Free Essay

Personality Assessments and Theories

In:

Submitted By retailer43
Words 256
Pages 2
Personality Assessments and Theories
Pamela Draughn
BEH 225
October 5, 2010
Heddora Wilburn

Personality Assessments and Theories There are different types of personality theories and assessments to determine the personalities of every person. In measuring a person personality there are four basic tools: the personal interview; direct observation of behavior; objective tests; and projective tests. Psychodynamic is related to personal interviews and projective tests, which is repressed problems from early childhood. Humanistic is related to personal interviews and objective tests. Trait is related to objective test. Social Learning is related to interviews, objective tests, and observations. Objective tests are the most widely used tools for assessing personality, but they have two serious drawbacks. First, they rely entirely on self-report. If people do not know themselves well, or cannot be entirely objective about themselves, or want to paint a particular picture of themselves, self-report questionnaire results have limited usefulness (Funder, 1991). But the results can change and may not reflect on the real personality of the person especially if the person does not know him or her that well, or cannot be entirely objective about themselves, or what to paint a particular picture of themselves. The general mood and the person’s ability to concentrate when taking the test can significantly affect the result as well. The results I got from test were all mostly true as descriptive of my personality. Some of the interpretation according to the results, I would say are partly to true according to my own understanding of my personality.

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Personality Assessment

...Personality Assessment and Theories Personality tests can be objective or projective. Through using a standardized format or through assessing yourself more directly the answers may change from day-to-day or month to month. People behave differently in varying situations through tracking personalities many inconsistences are found. Whether someone is given a structured interview or a personality inventory may not matter when the individual has learned and adapted. Personality inventories such as the NEO-PI-R or big 5 are based on the trait theory of personality. This theory stands for a more factored analysis that holds group traits accountable for personal behaviors. One example of trait in this theory is a person’s tendency to be aggressive. Eysenck’s theory based on traits claimed there were areas of personality; emotional stability, introversion-extroversion, and psychoticism. These tests take into account inherent predisposed behaviors and talents. Tests that gauge a person’s strengths and weaknesses this way are multiple choice formats, centered on extroversion, orderliness, emotional stability, accommodation, and inquisitiveness. Each time a big 5 assessment was taken results received differed. I think the results partially have to do with how you are feeling on a day-to-day basis and should be used as a guide. I believe these assessments to be objective and open to interpretation considering life situations. These are the kinds of surveys that a person...

Words: 689 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Personality Profiling

...regarding: Compare and contrast the Big Five Theory of Personality with Myers Briggs MBTI Why is it important to understand personality types What other personality assessments may be important (example: DISC)? Should companies base their hiring practices on personality assessments? Why or why not? Write in APA format. Include an introduction, body and conclusion. Cite consistently throughout your work in APA format. Paraphrase rather than directly quote citations. Write in third person. Include a title and reference page. For an example of a paper in APA format, please see: Personality Profiling Name Institution Course Date Personality Profiling The two personality profiling techniques or approaches, the Big Five and the Myers Briggs MBTI have several similarities and differences. The Big Five taxonomy was created with a major role to cover as many personality aspects as was possible. As the name suggests, big five has five different character traits desired in a successful individual. It is less focused on the mental values and beliefs. Instead, it is concerned about the physical behavior of an individual. Briggs MBTI on the other hand is a theory that was coined to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of the personality types. It measures the personality of an individual based on the attitudes that they portray towards their surroundings. The theories can be used in combination, or an organization can...

Words: 1079 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Psychology of Personaity

...S08 Psychology of Personality Lesson 8 Employers use personality tests in the interviewing process to try to select the best person for the job among many candidates. Companies have to determine if it is more cost effective to give personality tests before they hire a candidate or if they can afford the risk of possible employee turn-over. The techniques that are used by each company help to determine whether or not a particular candidate fits the job description and whether or not the candidate will succeed. Following the directions of the personality test, keeping the results private while not invading personal privacy makes personality tests as part of the interviewing process ethical and meaningful. There are several types of tests that an employer can use to test a candidates personality. They range from self-assessment questionnaires to more structured and measureable tests like computer adaptive tests. Each test has its own strengths and theoretical background, and employer’s need to find a test that works best for their company. Employers use personality profiles so that they can choose a candidate with the right personality traits to fill the position. Knowing that you need a self-motivated or persistent person is very important when asking questions during an interview. The more specific the questions that the employer asks the more accurate the answers will be about that candidates’ true personality. Since a person’s personality doesn’t generally...

