Personality Assessment Tools

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator & NEO-PI-R

In our daily lives, we encounter people with different personality traits. You
may describe your friend as outgoing and sociable, while you may say to
another friend that he is a bit indifferent and shy to others. In order for us
to get an accurate description of a persons personality, he or she should
undergo standardized personality assessment tools that are usually
administered by certified psychologists. Two of the globally recognized
personality assessment tools are the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the
NEO-PI-R. Lets discuss these two one after the other.

Myers- Briggs Type Indicator

A self-report questionnaire, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or MBTI is an assessment tool that
aids in determining a persons personality type. This tool is said to be the most popular inventory
utilized by psychologists. Most people are misled by saying that MBTI measures an individuals
intelligence or skill. In reality, MBTI is all about the persons preferences, meaning there are no right
or wrong answers in taking this assessment.
The questions in the MBTI are categorized into four areas. First, it assesses where you prefer to give
most of your attention and where you get the energy to do activities. This answers the question, Are
you introverted or extraverted? Second, it asks how you prefer to acquire information. This would
determine whether you are more on sensing (taking things that are tangible and real), or on intuition
(looking at the relationships between things and creating patterns between them). Third, it assesses
how you perform decision making. Do you prefer thinking (looking at the pros and cons) or feeling
(basing decisions on personal values)? Lastly, it asks how you deal with the outside world. It
questions you on your preferences in terms of judging (living in a planned and systematic manner)
or perceiving (exercising flexibility and spontaneity in most situations). When combined, these four
areas verify your personality type.

The NEO-PI-R
The NEO PI-R provides a comprehensive and detailed assessment of adult personality based on the
Five-Factor Model (FFM) of personality. The FFM is taxonomy of personality traits in terms of five
broad dimensions (the BIG FIVE): Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness to Experience,
Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness.
Based on the Five-Factor Model of personality, the NEO PI-R is a comprehensive assessment tool
that is usually administered to adults. NEO PI-R takes about 35 to 45 minutes. The results reveal a
detailed assessment of the different personality styles of a person- his emotional interpersonal,
attitudinal, experiential, and motivational styles.
Every domain of the NEO Pi-R is signified by six particular scales that determine the traits or facets
of the domain. For instance, the Neuroticism domain has six scales: N1: Anxiety, N2: Angry, Hostility,
N3: Depression, N4: Self-conscientiousness, N5: Impulsiveness, N6: Vulnerability.
The NEO PI-R involves two parallel versions containing 240 items plus 3 validity items. One version
is answered as a self-report, while the other is to be filled out by a friend, the spouse or an expert.
This assessment tool is helpful not only to people with normal mental status but also to those
patients with Axis II personality disorders.

Temperament & Personality

Temperament refers to a set of innate or inborn traits that organize a child's

approach to the world, whilepersonality is what arises within the
individual.Personality is acquired on top of the temperament.Temperament can
be viewed as an artist's canvas while personality can be viewed as the painting
on the canvas.

Temperament influences our interaction with the environment.

Different interaction = different experiences.
Temperament refers to behavioral style, the how of behavior. Personality describes
the what or why of behavior. Long recognized as different, researchers have
investigated connections between biological aspects of behavior and personality
structure and development.
Currently, one of the most popular personality theories is the Big Five theory of Paul

Costa and Robert McCrae. Based on repeated factor analysis of personality traits,
these authors have concluded that personality is comprised of five universal
dimensions: Extroversion, Agreeablness, Neuroticism, Openness, and
Conscientiousness. They believe that these five factors can be found in self-ratings
of personality in youngsters as soon as they are able to rate themselves, and
remain invariant through adulthood.
Temperament researchers have been looking for links between the factors identified
as temperament and the 'Big Five' factors, in both adults and children. In particular
Rothbart's questionnaires have been shown to correlate with personality
characteristics, opening up new avenues of inquiry. Rothbart's research has
demonstrated significant links to four of the Big Five personality traits, based on her
temperament dimensions of orienting sensitivity, effortful attention, extraversion
and negative affect. Only the personality characteristic of Agreeablness failed to
correlate significantly with one of the temperament scales.
Many other studies have been conducted, of course, including an increasing body of
European research led by Gedolph Kohnstamm, Ivan Mervielde and Berit Hagekull.
In the United States, temperament researchers Charles Halverson and Roy Martin
have published both theoretical and empirical papers on the temperamentpersonality connection. Temperament and personality are clearly related, but not
the same thing, based on both conceptual and empirical grounds. The links are
there, but have yet to be completely understood.
Identifying the temperament qualities that affect the development of personality in
infancy and early childhood is also a significant question. Fewer studies have looked
at this topic, which seeks to understand how temperament in a preverbal child
unfolds into personality characteristics in toddlerhood and early childhood.

