9.25 : Self-Report Tests of Personality

Self-report inventories are objective personality assessments that use multiple-choice items or numbered scales, typically ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). They are often called Likert scales after Rensis Likert. These inventories are widely used due to their ease of administration and cost-effectiveness. One of the most prominent examples is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), initially developed in the 1940s to assess abnormal personality traits.

The MMPI-2 and Its Scales

The MMPI-2, a widely used update of the original MMPI, contains 567 items that assess various personality characteristics. The test provides a clinical profile consisting of 10 key scales, such as depression, schizophrenia, and hypomania. It also includes specific scales to assess social introversion, psychopathic deviance, and risk factors for alcohol abuse. Additionally, the MMPI-2 incorporates validity scales designed to identify response inconsistencies or attempts to manipulate the outcome, such as the Lie Scale (L) and the True Response Inconsistency Scale (TRIN).

MMPI-2-RF

In 2008, the MMPI-2-RF was introduced as a streamlined version of the MMPI-2, featuring 338 items. Unlike its predecessor, it uses different clinical scales, such as those for antisocial behavior, low positive emotions, and demoralization, and omits scales like social introversion and paranoia.

Broader Applications

Although originally developed for clinical diagnosis, the MMPI and its revised forms are also used for occupational screening, especially in law enforcement, forensic assessments, and counseling.

NEO-PI-3

The Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Personality Inventory—3 (NEO-PI-3) is the latest version of the widely used NEO personality inventories, designed to assess the Five-Factor Model of personality. It closely mirrors its predecessor, the NEO-PI-R, with only 37 out of its 240 items revised or replaced to improve clarity and relevance. Both versions measure five broad personality traits: Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness. Each of these traits is further divided into six specific facets, for a total of 30 facets. These inventories provide a comprehensive assessment of an individual's personality across a wide range of domains.

Applications

In counseling and clinical settings, NEO-PI-3 helps understand personality patterns affecting mental health and relationships. It's also used in business for personnel selection and team dynamics. In sports psychology, it aids in assessing traits that impact performance and resilience. Researchers use it widely to study the relationship between personality traits and various life outcomes.