Words: 1256 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Business Psychology

...To: Mrs Caroline Hatcher ∞ Human Resource Manager ∞ ABC Company From: Mrs Chrisan Lewis ∞ Occupational Psychologist ∞ The British Psychological Society Report: Efficient Recruitment The Report The ABC Company has been experiencing a high turnover of staff, (particularly with the Call Centre Staff), and is considering the development of an Assessment Centre. The ABC Company requires information which pertains to psychology in relation to psychometric testing. This report will identify individual differences, the supporting theories and the associated psychometric tests (which must be Objective, Standardized, Reliable, Predictive, and Non Discriminatory) for the purpose of effective recruitment. Psychology involves the study of the mind which is complex and is the source of thought and behaviour. It is scientific and examines individuals, their mind and their behaviour, and attempts to understand and explain thought, emotion and behaviour (Wilhelm Wundt 1832-1920). Individual Differences Vast Variation among biological populations inspired the formulation of Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection. Individuals are different and in fact unique based on a number of variables such as:- voice, skin tone, disposition, ethnicity, stature, attitude, physical symmetry, trainability, intelligence, aptitude, extroversion, introversion, sex, gender, neuroticism, expressiveness, memory, creativity, conscientiousness, agreeableness, values, beliefs and so on. The intelligence...

Words: 3107 - Pages: 13

Premium Essay

Personality Assesment and Theories

...Checkpoint: Personality Assessment and Theories XXX BEH 225 Introduction to Behavioral Science University of Phoenix Instructor: XXX XXX Personality Assessment and Theories When discussing about how personality assessments and personality theories correspond, we first will go over a theory called the psychodynamic theory. The psychodynamic theory is something known to be in unconscious thoughts, motives, conflicts, and feelings. This is something that may have developed or started in the early years of childhood dealing with repressed problems. To come to an assessment of the psychodynamic personality and projective tests, interviews are made personally. “This is a drive towards personal growth and higher levels of functioning” (Morris & Maisto, 2002). This is in regards to the humanistic views on the personality theories. Like the psychodynamic personality, objective tests and personal interviews are used to make this assessment. Cognitive-social learning theories deals with “past reinforcement and punishment, and by also seeing what happens to others,” as mentioned by Morris and Maisto, 2002. In the overlook of assessing social learning theories, the three main ways of going about this is to assess through personal interviews, observations, and objective tests. In discussing the test given by www.similarminds.com, this test to me was more of an objective test. The test consisted of a serious of questions that asked my own personal ratings of...

Words: 641 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Week 2 Ia Cmgt 530

...Personality Assessment University of Phoenix CMGT/530 Personality Assessment Personality is defined as the visible aspect of one’s characters based on a combination of their physical, mental, emotional, social, and other behavioral patterns. Over the last few decades there have been numerous methods and tests that have been developed to assess ones personality. The more commonly known tests include the Meyer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBIT), the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire, the Jung Theory of Psychological Types and The Keirsey Temperament Sorter II. The listed methods are all developed by different individuals; with their very own views and opinions; however; each method is based on the basic theory that a person’s behavior are the results of specific traits that can be measured and it is these measureable traits are what make up a person’s inner habits and tendencies. There are several kinds of assessment methods that have been created to help define and measure ones individual personality and traits. For this assignment; the one used to assess my personality was the Keirsey Temperament Sorter II. The Keirsey Temperament Sorter II personality assessment tool; developed by David Kiersey was first introduced in his book Please Understand Me, which was published in 1978. It is an objective test composed of 70 questions that helps to measure and indicate the personality types...

Words: 928 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Understanding Psychology

... Understanding Psychology Personality assessments and personality theories correspond in many ways. To identify and relate to the different theories one must know their informative defined differences. First, Psycho dynamic is related to unconscious thoughts , feeling, motives, and conflicts also repressed problems from an individual’s child hood. Psycho dynamic theory relate to Projective tests and personal interviews. Secondly the humanistic theory relate to a personal drive toward one’s growth and higher levels of functioning. The humanistic theories relate to objective tests and personal interviews. Third, the trait theory causes a person to have permanent dispositions that may cause the individual to think, feel, and act in characteristic ways. The trait theory relate to objective assessments. Fourth is social learning, is decided by one’s past reinforcement and punishments and also relates to observing an individual knowledge of what is happening to other people. Social learning theories are associated with assessments that include objective tests and observations. The online test was clear and included either and objective or projective point of view. The online test was clearly an objective test. This test identified the defined meaning of a personality test that is, a personality test is a test that is administered and scored in a standard way. Meaning, personality test are usually designed to allow an individual to choose a yes...