Theories of Personality
Development
BY SUSHANT

Personality defines us as an individual. But how do we become what we really are?

Sometimes we need to develop ourselves and that is what is called personality
development. There are some things in us as an individual that we need to curb down
and some to improve. This is possible only through personality development.
There are certain defined theories of personality development which we need to look at.
These are various in numbers. Since Personality development has been a major topic
of interest for some of the most prominent thinkers in psychology, these have been
thoroughly defined and explained.
Many prominent theorists developed stage theories to describe various steps and
stages that occur on the path of personality development. Described below are some of

the theories that focus on various aspects of personality development, including

cognitive, social and moral development.
Piagets Stages of Cognitive Development- Jean Piagets theory of cognitive
development is one of the most frequently cited in psychology, despite being subject to
considerable criticism. While many aspects of his theory have not stood the test of time,
the central idea remains important today that is, that the children think differently than
adults. His theory has made significant contributions in the world of personality
development.
Freuds Stages of Psychosexual Development- He was one of the best-know thinkers in
the area of personality development and remains the most controversial too. In his wellknown stage theory of psychosexual development, Freud suggested that personality
develops in stages that are related to specific erogenous zones. Failure to successfully
complete these stages, according to him would lead to personality problems in
adulthood.
Freuds Structural Model of Personality- Freuds concept of the ego and superego has
gained prominence in popular culture. Despite of lack of support and considerable
skepticism from many researchers, he is one of the most researched one.
Eriksons Stages of Psychosocial Development- Erik Eriksons eight-stage theory of
human development is one of the best known theories in psychology. While the theory
builds on Freuds stages of psychosexual development, Erikson chose to focus on the
importance of social relationships on personality development. The theory also extends
beyond childhood to look at development across the entire lifespan.
Kohlbergs Stages of Moral Development- Lawrence Kohlberg developed a theory of
personality development that focused on the growth of moral thought. Building on a twostage process proposed by Piaget, Kohlberg expanded the theory to include six
different stages. While the theory does not accommodate different genders and cultures
equally, his theory remains important in the understanding of personality development.

Motivation and Personality

In his major works, Motivation and Personality (1954) and Toward a Psychology of
Being (1962), Maslow argued that each person has a hierarchy of needs that
must be satisfied, ranging from basic physiological requirements to love,
esteem, and, finally, self-actualization. As each need is satisfied, the next
higher level in the emotional hierarchy dominates conscious functioning.
Maslow believed that truly healthy people were self-actualizers because they
satisfied the highest psychological needs, fully integrating the components of

their personality, or self. His papers, published posthumously, were issued in

1971 as The Farther Reaches of Human Nature.
Motivation and Personality is a book on psychology by Abraham Maslow, first published in 1954.
Maslow's work deals with the subject of the nature of human fulfillment and the significance of
personal relationships, implementing a conceptualization of self-actualization. [1] Underachievers have
a need for social love and affection, but a self-actualized person has these "lower" needs gratified
and is able to pursue his or her own path towards self-actualization. [2]
Maslow's book is perhaps the best known contemporary work on human needs. Maslow postulated
a hierarchical pyramid of human needs stretching from basic physical needs at the bottom to
spiritual or transcendental needs at the top.[3]
In Motivation and Personality, Maslow argues that, in order for individuals to thrive and excel, a
health-fostering culture must be created.[4] Maslow is among the psychological theorists who believe
that when parents fail to provide a safe, nurturing environment, their children will develop deep
feelings of insecurity.[5] Maslow considers human beings to be energized by an actualizing tendency
and believe that well-being occurs to the extent people can freely express their inherent potentials

Ways to Improve Your Personality

Contrary to what you may think, you can improve your personality! Until quite recently it
was believed that personality is permanent.
In 1890 William James, the famous Harvard psychologist, wrote in his influential
work The Principles of Psychology, that personality was "set in plaster" by early
adulthood.
This view prevailed for over a century; however, the idea that personality is more fluid
has gained ground over time. We are now at the point where we realize that we have
influence and control over which traits and characteristics we want to develop or refine.

