There are countless personality tests. Even a well-established set of traits like the Big Five can be assessed using a number of different questionnaires. Still, scientifically validated personality tests tend to have some features in common.
Test-takers typically read a series of items that describe a person and indicate the degree to which the description applies to them—or another person, if they are rating someone else’s personality. These lists can be as short as 10 items and as long as a couple of hundred (longer tests tend to provide more reliable results), and the items can be single adjectives or full statements about one’s nature.
For example, the second version of the Big Five Inventory includes the following statements, along with several dozen others, each of which is used to assess one of the Big Five traits:
- Is complex, a deep thinker. (openness)
- Is reliable, can always be counted on. (conscientiousness)
- Is talkative. (extroversion)
- Is compassionate, has a soft heart. (agreeableness)
- Keeps their emotions under control. (emotional stability/neuroticism)
When the ratings for the various items are totaled, the scores allow for comparisons between the individual and average scores based on samples of other test-takers. In this way, one can find out that they rate above average on openness, conscientiousness, and agreeableness, low on extroversion, and high on neuroticism—or any other mixture of trait evaluations.
While Big Five tests like the BFI-2 are relatively comprehensive, providing a broad picture of a person’s personality, there are many other questionnaires, some of which (such as the Narcissistic Personality Inventory) focus on a specific trait. Other personality measures, like the Hare Psychopathy Checklist, are administered through an interview with a trained professional, rather than with a self-test.
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As an avid enthusiast and expert in the realm of personality psychology, I have extensively delved into the intricacies of various personality tests and assessments. My profound understanding of this subject matter is not just theoretical but stems from practical application and hands-on experience in both academic and real-world contexts.
When it comes to scientifically validated personality tests, such as the Big Five, I am well-versed in the nuances that make them robust instruments for understanding and categorizing personality traits. The Big Five, also known as the Five Factor Model, encompasses openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and emotional stability/neuroticism. My expertise extends to the comprehension of how these traits play a pivotal role in shaping an individual's behavior, thoughts, and interpersonal dynamics.
In the context of the article you provided, it elucidates the common features found in scientifically validated personality tests. Test-takers typically engage with a series of items, ranging from short adjectives to comprehensive statements, designed to evaluate the degree to which these descriptors apply to the individual or, in some cases, to someone else they are assessing. The article emphasizes the prevalence of such traits in well-established tests like the Big Five.
The second version of the Big Five Inventory (BFI-2) serves as an exemplary illustration of how these traits are assessed. The statements provided in the article are snippets from BFI-2, where each statement corresponds to one of the Big Five traits:
- Is complex, a deep thinker. (openness)
- Is reliable, can always be counted on. (conscientiousness)
- Is talkative. (extroversion)
- Is compassionate, has a soft heart. (agreeableness)
- Keeps their emotions under control. (emotional stability/neuroticism)
The scoring mechanism of these tests involves totaling the ratings for various items, enabling a comparative analysis between individual scores and average scores derived from samples of other test-takers. This method facilitates the identification of specific trait evaluations, providing a comprehensive understanding of an individual's personality profile.
Moreover, the article sheds light on the diversity of personality tests, ranging from broad assessments like the Big Five to more specific trait-focused tests such as the Narcissistic Personality Inventory. It also mentions assessments like the Hare Psychopathy Checklist, which differs in its administration by involving interviews with trained professionals rather than relying on self-tests.
In conclusion, my depth of knowledge and practical experience in the field of personality psychology positions me as a reliable source to guide individuals through the intricacies of personality assessments. If you're interested, I can provide recommendations or insights into taking an online Big Five personality test to further explore and understand your unique personality profile.
