Personality Assessment

Projective Techniques

Projective techniques try to evaluate the unconscious behaviour of the individuals. They try to evaluate the total personality of an individual and not separate segments.

Projective techniques are based on the phenomenon of projection. In these techniques, relatively indefinite and unstructured stimuli are provided to the subject and he is asked to structure them in the way he likes. While doing. so, he unconsciously projects his own desires, hopes, fears, repressed wishes etc. in an imperfect form

Following are the common projective techniques which are in existence: 

1. Ink Blot Test 

2 Thematic Apperception Test (TAT).

 3. Sentence Completion Test

 4. Story Telling and Story Completon Test 5. Free Association and Dream Analysis Test.

1. Ink Blot Test 

Hermann Rorschach, a Swiss psychiatrist, developed the test in 1921, inspired by his observation that schizophrenia patients often interpret things in unusual ways. 

The test is used to assess an individual's response to ambiguous stimuli to uncover unconscious thoughts and can help identify coping styles, emotions, stress management, and interpersonal relationships. 

The Rorschach test is a type of projective assessment where individuals are shown inkblots and asked to describe what they see in each one. 

• The test consists of 10 inkblot cards, some of which are black or gray and others have patches of color. 
• The ink - plots are highly unstructured and they do not have any specific meaning

The therapist then interprets the person's answers, looking for patterns and themes that might reveal unconscious thoughts, feelings, and personality traits. 

The responses are scored based on factors such as the location of the thing seen in the blot, the type of content, and the level of detail. 

2 Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)The TAT was developed by Henry A. Murray and Christina D. Morgan in the 1930s. 

The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) is a psychological test that assesses a person's personality by analyzing their interpretations of ambiguous pictures. It's a projective test that can be used for both adults and children. 

• The standard form of the TAT includes 30 picture cards which expose human beings a variety of situations including 1 blank card
• From these pictures, 20 pictures meant for girls below the age 14 years. 20 pictures for boys below the age 14. 20 pictures for females above the age of 14. 20 pictures for males above the age 14 years
• The test involves showing a series of picture cards to the subject.
The subject is asked to tell a story about each picture.
The stories are recorded and analyzed to understand the subject's personality.
The TAT is used to assess a person's emotional responses, inner thoughts, and subconscious dynamics. 
It can be used to interpret behavior disorders, psychosomatic illnesses, neuroses, and psychoses. 
It can be used to uncover unconscious motives, themes, conflicts, and interests underlying an individual's behavior

 3. Sentence Completion Test

Sentence completion test in psychology was introduced by Pyane.

Sentence completion tests are a type of projective technique, where individuals are presented with ambiguous stimuli (incomplete sentences) and asked to respond in a way that reveals their underlying thoughts and feeling.

Individuals are asked to complete the sentences spontaneously, without overthinking their responses. 

Scoring and Interpretation:

Responses are often scored based on the presence or absence of certain themes or patterns, and the severity of any identified conflicts or maladjustments. 

Examples of Sentence Stems:

"I am often..., "My biggest fear is..., "I feel guilty when..., "I wish..., and "My parents are....

4. Story Telling and Story Completon Test

A story completion test, also known as a story completion method, is a qualitative research technique where participants are asked to write a story based on a pre-determined "stem" or opening scenario, allowing researchers to explore participants' perspectives and discourses on a specific topic. Researchers provide participants with a brief story stem (or multiple stems for comparative studies) that sets up a hypothetical scenario.  Participants are then asked to complete the story, either with minimal constraints or following  specific guidelines. The stories can be written or, in some cases, combined with visual methods. 

5. Free Association and Dream Analysis Test.

This technique was used by Freud to find out the repressed unconscious  desires, emotions and feelings of individual men and women. According to this method the psycho-analyst first of all wins the confidence of the subject. The subject is then asked to Jake a comfortable position and recline on a sofa and is encouraged talk about his trouble freely. At a certain point in his free conversation the subject stops and resists in expressing his ideas freely. After many sittings of this type the analyst comes to know some significant factors of personality. The analyst also interprets the dreams of the subject. Certain repressed desires which the subject cannot express in the conscious world find their expresssion in a different form in his dreams. Thus an analysis of his dreams also gives a clue to his personality.

Non-Projective Techniques

Following are the common Non- projective techniques which are in existence: 

Subjective Techniques 

1. Case study

A case study is a research method that involves a thorough examination of a specific case, whether it's a person, a group, an event, or a phenomenon. The primary goal of a case study is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the case, exploring its complexities and nuances. 

2.Autobiography

In psychology, autobiography refers to an individual's life story told by that person, often used in psychotherapy and research to gain insights into their experiences, behaviors, and feelings. 

3. Questionnaire

A questionnaire is a research instrument that consists of a set of questions  (or other types of prompts) for the purpose of gathering information  from respondents through survey or statistical study. A research questionnaire is typically a mix of close-ended questions and open-ended questions. Open-ended, long-term questions offer the respondent the ability to elaborate on their thoughts. 

4. Interview

An interview is a formal conversation where questions are asked to obtain information, assess qualifications, or evaluate suitability, commonly used for job applications, admissions, or research purposes. 

Objective Techniques

1.Observation

The observation method involves systematically watching and recording behaviors, events, or phenomena to gather data, often used in qualitative research to understand human behavior in natural settings. 

2.Personality inventory

Personality inventory is a

psychological tool, often a structured questionnaire, used to assess an individual's personality traits, preferences, and behaviors, providing insights into their strengths, weaknesses, and potential areas for growth. 

3.Rating Scales

A rating scale is a structured tool used to measure opinions, attitudes, behaviors, or performance levels by providing respondents with predefined choices to evaluate a specific criterion, making data collection consistent and objective. 

4.Check list

checklist method is a systematic approach to task management and process control, using a list of items to ensure that nothing is overlooked or forgotten, improving efficiency and reducing errors. 

5. Sociogram

Sociogram is a visual tool, or diagram, used to represent the social relationships and preferences within a group, showing connections and dynamics through links between individuals.