Personality Assessments

Personality is the sum total of our psychological makeup and how we uniquely express ourselves in the world. It is the pattern of emotional qualities, behaviors, thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and habits that make us who we are. But for many of us, it can be difficult to describe our own personality.

What is a personality?

Personality is the term used to describe individual differences in ways of thinking, feeling and behaving.

Personality can be broadly understood in two main areas: how individual differences form particular personality characteristics, such as extraversion or agreeableness. The other is understanding how the various parts of a personality come together as a whole.

What is a personality assessment?

Personality assessment is useful for supporting or informing a clinical diagnosis and to structure and inform a psychological intervention.

Additionally, a personality assessment may be indicated where behavioural predictions across a wide range of contexts and settings may be needed, for example as part of job interviews or applications for military or police service etc.

There are two types of personality tests: self-report inventories and projective tests.

Self-Report Inventories:

Self-report inventories are a kind of objective test used to assess personality. They typically use multiple-choice items or numbered scales, which represent a range from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree).

Personality tests provide measures of such characteristics as feelings and emotional states, preoccupations, motivations, attitudes, and approaches to interpersonal relations. There is a diversity of approaches to personality assessment. These include such assessments as the interview, rating scales, self-reports, personality inventories, projective techniques, and behavioral observation.

How is a personality assessment usually run?

An assessment is usually conducted in stages and can include:

1. An initial interview with a psychologist: gathering comprehensive background information through interviews with the person and in the case of a child this may be interviews and information from parents and schoolteachers as well.

2. Completion of a personality assessment online via computer/tablet either at home or at the Anna Centre.

3. Results & feedback: to explain findings, provide recommendations, and opportunities to discuss any questions you may have with the psychologist. You will also receive a formal report with this information.

Something to consider:

Research clearly shows a connection between personality and health. If you believe that your personality, mental state, or behaviors are causing illness or worsening your current symptoms, talk to your doctor for advice on possible treatments which may involve psychotherapy, medication, or self-care.

Personality assessments measure characteristics that predict performance and future potential.