Question

A person shown a picture and asked to make tap a story about it would be taking a __________ personality test.

Short answer

The type of personality test described in the question is a projective personality test.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the type of personality test

The type of test described, where a person is shown a picture and asked to create a story about it, is referred to as a projective personality test. The rationale behind this is that when people are asked to view an ambiguous image, their interpretation of the image can reveal their subconscious thoughts, feelings, and inner conflicts.

Key concepts

Personality Assessment

Personality assessment is a broad area of psychology that involves evaluating an individual's character traits, beliefs, and behaviors in a systematic way. It's an essential tool in various fields, from clinical psychology to occupational screening. One common goal behind assessing personality is to gain a deeper understanding of an individual, which can help in treatment planning, career development, or even personal growth.

Traditional personality assessments, such as questionnaires or self-report inventories like the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), ask direct questions about feelings and thoughts. Ultimately, the responses can help psychologists understand various aspects of the individual’s personality. However, the straightforward nature of these assessments can sometimes lead to biased or socially desirable answers.

Psychological Testing

Psychological testing encompasses a vast range of tests used to measure cognitive abilities, emotional function, and psychological states. These tests are designed to be objective and standardized, providing a scientific method for gauging a wide array of abilities and traits.

Factors examined in psychological testing can include intelligence, aptitude, memory, and personality characteristics, among others. For instance, an intelligence test might measure problem-solving abilities and logical reasoning. A personality test, in contrast, aims to uncover more subjective qualities like extroversion, conscientiousness, or openness to experience. Psychological tests must be validated and calibrated, meaning they should consistently produce accurate, reliable results that truly reflect the traits or abilities they're supposed to measure.

Subconscious Thoughts

Subconscious thoughts refer to the mental processes occurring below the level of conscious awareness. These underlying thoughts and feelings can significantly influence behavior and perceptions, yet an individual may not be directly aware of them. The intrigue of the subconscious lies in the fact that it often stores unresolved conflicts, past experiences, and deep-seated emotions.

Projective personality tests, such as the Rorschach inkblot test or the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), are designed to tap into these hidden aspects of the mind. They work under the premise that when presented with ambiguous stimuli, individuals project their own subconscious thoughts and feelings onto them. Therefore, these tests are utilized to uncover the deeper layers of a person's psyche that might not be accessible through more direct methods.