What is Personality?
The personality is the typical pattern of thinking, feeling, and behaviors that make a
person unique.
When we say that someone has a "good personality" we mean that they are likeable,
interesting and pleasant to be with.
Everyone wants to be attractive to others. To that end, having a good personality is vital
- probably even more so than good looks. In fact, approximately 85 percent of your
success and happiness will be a result of how well you interact with others. Ultimately, it

is your personality that determines whether people are attracted to, or shy away from
you.
While we can only enhance our looks to a certain extent, we have the ability to improve
the personality as much as we want. We can develop or integrate any trait we deem
fitting and agreeable.

Here are someways we can accomplish this:

1.

Be a better listener. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was considered one of the

most charming women in the world because she cultivated the skill of being an
exceptional listener. She was known for the way she would look a person in the
eyes, hang on their every word, and make them feel important. There is nothing
more appealing than having someone listen to you intently making you feel like
you're the only person in the world.

2.

Read more and expand your interests.The more you read and cultivate new
interests, the more interesting you are to others. When you meet new people it
gives you the opportunity to share what you know and to exchange your views
with them.

3.

Be a good conversationalist. This relates to how much you read and know.
Once you have much to contribute, learn how to talk about it with others. No one
can read about or know everything, so it's refreshing to learn from others those
things we don't have the time to about read ourselves. If you happen to be shy,
join a group like Toastmasters that encourages you to talk about what you know.
Enjoy the article: The Art of Conversation

4.

Have an Opinion.There is nothing more tiresome than trying to talk to someone

who has no opinion on anything. A conversation has nowhere to go if you have
nothing to expound on. If, however, you have an uncommon point of view or
differing opinion, you are more interesting and stimulating to be with socially
(unless you're a know-it-all, of course). A unique outlook expands
everyone's perspective.

5.

Meet New People. Make the effort to meet new people especially those unlike
you. It not only exposes you to different cultures and alternative ways of doing
things, it broadens your horizons.

6.

Be yourself. The next most tiresome thing after having no opinions is trying to
be something you're not. Molding yourself in order to fit in, or be accepted, usually
backfires. Since each of us is unique, expressing that uniqueness is what makes
us interesting. Attempting to be a carbon copy of someone else not only falls flat,
but reveals a lack of authenticity.

7.

Have a positive outlook and attitude. Who wants to be around people who are
negative, complain a lot, or have nothing good to say? In fact, most of us run
when we see them coming. Instead, be the kind of upbeat person who lights up a
room with your energy when you enter it. Do it by looking for the best in people
and things. Smile warmly, spread good cheer, and enliven others with your
presence.

8.

Be fun and see the humorous side of life. Everyone enjoys the company of
someone who makes them laugh, or smile, so look for the humorous, quirky side
in a situation - there always is one. Comic relief is a much welcome and needed
diversion at times. When you can add fun and lightheartedness to an otherwise
dull or gloomy setting, others will naturally be attracted to you, not to mention
grateful.

9.

Be supportive of others. Being supportive is probably the most endearing

quality you can integrate into your personality. Just as you yourself welcome it, be
the support for others when they need it. We all love a cheerleader in our corner;
someone who is encouraging, believes in us and helps pick us up when we're
down.

10. Have Integrity and treat people with respect. Being honest and true to your
word will bring you the admiration, respect and gratitude of others. Nothing
improves a person's personality more than integrity and respect - respect for
others, as well as respect for yourself.
We humans have the power and ability to shape our personalities however we wish.
When we develop ourselves to be all that we can be, we contribute to our own, as well
as the happiness of others.