or drinking. Effective for studying the immediate antecedents of behavior in natural settings.

Answer 54

Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA)

Question 55

This technique involves watching the activities of targeted clients or research subjects and, typically, maintaining some kind of record of those activities.

Answer 55

Behavioral Observation

Question 56

A preprinted sheet on which the observer notes the presence or intensity of targeted behaviors, usually by checking boxes or filling in coded terms.

Answer 56

Behavior Rating Scale

Question 57

Tools designed to measure a wide variety of behaviors or abilities across different domains.

Answer 57

Broad-band Instruments

Question 58

Tools designed to measure specific behaviors or abilities related to a single, focused construct.

Answer 58

Narrow-band Instruments

Question 59

It is the act of systematically observing and recording aspects of one’s own behavior and/or events related to that behavior.

Answer 59

Self-monitoring

Question 60

It refers to the possible changes in an assessee’s behavior, thinking, or performance that may arise in response to being observed, assessed, or evaluated.

Answer 60

Reactivity

Question 61

It is a research investigation in which one or more variables are similar or analogous to the real variable that the investigator wishes to examine.

Answer 61

Analogue Study

Question 62

A process to convey the process of identifying the dependent and independent variables with respect to the presenting problem.

Answer 62

Functional Analysis of Behavior

Question 63

It is a procedure that allows for observation and evaluation of an individual under a standard set of circumstances.

Answer 63

Situational Performance Measure

Question 64

It is a situational assessment procedure wherein several people are organized into a group for the purpose of carrying out a task, as an observer records information related to individual group members’ initiative, cooperation, leadership, and related variables.

Answer 64

Leaderless Group Technique

Question 65

It is an improvised or partially improvised part in a simulated situation, and can be used in teaching, therapy, and assessment.

Answer 65

Role Play (or acting)

Question 66

These are techniques that assess physiological responses (e.g., heart rate, blood pressure) influenced by psychological factors.

Answer 66

Psychophysiological Methods

Question 67

A method that monitors and provides feedback on physiological processes (e.g., pulse, muscle tone, brain waves) to help individuals gain control over them.

Answer 67

Biofeedback

Question 68

It is a biofeedback instrument that records changes in the volume of a part of the body arising from variations in blood supply.

Answer 68

Plethysmograph

Question 69

A tool that measures blood flow to the penis to assess sexual arousal patterns, especially in sexual offender assessments.

Answer 69

Penile Plethysmograph (Phallometric Testing)

Question 70

These are used to assess sexual arousal patterns in offenders. This data can encourage offenders to be more honest about their behaviors, and help evaluate progress in treatment by measuring changes in arousal responses to normal vs. deviant stimuli.

Answer 70

Phallometric Data

Question 71

A device that records physiological changes (e.g., respiration, skin response, heart rate) to assess truthfulness during questioning.

Answer 71

Polygraph (Lie Detector)

Question 72

It is a telling physical trace or record. These are nonreactive methods of assessment that do not require direct interaction with or awareness from the subject. They involve observing physical traces or indirect evidence of behavior (e.g., worn floors, trash contents, or photographs) to gather data without influencing the behavior being studied.

Answer 72

Unobtrusive Measures

Question 73

It refers to the averaging of multiple observers’ ratings to reduce individual biases or errors. This technique helps increase inter-rater reliability and minimizes the impact of any single rater’s subjectivity or error.

Answer 73

Composite Judgment

Question 74

It is a type of rating error in behavioral assessment. It occurs when the evaluation of one behavior is influenced by the evaluation of a previous behavior, leading to a rating that is either more favorable or unfavorable than it should be.

Answer 74

Contrast Effect

Question 75

It occurs when an observer’s subjective views, expectations, or prior knowledge influence how they perceive, interpret, or record the behavior they are observing.

Answer 75

Observer Bias