Assessment techniques in Psychology

1. W E L C O M ES U … By, SREEJA GANGADHARAN P

2. Topics under discussion Interview technique merits Demerits Self-report Assessment Merits Demerits Projective Techniques Merits Demerits

3. Personality Assessment technique For systematic quantification of personality variables. All personality assessment falls into three distinct categories: subjective, objective, and projective. For any assessment technique to be accepted scientifically, should possess the following features: Standardization Norms Reliability Validity

4. Interview Oldest and most widely used method. The way in which it is conducted depends on the particular objective or goal in question. Structured format tends to be favored in the research setting . Unstructured format tends to be favored by clinical psychologists in therapeutic setting.

5. Merits Sense of trust. Degree of freedom. Can be used in hypothesis testing. Produce valuable information about personality and life situation. Communicate effectively.

6. Demerits Issue of reliability and validity Needs highly skilled interviewer. Highly subjective Poor inter rater reliability Theoretical and personal biases of interviewer. Withholding or distorting of information vital to the purpose of an interview.

7. Self report Assessment technique Reveals information directly by responding to specific questions with a limited number of prescribed choices. It is the most widely used technique. Differ by the number of dimensions they measure. Single-trait test used by academic research measure some specific aspect of personality. Multidimensional personality test have the advantage of measuring more than one dimensions simultaneously.

8. Merits High objectivity Standardization of scoring minimizes the risk of personal bias. Reliable Valid  Greater scene of privacy and autonomy by using computerized self report inventories Can measure several different personality traits. Large group of subjects can be assessed.

9. Demerits Acquiesce response set : Tendency of some people to respond in a particular way regardless of the content of the item. Social desirability : tendency to respond to items in such a way that makes them feel good. Deliberate deception : The test takers deliberately withhold the information about themselves if they believe that they stands to gain something from the fraudulent responds.

10. Highly personal characteristics of questions may consider as an invasion of privacy . Restricting the degree of freedom . Lengthy It takes time to respond diligently. Is not good among children or elderly people. Minor changes in the words can lead to major changes in the results.

11. Projective techniques Assess personality by presenting ambiguous stimuli and requiring a subject to respond, projecting his or her personality into the responses . To uncover the person’s unconscious conflicts, fear and concern. The tests can be very helpful in identifying personality problems.

12. Merits  Reduces intentional deception. Doesn't depend on verbal abilities Taps both conscious & unconscious traits and its influence on behavior.  Can be used to assess achievement motivation and drives, adoption of innovations and to study cultural meaning. Developed for emotionally disturbed person.

13. Demerits Less objectivity High Subjectivity in interpreting the response and the final score. Inter scorer reliability is very low. Every aspect does not necessarily relate to a personality attribute. Poorly standardized, no established method of administration, scoring and interpretation. Extensive training in specific scoring system is required for inter judgmental agreement.

14. CONCLUSION Measurement of individual difference can be done using interview techniques, self report personality test and projective techniques. Each of these techniques has its own merits and demerits. To have a better understanding of the human personality a combination of techniques can be used.

15. KEY WORDS Personality Interview Self-report Projective technique Reliability Validity Deception Social desirability Acquiescence Bias

16. REFERENCE Friedman, H.S. & Schustaccks , M.W. (2003). Personality-Classic Theories and Modern Research. (2 nd Edition). USA: Pearson Education. Hjelle , L.A.& Ziegler, D.J.(1992). Personality Theories-Basic Assumptions, Research and Applications. (3 rd edition). NY:McGraw -Hill.

17. \\ By, SREEJA GANGADHARAN P THANK U....