Words: 321 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Infj

...Myers-Briggs Assessment I will discuss the concepts of my personality type and cognitive style results from the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator assessment; a personality test. I will give an analysis of my results; discuss favorable employment based on the profile originated for me, compare and contrast the results based on how I see myself, and my dominant cognitive patterns. According to my MBTI assessment I’m an INFJ personality. I’m 33% introvert, 50% intuitive, 25% intuitive feeling and 22% judging. The results seem pretty accurate with my personality. The profile states that INFJs hold deep convictions about the weightier matters of life, which I do. According to the profile INFJs are often found in the wake of an emergency, rescuing those who are in acute distress, and are champions of the oppressed and downtrodden which I always find myself doing. I seem to be an arm’s length to anyone in need. People tend to come to me in their time of distress for money (I try to help everyone and go without), someone to talk to (I listen well), or give my opinions or advice (I give the best biblical advice I can). The profile states that INFJs may fantasize about getting revenge on those who victimize the defenseless (http://www.humanmetrics.com). I used to have this mind set. As an adult and Christian, this attitude is no longer an option. Romans 12:19 states, Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says...

Words: 1990 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Woksheet

...theoretical model. 1. J_____ Experiences as a child affect life. Child is influenced by caretaker but also has a part in development. 2. F_____ 2–3 years of age and the body wants to retain and eliminate. 3. K_____ When a stimulus elicits a specific response 4. H_____ 6–12 years of age; skills and activities are the focus, rather than sexual exploration. 5. O_____ Overall, people are good. Humans strive for health and wellbeing. Persons develop a sense of self and create a value system based on experiences, with the goal of self-actualizing. 6. C_____ This is the part of the personality that mediates desires and the reality of the operational world. 7. D_____ People are unique, values are important, and overall the goal is to find fulfillment. Individual experiences assist with confronting and understanding the negative world. 8. N_____ This develops in time and becomes the moral compass of the personality. 9. _____ When learning is completed through observation alone; reinforcement or conditioning are absent. 10. P_____ Thoughts are called schema, which is the knowledge that guides processing. This processing then leads the person to behave based on the thinking processes. 11. E_____ Focus is on the mouth, and sensation is achieved by sucking. 12. Q_____ Information processing at a basic level and mental processing, which includes thinking, planning, and making decisions 13. B_____ Includes two driving forces of life and death; life is sexual in nature and includes libido...

Words: 602 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Psy410 Worksheet

...theoretical model. 1. ___J__ Experiences as a child affect life. Child is influenced by caretaker but also has a part in development. 2. __F___ 2–3 years of age and the body wants to retain and eliminate. 3. __K___ When a stimulus elicits a specific response 4. __H___ 6–12 years of age; skills and activities are the focus, rather than sexual exploration. 5. __O___ Overall, people are good. Humans strive for health and wellbeing. Persons develop a sense of self and create a value system based on experiences, with the goal of self-actualizing. 6. _C____ This is the part of the personality that mediates desires and the reality of the operational world. 7. ___N__ People are unique, values are important, and overall the goal is to find fulfillment. Individual experiences assist with confronting and understanding the negative world. 8. _D____ This develops in time and becomes the moral compass of the personality. 9. __M___ When learning is completed through observation alone; reinforcement or conditioning are absent. 10. ___P__ Thoughts are called schema, which is the knowledge that guides processing. This processing then leads the person to behave based on the thinking processes. 11. __E___ Focus is on the mouth, and sensation is achieved by sucking. 12. __Q___ Information processing at a basic level and mental processing, which includes thinking, planning, and making decisions 13. __B___ Includes two driving forces of life and death; life is sexual in nature and includes libido...

Words: 701 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Personality Paper

...Personality Paper Melissa Hammond PSY/211 September 22, 2014 Jessica King Personality Paper Personality refers to an individuals’ unique psychological makeup and how it consistently influences the way a person responds to his or her environment. Both personality and situational factors play a role in determining each individuals’ behavior. Personality is incorporated in many activities such as: A persons choices of leisure activities, political perspectives, aesthetic tastes, and Lifestyles. Scientists are unsure whether personality is a learned trait or whether it can be genetically passed on from family member to family member; there may be a possibility that both are true. Today, psychologists have identified four perspectives of personality. (Holmes) Understanding Trait perspective, researchers believe they can better comprehend the differences between individuals. Trait personality is determined by a number of set, relatively unchanging traits. Some theorists believe that there are thousands of different traits that make up human personality. Raymond Cattell’s theory identified 16 personality traits that he believed could be utilized to understand and measure individual differences in personality. Where as Robert McCrae and Paul Costa: Introduced the big five theory, which identifies five key dimensions of personality: 1) extraversion, 2) neuroticism, 3) openness to experience, 4) conscientiousness and 5) agreeableness. Socio-cognitive theorists argue that personalities...

