Chapter 8

Personality Assessment

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. Which of the following should have the least impact on our evaluation of a specific personality
assessment measure?
a. how reliable and valid it is
b. how cost-effective it is
c. how long it has been in use
d. how useful it is in producing good outcomes
ANS: C REF: Objective Tests DIF: Conceptual

2. Which of the following personality assessments is used by more clinical psychologists than any other
personality assessment?
a. MMPI-2
b. TAT
c. Rorschach
d. sentence completion methods
ANS: A REF: Objective Tests DIF: Factual MSC: WWW

3. __________ involve the administration of a standard set of questions or statements to which the examinee
responds using a fixed set of options.
a. Personality interviews
b. Objective personality tests
c. Projective personality tests
d. none of the above
ANS: B REF: Objective Tests DIF: Factual

4. An advantage of objective tests is that they typically allow clinical psychologists to

a. administer the same test to multiple clients at the same time.
b. allow significant leeway for personalized scoring and administration.
c. both of the above
d. neither of the above
ANS: A REF: Objective Tests DIF: Conceptual

5. Objective tests typically

a. focus on behaviors, rather than underlying motives.
b. contain some transparent items, making them more vulnerable to "faking" than projective
tests.
c. both of the above
d. neither of the above
ANS: C REF: Objective Tests DIF: Conceptual
 6. Dr. Ahmad is developing a new objective personality test by appealing to "authorities" in the field to
verify the validity of each item. This strategy for test construction is best labeled
a. empirical criterion keying.
b. factor analytic.
c. authoritarian.
d. content validation.
ANS: D REF: Objective Tests DIF: Applied

7. The content validation approach to objective test construction is based primarily upon
a. the prevailing opinions of experts in the field.
b. the predictive value of each potential item.
c. correlations with other tests measuring the same construct.
d. the premise that examinees cannot or will not reliably and accurately report on themselves.
ANS: A REF: Objective Tests DIF: Conceptual

8. The original MMPI was developed via the__________ approach to objective test construction.
a. empirical criterion keying
b. factor analytic
c. content validation
d. none of the above
ANS: A REF: Objective Tests DIF: Factual

9. A group of clinical psychologists is constructing an objective personality test. They find that people with
panic disorder tend to agree with the statement "I like brown shoes better than white shoes" significantly
more often than people without panic disorder. They decide to include this item on their test, even though
it makes little theoretical sense. These clinical psychologists are apparently using the __________
strategy of test construction.
a. factor analytic
b. construct validation
c. content validation
d. empirical criterion keying
ANS: D REF: Objective Tests DIF: Applied

10. The majority of contemporary test developers typically use the __________ approach to test construction.
a. factor analytic
b. content validation
c. construct validation
d. empirical criterion keying
ANS: A REF: Objective Tests DIF: Factual
11. A group of clinical psychologists is creating a new personality test by measuring correlations among
items from pre-existing personality tests. They have theory-based hypotheses regarding the outcome of
their procedure. They are apparently using the __________ approach to test construction.
a. confirmatory factor analytic
b. content validation
c. empirical criterion keying
d. exploratory factor analytic
ANS: A REF: Objective Tests DIF: Applied

12. A weakness of the factor analytic strategy of test construction is

a. its reliance on expert opinion over empirical data.
b. that items that measure the same thing may actually be measuring the wrong thing.
c. both of the above
d. neither of the above
ANS: B REF: Objective Tests DIF: Conceptual

13. The __________ approach to test construction involves many aspects of other approaches and is the most
labor-intensive.
a. construct validation
b. content validation
c. empirical criterion keying
d. factor analytic
ANS: A REF: Objective Tests DIF: Factual MSC: WWW

14. Hathaway and McKinley published the original MMPI in

a. 1930.
b. 1943.
c. 1956.
d. 1969.
ANS: B REF: Objective Tests DIF: Factual

15. Which of the following is true regarding the original MMPI?

a. Its development included a nationwide comparison of several thousand nonclinical
individuals and several thousand psychiatric patients.
b. Its primary purpose was to diagnose personality disorders.
c. It consisted of 550 true/false items.
d. all of the above
ANS: C REF: Objective Tests DIF: Conceptual

