Lesson Notes

Lesson 13.6a  How Do We Measure Personality: Do You See What I See?

This lesson explores the different methods used in psychology to measure personality. There are several different types of methods that include:

Interviews: One of the more basic methods used to gather information on a person’s personality is to interview them. This can be done by any psychology professional and can either be done in a structured manner (i.e. pre-established questions) or unstructured (i.e. ask questions that may lead to other questions not thought of).

Observations: This method would involve observing an individual in various situations. For example, a school counsellor may sit in a grade 4 classroom to get insight into a child’s personality in terms of how they interact with friends.

Objective Tests: Various tests are used to measure personalities. One of the most widely used tests is the MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory).  This test has a subject answer specific questions. One of the problems with this type of measurement is that subjects may not be completely truthful in their responses.

Projective Techniques:  Measurements such as the Rorschach Inkblot Test and the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) are based on providing subjects ambiguous pictures or images and asking them to tell the psychologist what they see. These types of tests are often used by psychoanalysts as a road to the unconscious. 

Try this online version of a personality test.

Lesson 13.6b  Are Personality Measurements Accurate? Evaluating the Methods

This final lesson on personality looks at the reliability and validity of personality measurements. Whether they are useful or not is up to debate. There are limitations with some (i.e. interviews are time consuming), but they can offer valuable information. As you have seen in many parts of this course, there are cultural concerns with these types of tests, as many appear to be more applicable to Western cultures.