Personality Tests and Assessments (Psychology Revivals)

Philip E. Vernon

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2014
• Print ISBN:
  9780415716659
• eBook ISBN:
  9781317999980
• Topic: Psychology
• Subtopic: History & Theory in Psychology
• Index: Psychology

Originally published in 1953 this book provided the first comprehensive account of methods of personality assessment by a British author. It starts with a short survey of personality theory, pointing out the difficulties in any method of testing or assessment. Next it describes the weaknesses of the common interview method. (Throughout the emphasis is on methods which are usable in educational or vocational guidance and selection, not on methods which are mainly of scientific interest.) Thereafter it takes up each main type of technique – tests based on physique or psychological measures, on expressive movement such as gestures and handwriting, tests of behaviour (including War Office Selection Board 'house party' methods), ratings and rating scales, questionnaires, and so-called projective techniques. The evidence for or against each test or method is surveyed and numerous references provided for relevant literature. Illustrative excerpts are given of many of the more promising tests, and some pictorial illustrations. British work in this field at the time is covered completely, and an attempt is made to provide a fair summary of the main contributions of American and other psychologists of the day.

INDEX OF SUBJECTS

Abilities indicative of personality, 25–6, 47, 62–7, 69–75, 83–4, 88, 91–3, 201

Ability to judge personality, 25, 80, 47, 53, 98, 100, 118–19, 206

Abstraction, 72–5

Achievement Quotient, 72

Acquaintanceship, effects on ratings, 118

Age, personality and, 14, 72, 167–8, 194

Aggressiveness, 6–9, 11, 34, 89–90, 96, 173

Allport's A-S Reaction Study, 124, 127, 131, 137–8, 143

Allport-Vernon-Lindzey Study of Values, 162, 165–7, 173, 199

Altruism, 93–4, 111

American Council on Education rating scale, 107

Analytic rating scales, 108–9

Annoyances test, 125–6, 128–9

Anti-semitism, 144, 148–9, 152

Army officers, selection of, 1, 24–5, 31, 88, 97–9, 107, 114, 136, 178–9, 181, 183, 200

Artistic productions and style, 17, 50, 61, 170–1

Artistic tastes, 192–5

Ascendance-submission, 13, 16, 41, 56, 65, 124, 131–2, 135, 138–9, 200

Asthenic-pyknic types, 36–7, 39, 41, 53, 55–6, 69, 80, 180

Astrology, 10, 32–3

Attitude-Interest Analysis (M-F) test, 169

Attitude scaling, 110, 124, 128, 152–4...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Original Title Page
• Original Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Foreword
• Table of Contents
• I. Introduction
• II. The Interview: Its Reliability and Validity
• III. Physical Signs of Personality
• IV. Expressive Movements
• V. Simple Behaviour and Cognitive Tests
• VI. Miniature and Real Life Situation Tests
• VII. Ratings and Judgments of Personality
• VIII. Self-Ratings and Personality Questionnaires
• IX. Measurement of Attitudes and Interests
• X. Projection Techniques
• XI. Conclusions and Future Developments
• Short Bibliography of Suggested Reading
• Index of Authors
• Index of Subjects