Chapter 2

Assessment and Methods

1. What parts of your personality would be difficult to capture with a self-report

questionnaire? Would any of the alternative methods do a better job?

My perspective is that the aspect of my personality that is most challenging to describe

in a self-report questionnaire is my musical preference. You can assume that I enjoy pop music
if you test me with a self-report questionnaire and look at my outward appearance. However, I
actually like hard rock or alternative rock more.

I believe that the alternative method that can do a better job is by using either "informant
reports" or "measuring behavior." This will be analyzed by asking someone that is close to me or
by simply observing what I usually prefer to listen to.

2. Why is it important for personality scales to be reliable and valid? What would happen
if researchers, individuals, and businesses relied on scales that were not reliable and
valid?

It is important that the personality scales be reliable and valid to ensure that the
collection of data, even after a retest, is true and accurate.

If researchers, individuals, and businesses rely on scales that are not reliable and valid,
it will be difficult for them to determine whether they can make good decisions on them. It cannot
be used and should not be used because it is incorrect data that can be harmful if misused.
Many aspects can be questioned, such as credibility. Just like in a business, it can be a reason
for your customer not to come back. Or if you are an employee who improves his or her
reputation, this may cause your ratings to deteriorate for a higher position.

3. A researcher finds a correlation between going to religious services and better health.
What are the three possibilities for causation in that study? What are some possible third
or confounding variables?

Religion is linked to healthier lifestyle choices, such as cutting back on alcohol and
smoking, as well as formal religious affiliation and participation in religious services. Meditation
and private prayer are examples of spiritual practices that help with emotion management,
which is good for mental health.
 What I understand is that if a person's faith is strong, he will only do things that please
Him and are in accordance with the written commandments of his religion. In that way, the
follower's health also becomes good.

The three possibilities when variables are correlated: Variable A causes Variable B, Variable B
causes Variable A, or Variable C causes both.

In this example, devotion to religion could cause good health, good health could cause great
devotion to religion, or a third variable (like good well-being) could cause both.