Personality Assessment Instrument or Inventory Critique - Essay Example

PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENT Introduction Personality assessment instruments are practically designed by psychological experts to be able to come up with the most important personality evaluations that individuals need to be able to find their weaknesses and strengths that are necessary for one’s personal development. These assessment instruments are basically used by business HR departments as well as school counsellors to assess the individual capabilities of each person making up the said institutions1. Certainly, the reason behind the establishment of such personality measuring instruments are definitely designed towards the important need of allowing people the chances of development that they deserve for future personal progressions which in turn could help them reach their peak potentials as workers, as members of the society and as satisfied individuals. 2 Myers Briggs Type Indicator is among the most popular personality assessment instrument there is. Basically developed to be used by administrators of several institutions, this particular personality indicator is perceived to have one of the most effective approaches in assessing human personalities and bringing in conclusions that are worthwhile enough to be applied for evaluating and improving the personalities of people to allow them to realize their full potential as individuals that are aiming towards developmental progression in their own fields of expertise. 3 In the paragraphs that follow, an understanding on the major issues and efficiency factors of the said personality evaluation tool so as to identify the capabilities of the entire medium in implicating change and realization upon the persons taking the chance to becoming better individuals in their own fields of concentration. The essential values that are present in the process of evaluating the individual capabilities of the examiners are rather considered as the necessary factors that make this particular individual assessment tool a source of knowledgeable understanding on the part of the efficiency of the assessment instrument mentioned herein.4 Discussing this particular matter shall be better clarified within the paragraphs that follow. Why the Need for Assessment Tools in the Society Today The concept of human action is generally concluded by the aspect of the scientific facts to be significantly caused by the works of the mind of every individual. This idea is generally expressed in the saying “what the mind can perceive, the body can conceive.” Thus, to empirically understand and explain the actions and personality of each individual in the society, their mind and their idealism must be critically explored finding the relevant relationship between each humanistic aspect of each individual. It is generally noted by the scientific research society that the very essence and personality of each individual resides intrinsically in their minds, which manifests as the source of their thoughts fuelling their actions. Thus, for the very same reason that the field of psychology in the empirical world becomes an important aspect in the course of understanding the humanity and the path of their development becomes it intrinsically addresses the main core of each individual and the other aspects revolving around it. In this field, two specific branches become much intriguing and relevant to the scientific society’s concern namely the branch of scientific psychology and social psychology. Psychology mainly pertains to the empirical study of the intrinsic nature of each individual through considering relevant elements such his or her mental processes, behaviour, personal perception and identity and other human characteristics in relation to their actions and behaviours. The field of psychology firmly holds that every action of the individual has its own reason behind it causing the said manifestation and the said reason lies hidden in the mind of the involved person. In the study of the scientific psychology of the subject, aspects such as personal perception towards inward matters and outside factors, behavioural and personal motivation, and the learning process play a significant part in the psychological development of each individual manifested mainly in the personality of the person. In addition, psychology also addressed the aspect of abnormal behavioural characteristics studying its main causes and contributory factors thus, establishing a scientifically significant pattern for it. In application, psychology becomes an important aspect in every field of scientific studies involving society and human characteristics and in explaining the relevant relationship of the two.5 Social Psychology mainly deals with the influential relationship between the social environment and its elements and the human beings and their psychological aspect.6 This field mainly addresses the psychological field through the social structure and system in the society and how it significantly affect the mental processes of each individual. This attitude generally perceive human beings as individuals or as a group as the main unit of analysis employing the common social behaviour of interacting with other individuals as part of the social system developing their distinctive individuality and personality. In this concept, as each individual interact with other individuals, they develop their own identity with their own social perception and psychological personality.7 In the aspect of its application, this study is significantly relevant in profiling and understanding the