All Flashcards
Compare the strengths and weaknesses of projective tests and personality inventories.
Projective tests: Strength - taps into unconscious; Weakness - low reliability/validity. Personality inventories: Strength - reliable, empirically validated; Weakness - limited traits explored.
Compare direct observation and self-report questionnaires as methods of personality assessment.
Direct observation: observes behavior directly, prone to observer bias and Hawthorne effect. Self-report questionnaires: gathers subjective data, can be influenced by response biases.
Compare the use of case studies and surveys in personality research.
Case studies: in-depth study of individuals, may not generalize. Surveys: systematic questioning of a sample, correlational findings.
Compare the Rorschach Inkblot Test and the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT).
Rorschach: describes inkblots. TAT: creates stories based on pictures. Both aim to reveal unconscious thoughts, but TAT provides more context.
Compare the perspectives of behaviorism and psychodynamic theory in personality assessment.
Behaviorism: focuses on observable behavior. Psychodynamic: explores the unconscious. Different approaches to understanding personality.
Compare the reliability and validity of projective tests and personality inventories.
Projective tests generally have lower reliability and validity compared to personality inventories, which are empirically validated.
Compare the use of observation and experimentation in social-cognitive personality assessment.
Observation: studies how individuals react in situations. Experimentation: manipulates variables to discern cause and effect.
Compare the advantages and disadvantages of using self-report measures in personality research.
Advantages: easy to administer, cost-effective. Disadvantages: susceptible to response biases, relies on self-awareness.
Compare the focus of trait theory and social-cognitive theory in understanding personality.
Trait theory: identifies and measures personality traits. Social-cognitive: examines how environment and thoughts influence personality.
Compare the ethical considerations in using projective tests and personality inventories.
Projective tests: potential for misinterpretation, invasion of privacy. Personality inventories: confidentiality, informed consent.
What is direct observation in personality assessment?
Watching and recording behavior in a natural or controlled environment.
What are projective tests?
Tests using ambiguous stimuli to reveal inner thoughts and unconscious processes.
What are personality inventories?
Questionnaires where individuals provide self-reported information about their personality.
Define the Hawthorne effect.
The phenomenon where individuals alter their behavior when they know they are being observed.
What is reliability in psychological assessment?
The consistency of a test or measure in producing similar results across different administrations or raters.
What is validity in psychological assessment?
The extent to which a test measures what it is intended to measure.
What is the Rorschach Inkblot Test?
A projective test where participants describe what they see in a series of inkblots.
What is the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)?
A projective test where participants create stories based on pictures of people in various situations.
What is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)?
A widely used self-report instrument that includes lie detector questions to prevent deception.
What is observer bias?
Subjectivity in direct observation that can influence the recording and interpretation of behaviors.
Explain the behaviorist approach to personality assessment.
Focuses on observable behaviors and uses direct observation to measure personality.
Explain the psychodynamic perspective's approach to personality assessment.
Explores the unconscious mind using projective tests to reveal inner thoughts and conflicts.
How does trait theory influence personality assessment?
Identifies and measures specific personality traits using personality inventories.
What is the focus of social-cognitive perspective in personality assessment?
Examines how environment and thoughts influence personality, often using observation and experimentation.
Describe the concept of 'projection' in projective tests.
The process of attributing one's own thoughts, feelings, or motives to another person or object, especially when interpreting ambiguous stimuli.
What is the purpose of 'lie detector' questions in personality inventories?
To detect and prevent deception by identifying inconsistent or socially desirable responses.
Explain the concept of empirical validation in personality assessment.
The process of establishing the validity of a test by comparing its results with external criteria or real-world outcomes.
How does the use of control measures improve the validity of lab studies?
By minimizing extraneous variables and the Hawthorne effect, leading to more accurate and reliable results.
What is the significance of ambiguous stimuli in projective tests?
They allow individuals to project their unconscious thoughts and feelings onto the stimuli, revealing aspects of their personality.
Explain how self-reporting can be both a strength and a weakness of personality inventories.
Strength: Provides direct access to an individual's thoughts and feelings. Weakness: Susceptible to biases and lack of self-awareness.