16. The Psychasthenia (Pt) scale on the MMPI is best characterized by which more popular contemporary
term?
a. Depressed
b. Dissociative
c. Psychotic
d. obsessive-compulsive
ANS: D REF: Objective Tests DIF: Factual
17. The original MMPI included items that
a. were deemed by experts in the field to be relevant to a particular scale.
b. were answered differently by individuals who had particular diagnoses than by individuals
with no diagnoses.
c. both of the above
d. neither of the above
ANS: B REF: Objective Tests DIF: Conceptual

18. The original MMPI was standardized on individuals who

a. were exclusively white.
b. were largely from small towns in Minnesota.
c. both of the above
d. neither of the above
ANS: C REF: Objective Tests DIF: Factual

19. A middle-aged male was admitted to the inpatient ward last night, and Dr. Harris had him complete the
MMPI-2 this morning. If he follows current clinical practice, how is Dr. Harris most likely to use the
MMPI-2 to arrive at a diagnosis?
a. He will interpret the patient’s scores on individual clinical scales.
b. He will interpret the patient’s pattern of scores across clinical scales.
c. both of the above
d. neither of the above
ANS: B REF: Objective Tests DIF: Applied

20. In which situation below would it be most appropriate to use the MMPI-2?
a. Dr. Vilas has been hired by an automotive company to screen individuals applying for
jobs with the company.
b. Dr. Viviano is interested in assessing for generalized anxiety disorder in a large group of
nursing home residents.
c. Dr. Vinton is interested in the psychological functioning of individuals facing felony
assault charges.
d. Dr. Venka would like insight into the psychodynamic functioning of soldiers returning
from their tours of duty.

ANS: C REF: Objective Tests DIF: Applied

21. The MMPI-2 was intended to improve the original MMPI's

a. language, which had become sexist and outdated.
b. standardization sample, which included too many highly educated and African-American
individuals.
c. scales, which were characterized by too much item overlap.
d. all of the above
ANS: A REF: Objective Tests DIF: Conceptual
22. Dr. Tagano is interested in seeing whether a recently admitted psychiatric inpatient was thoughtful and
earnest in his completion of the MMPI-2. What scale scores would Dr. Tagano examine to make that
determination?
a. the clinical scales
b. the supplementary scales
c. the content scales
d. none of the above
ANS: D REF: Objective Tests DIF: Applied

23. The purpose of the validity scales of the MMPI-2 is

a. to detect malingering, response sets, or carelessness in test-taking.
b. to provide a global measure of psychopathology across diagnostic categories.
c. to measure the similarity between an examinee's test-taking attitude and his/her attitude
during a previous administration.
d. none of the above
ANS: A REF: Objective Tests DIF: Conceptual

24. Joe is undergoing a psychological examination and is attempting to present himself in a favorable light. It
is most likely that Joe's __________ scale on the MMPI-2 will be elevated.
a. Mf
b. F
c. Pt or Sc
d. L or K
ANS: D REF: Objective Tests DIF: Applied

25. Lynn is undergoing a psychological examination and is attempting to exaggerate her problems and
symptoms. It is most likely that Lynn's __________ scale on the MMPI-2 will be elevated.
a. D
b. Sc
c. F
d. L
ANS: C REF: Objective Tests DIF: Applied

26. The Family Problems (FAM) scale on the MMPI-2 is an example of a

a. clinical scale.
b. validity scale.
c. VRIN scale.
d. content scale.
ANS: D REF: Objective Tests DIF: Factual MSC: WWW
27. Some MMPI-2 experts have argued that new supplemental scales should be adopted only if they provide
unique information about a person's behavior, personality, or psychopathology that is not conveyed by
other measures. In other words, new supplemental scales should have good
a. incremental validity.
b. convergent validity.
c. construct validity.
d. none of the above
ANS: A REF: Objective Tests DIF: Conceptual

28. Test bias refers to the situation in which

a. an individual attempts to present himself/herself in the best possible light on a test such as
the MMPI-2.
b. a psychologist tends to administer a test such as the MMPI-2 to certain groups more often
than to others.
c. different decisions or predictions are made for members of two groups even when they
obtain the same score on a test such as the MMPI-2.
d. an individual prejudges all psychological tests as being invalid and therefore refuses to
take them.
ANS: C REF: Objective Tests DIF: Conceptual

29. ALL BUT WHICH of the following is a point of significant concern regarding the MMPI-2?
a. the clarity of the item wording
b. the internal consistency of the scales
c. the amount of item overlap among scales
d. the characteristics of the normative sample
ANS: A REF: Objective Tests DIF: Conceptual