psychological nature and personality of the subject by considering his or her social backgrounds and experiences while he or she interacts with others as part of the social system. In relation to these different roles of psychology to the human society, it could be observed that the application of personality assessment tools such as the Myers Briggs or the MBTI assessment tool makes a great implication on the use of all the different aspects of psychology and how these factors directly affect the belief system and the life perception of individuals in the society at present. The Development of Myers Briggs Type Indicator Assessment Test The MBTI is basically a test assessment tool that is made up of several psychometrical questionnaires that are directed towards the implicative senses of the individual examiners as they see the world and how those particular perceptions actually affect them as persons who are aiming to become best individuals that are able to become the peak performers in their own field. The questionnaires being developed by Carl Gustav Jung has naturally created a fine dispersal of the major issues connected to the relation that the society has towards the perception of one individual with regards the situations happening around him and how those particular matters affects him as a person who simply aims to become the best individuals that he truly is capable of. 8 Because of the proven competency of the testing process, the MBTI personality measurement tool has been recognized by many institutions to be most applicable and most comprehensive in the process of assessing people’s capability to succeed. Moreover, the idea is to often bring about personal realization among testers allowing a function of consideration and understanding on the part of the testers allowing them to see themselves and assess their capabilities of reaching their goals in life; a productive process of assessing one’s self to be able to realize the full potential that he has and being able to use that for practical purposes of personal development. 9 Applying Myers Briggs as a Form of Naturalistic Observation of Human Personality Naturalistic observation is considered as one of the basic methods in psychological research and study. This fundamental research methodology is known to divulge and aid the psychologist in his or her critical analysis of the human behaviour and characteristics while in socially acceptable public domain in his or her course of interacting with other individuals in their aspect of addressing their sociological needs. In this aspect of human interaction, psychologist try to significantly analyze the human nature as shown by their actions both involving the verbal and non-verbal communication style and how individuals manifest their motives while adhering to the social values and cultures pertaining to public communication.10 Naturalistic observation is commonly an actual observation of subjects mainly while they are in their course of social interaction specifically while they are in the public place. In the course of implementing this method, the researcher must also observe social values and cultural manners thus preventing any offensive act during the observation. In addition, the concept of personal privacy and inappropriate intrusion should also be constantly observed while the researcher is observing the subjects. All of these limitations must be implemented while the researcher observed the subjects in an isolated nature keeping his or her presence unnoticed and ideally absent to the personal space of the subject during their interaction. The only aspect to be focused on in this project is the psychological behavior of the subject as manifested by their very intricate details such as gestures, voice, reaction, facial expression and impression and others. In this aspect of applying the method of naturalistic observation during an actual psychological study, this author conducted a personal project using the said methodology. In this study, the researcher particularly this author will try to support the psychological hypothesis postulated by Aronson (et al, 2004) and Lesko (2000) regarding the psychological behavior and actions of individuals during an actual social interaction. This hypothesis will significantly govern the psychological observation project and will guide the researcher in establishing an interactional pattern as observed through the subjects. In this observation, the researcher presumptively hypothesized that the dominant speaker in the first part of the conversation will likely speak more frequently in the later part of the conversation. The chosen subjects are a man and a woman both Caucasians who are dining in a restaurant and are observably conversing with each other regarding a specific matter which both of them can relate. It is very apparent from the observable verbal and non-verbal aspect of their communication that the topic they are conversing is very critical as they both stresses their own involvement and awareness to it. Verbal recording is not very likely in this situation as an attempt to push this is prevented by the environment and the situation at hand however, few notes of recorded key words denotes that they are talking about a legal and ethical issue in their work environment. Words mentioned such as “management”, “chief-of-executives”, “a settlement bargain” and “what the labor union ought to do” will denote that they are both involve in the same job and in the same issue they are both probably working with. This will suggests that the situation is likely an informal meeting between the two, possible from