Personality testing

A personality test is an assessment device used to evaluate or measure aspects of personality, such as factors (dimensions) and specific traits.

A projective test attempts to uncover an individuals unconscious wishes, desires, fears, thoughts, needs and other 'hidden' aspects of personality by asking them to describe a see what to make up stories from ambiguous stimulus.

Projective tests provide an approach to the assessment of personality that is different from inventories.

Rather than requiring the individual to provide a response from a range of options as with personality inventories, the test-taker is presented with visual material for which they provide an interpretation.

The two most widely used projective tests are the Rorschach inkblot test and the Thematic Apperception Test.

The Rorschach test is seldom used in contemporary psychology. When used, it is administered individually, no restrictions is placed on the type of response made and no clues are given regarding the type of response expected.