30. Jason is taking a personality test. He comes to the item “I like large social gatherings,” which measures
extraversion, and he rates his agreement on a 1-4 scale where 1 = strongly disagree and 4 = strongly
agree. Which of the following would be a reverse-scored version of this item?
a. “I like large social gatherings,” where -1 = strongly agree and -4 = strongly disagree
b. “I like small social gatherings,” where 1 = strongly disagree and 4 = strongly agree
c. “I dislike large social gatherings,” where 1 = strongly disagree and 4 = strongly agree
d. “I dislike small social gatherings,” where 1= strongly disagree and 4 = strongly agree
ANS: C REF: Objective Tests DIF: Applied

31. The NEO-PI-R contains

a. 240 true/false items.
b. 240 dimensional items.
c. 550 multiple choice items.
d. 550 true/false items.
ANS: B REF: Objective Tests DIF: Factual MSC: WWW
32. The domains measured by the NEO-PI-R include
a. Neuroticism and Openness to Experience.
b. Schizophrenia and Conscientiousness.
c. Need for Achievement and Extraversion.
d. all of the above
ANS: A REF: Objective Tests DIF: Factual

33. Jeremiah takes the NEO-PI-R and scores particularly high on the facets of Fantasy, Aesthetics, Feelings,
and Ideas. Based on this information alone, it is likely that he will score
a. relatively low on the domain of Neuroticism.
b. relatively low on the domain of Conscientiousness.
c. relatively high on the domain of Openness to Experience.
d. relatively high on the domain of Extraversion.
ANS: C REF: Objective Tests DIF: Applied
34. The NEO-PI-R was developed from a model of "normal" personality, but is increasingly being used with
clinical populations. Specifically, its use in assessing __________ has been supported by preliminary
research.
a. dissociative disorders
b. personality disorders
c. specific phobias
d. Dysthymia
ANS: B REF: Objective Tests DIF: Conceptual

35. ALL BUT WHICH is a valid criticism of the NEO-PI-R?

a. It contains very few validity items.
b. It demonstrates poor test-retest reliability.
c. It is unclear whether some facets really belong to their assigned domains.
d. It is unclear yet whether the instrument is appropriate for treatment planning.
ANS: B REF: Objective Tests DIF: Conceptual

36. The Rorschach consists of

a. 10 ink blots, none of which contain color.
b. 10 ink blots, half of which contain color.
c. 31 ink blots, none of which contain color.
d. 20 ink blots, half of which contain color.
ANS: B REF: Projective Tests DIF: Factual

37. What information, aside from information about content and determinants, is of interest to clinicians
administering the Rorschach?
a. examinees’ spontaneous remarks and exclamations during the test
b. how long it takes examinees to produce their first response to each card
c. the position of the card (e.g., rotated right) for each response
d. all of the above
ANS: D REF: Projective Tests DIF: Factual
38. Which of the following is an accurate statement about research on the reliability and validity of the
Rorschach?
a. Very few studies have evaluated the Rorschach empirically.
b. There has been a substantial amount of research on the Rorschach, and this research has
been overwhelmingly favorable.
c. There has been a substantial amount of research on the Rorschach, and this research has
been consistently negative.
d. Research evaluating the Rorschach has been mixed and, at times, of questionable quality.
ANS: D REF: Projective Tests DIF: Conceptual

39. Which of the following psychological assessment procedures requires examiners to note/record client’s
verbatim responses?
a. the Rorschach
b. the TAT
c. both of the above
d. neither of the above
ANS: C REF: Projective Tests DIF: Factual

40. Compared to the Rorschach, the TAT

a. is a purely objective personality test.
b. contains fewer cards.
c. is used to infer psychological needs.
d. has been subject to more criticism.
ANS: C REF: Projective Tests DIF: Conceptual

41. A clinical psychologist conducting a personality assessment instructs an examinee to "make up a story
about each of these pictures." The test being administered is probably the
a. Rorschach.
b. NEO-PI-R.
c. Rotter Incomplete Sentences Blank.
d. TAT.
ANS: D REF: Projective Tests DIF: Applied

42. Which of the following personality tests relies the least on formal, quantified scoring schemes?
a. TAT
b. Rorschach
c. MMPI-2
d. NEO-PI-R
ANS: A REF: Projective Tests DIF: Conceptual