Words: 746 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Assessment Paper

...Name of Assessment: What’s My Jungarian 16 Type Personality? Individual Score: ENFP National Score: N/A Agree or Disagree?: Agree This assessment delves into the various personality traits that include Introverted or Extroverted (I or E), Sensing or Intuitive (S or iN), and Perceiving or Judging (P or J). These traits are the combined into a series of 4 letters that describe one’s personality. There are sixteen combinations of personality types that can be formed from this assessment. When deciding if one is Introverted or Extraverted, it is important to understand the flow of energy which essentially “defines how we receive the essential part of our stimulation.” If one receives their flow of energy from themselves, then they can be classified as Introverted but if they rely on external sources then they are Extraverted. How we take in information deals with our preferred way of absorbing. Does one rely on their five senses to absorb information? Then this individual would be characterized as Sensing! If the individual relies solely on their instincts then they can be classified as Intuitive. The last two categories deal with how an individual makes decisions. If the individual is prone to making decisions based on logic and objective considerations then they are classified as Thinking but if they make decisions based on one’s personal value system then they are classified as Feeling (BSM Consulting, 2012). These six categories presented me with the classification...

Words: 1884 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Personality Theory

...personality theories, types and tests personality types, behavioural styles theories, personality and testing systems - for self-awareness, self-development, motivation, management, and recruitment Motivation, management, communications, relationships - focused on yourself or others - are a lot more effective when you understand yourself, and the people you seek to motivate or manage or develop or help. Understanding personality is also the key to unlocking elusive human qualities, for example leadership, motivation, and empathy, whether your purpose is self-development, helping others, or any other field relating to people and how we behave. The personality theories that underpin personality tests and personality quizzes are surprisingly easy to understand at a basic level. This section seeks to explain many of these personality theories and ideas. This knowledge helps to develop self-awareness and also to help others to achieve greater self-awareness and development too. Developing understanding of personality typology, personality traits, thinking styles and learning styles theories is also a very useful way to improve your knowledge of motivation and behaviour of self and others, in the workplace and beyond. Understanding personality types is helpful for appreciating that while people are different, everyone has a value, and special strengths and qualities, and that everyone should be treated with care and respect. The relevance of love and spirituality - especially...

Words: 2835 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Record Control

...A persons personality is unique to that person there are no two people in the world that have the same personalities. A person’s personality comes over time as they grow up to be an adult. As a person grows they learn what they like and what they do not. What a person goes thought in their life growing up can make them what they are as an adult. The psychodynamic theory says that a person’s behavior comes from psychological forces that happened in their life. If a person is raped at a young age, this could be a big part of their life and how they act. If anything happens to a person as they are growing up this could make them who they are as an adult. There are four main theories of personality as it is studied today. There is Psychodynamic, Humanistic, Trait, and Social Learning. These four represent most all of the assessment tests that we use as well. The first, Psychodynamic theory is: a psychological approach to personality assessment. The basis of the psychodynamic theory is measurement of the unconscious thoughts, feelings, and motives. This theory also measures conflicts and represses problems from early life (Axia College, 2010, Week 6 Reading).The psychodynamic theory assesses through use of the projective tests and personal interview methods. The second theory is the Humanistic theory, which is: a theory that believes that personality is a personal drive to do better for one’s own benefit. The humanistic theory thrives on the belief that the personality is a drive...

Words: 694 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Team Personality Traits

...Team Personality Traits Personalities can vary in groups of people from different areas of the country. University of Phoenix Learning Team A reflects similar personalities in which may not be a common aspect in most team environments. The ladies in team A truthfully assessed the Big Five Personality test to understand strengths and weaknesses within the team. However, each member has displayed a high regard for team goals and participation. According to each team member the results of the test would prove complete accuracy in the Big Five Personality test. The Big Five Assessment Summary There has been much research on how people describe others, and five major dimensions of human personality (Out of Service Home). Two different Big Five Personality tests have been taken by Diane Elizabeth, Tracy, and Mary to research how each team member’s personality fits into the five different dimensions of human personality. The results for the first dimension Openness to experience and Intellect display that high scores tend to be original, creative curious, complex, whereas low scorers tend to be conventional, down to earth, narrow interest, and uncreative. The first results reflect that when concerning team A, team members enjoy developing novel experiences and seeing thinks in new ways scoring from 96 to 80. The second dimension of Conscientiousness and responsibility reflects team A’s score ranging from 95 to 83 and that each team member is very well-organized and can be relied...

Words: 1340 - Pages: 6