different party, to discuss some important details regarding their business issue or a settlement for the resolution of their topic. This is established to be informal by the researcher as suggested by their attire as they are into casual wear. In non-verbal observation, the actions and gestures of the subjects will denote that they are with a professional background as their etiquettes and manners are significantly refined for the matter (Aronson et al, 2004; Lesko, 2000). In addition, their gesture mainly the speaker, at their specific chances, will suggests a clear and direct emphasis on his or her point thus suggesting that their topic is indeed of high importance (Lesko, 2000). This concept is further followed with the high intention of the other to listen carefully and then reply with his or her personal opinion on the matter with a language that is concise and direct to the point. The observed intonations and voice volume is noticeably well modulated suggesting that both of the subjects as well versed in the field of the topic and that they are cautious of offending the other. With critical and empirical observation of the subjects, this researcher has noted that the man seems to be speaking more frequently while the woman speaks primarily in response to the man’s idea. This factor suggests that the man has the part of proposal or he is the one with the main intention for the meeting, which is likely established by him. The verbal aspect of the woman can thus be regarded to be as a commentary or a supplementary mean in this conversation making her the character that the proposal is focused with. In the aspect of considering the hypothesis that is previously stated, the man is postulated to speak more frequently in the following period. And in the observed subjects, the man is indeed noted to have spoken more frequently than the woman, which establishes the hypothesized interactional pattern in the social behaviour of the observed individuals. As observed in the conducted naturalistic observation, it has been determined by this author that social interaction of individuals are indeed influenced by their natural nature and motives manifesting through the creation of the dominant speaker and the other being the receiver. The person who has the greater aim and intention in each social interaction who is more likely than one who established the said meeting has the greater possibility of becoming the main speaker in the conversation. On the other hand, the other party becomes the main receiver as his or her speech becomes supplementary or commentary with that of the other. Thus, in social interaction, it is very likely that one party manifest as the dominant side to guide and focus the conversation as he or she has the greater intention in the said interaction.11 Mixing up the process of naturalistic observation with that of the written test of MBTI, an expected result of implicative procedures of human personality evaluation could then be better realized. Nevertheless, the important issues that are considered in both ways of human observation pertain to the fact that the environment or the society that one lives in creates a great effect on his or her own life as a person. Through implying the procedures of MBTI and naturalistic observation altogether, the identification on how a person perceives the society and how that particular perception affects the life of the examiner or the person subjected for observation becomes a particular element that controls the process of assessing how the personality of the individual could be best used for his own personal development. 12 Conclusion Through this study and research, it could not be denied that psychology and its procedures on assessing the individual identifiable characters of a person serves as a major source of development in the field of identifying the possible elements needed for the society’s complete progress. Thus, psychology indeed becomes an important aspect in the development of the society and the human civilization as a whole. This field of scientific study can be applied to every field addressing basic and critical human nature understanding and explaining the intrinsic behavioural pattern of each individual and the actions manifesting the said psychological elements. This field of study firmly holds that humankind cannot further advance without first understanding their very basic nature and characteristics as significant units in the generally concept of humanity.13 The development of MBTI in the field of psychological assessment measurements naturally gave way to the possibility of creating the most essential factor of human understanding that is regarded along with personal development as per suggested through the said assessment medium. The possibilities of creating a more improvable room for everyone make a huge difference in the field of personal understanding and social progress altogether. References: Aronson, E. & Wilson T. D. & Akert R. M. (2004). Social Psychology. Prentice Hall, NY, USA. 5th Edition. Lesko, W. A. (2000). Readings in Social Psychology: General, Classic and Contemporary Selections. Allyn and Bacon, Boston, USA. 5th Edition. Myers, Isabel Briggs (1980). Gifts Differing: Understanding Personality Type. Davies-Black Publishing; Reprint edition (May 1, 1995). ISBN 0-89106-074-X Pearman, R.; Lombardo, M.; and Eichinger, R.(2005). YOU: Being More Effective In Your MBTI Type. Minn.:Lominger International, Inc. Pearman, R.; and Albritton, S. (1996). Im Not Crazy, Im Just Not You: The Real Meaning of the Sixteen Personality Types. Mountain View, Ca: Davies-Black Publishing. Read More