43. ALL BUT WHICH of the following is an advantage of the Incomplete Sentences Blank (ISB)?
a. It is economical in terms of time and money.
b. Administration is easy, and doesn’t require much training.
c. Scoring is objective and reliable.
d. The data it yields allows clinicians to make deep psychodynamic formulations.
ANS: D REF: Projective Tests DIF: Conceptual
44. Dr. Klein believes that any patient who reports seeing lemurs on a Rorschach inkblot is necessarily
psychotic, when perhaps things aren’t quite so simple. This is an apt illustration of
a. the confirmation bias.
b. illusory correlation.
c. the availability heuristic.
d. subjective validation.
ANS: B REF: Illusory Correlation DIF: Applied

45. APA's ethical standards assert that psychologists employ only techniques or procedures that are
a. objective.
b. within their competence.
c. cost-effective.
d. widely accepted by professionals in the field.
ANS: B REF: The Use and Abuse of Testing DIF: Conceptual

46. Which of the following is most accurate?

a. Psychologists should obtain informed consent for the entire assessment process.
b. Psychologists should obtain informed consent for the entire assessment process from
clients who are referred by others, but not from those who refer themselves.
c. Psychologists should obtain informed consent for objective, but not projective, tests.
d. Psychologists should obtain informed consent for projective, but not objective, tests.
ANS: A REF: The Use and Abuse of Testing DIF: Conceptual
MSC: WWW

47. ALL BUT WHICH of the following is consistent with the goals of sound psychological assessment?
a. The test used should match the purpose of the assessment.
b. The test used should provide information beyond that of other, more economic, measures.
c. The test used should be one that is familiar to the examinee.
d. The test used should be one with which the examiner has adequate experience.
ANS: C REF: The Use and Abuse of Testing DIF: Conceptual

48. Rachael is a 14-year-old Latina who has been referred for a personality assessment. Theoretically, which
of the following factors may impact the validity of her assessment results?
a. The extent of her exposure to testing situations in the past.
b. The racial/ethnic make-up of the individual conducting the assessment.
c. The racial/ethnic breakdown of the standardization sample for the test.
d. Any of the above may impact the validity of the results.
ANS: D REF: The Use and Abuse of Testing DIF: Applied

49. Computers are increasingly used to administer and interpret assessment procedures because they often
a. cut costs.
b. enhance clients' attention and motivation.
c. standardize procedures across clinicians.
d. all of the above
 ANS: D REF: The Use and Abuse of Testing DIF: Conceptual

50. Which of the following is true of computer-based test interpretations (CBTIs)?

a. Surprisingly, these interpretations are just as subjective as interpretations generated by
clinicians.
b. They may be perceived as more reliable and valid than they in fact are.
c. both of the above
d. neither of the above
ANS: B REF: The Use and Abuse of Testing DIF: Conceptual

ESSAY

1.Summarize the content validation approach to objective test construction.

ANS: Not provided. REF: Objective Tests

2.Outline the steps involved in the construct validation approach to objective test construction. How does this
approach relate to the other approaches to test construction?
ANS: Not provided. REF: Objective Tests

3.Outline three reasons why the MMPI was revised. Also, outline two common criticisms of the MMPI-2.
ANS: Not provided. REF: Objective Tests

4.What is the purpose of the validity scales of the MMPI-2? Identify any two validity scales, and indicate
what, specifically, they assess.
ANS: Not provided. REF: Objective Tests

5.What is the nature of the controversy surrounding the use of the MMPI-2 in personnel settings?
ANS: Not provided. REF: Objective Tests

6.Describe the Rorschach, and briefly summarize its administration and scoring procedures. How might one
characterize its reliability and validity?
ANS: Not provided. REF: Projective Tests

7.Describe the TAT, and briefly summarize its administration and scoring procedures. Identify two general
guidelines for interpreting the TAT.
ANS: Not provided. REF: Projective Tests

8.What must be true in order for a test to be considered “biased”? Is it possible for a test to be biased if it
produces similar scores in different groups of people? Explain.
ANS: Not provided. REF: The Use and Abuse of Testing

9.How are clients protected from abuses of personality tests, including privacy and confidentiality violations?
ANS: Not provided. REF: The Use and Abuse of Testing

10. Explain in adequate detail at least three distinct drawbacks of Internet-mediated psychological
assessment.
ANS: Not provided. REF: The Use and Abuse of Testing