Question

Personality assessments conducted by behaviorists rely primarily on:

a) Self-Reports
b) Observations
c) Projective Tests
d) Interviews

Answer 1

Behaviorists primarily use observations for personality assessment, focusing on measurable behaviors over self-reported inventories or projective tests like the MMPI or Rorschach Inkblot Test.

Step-by-step explanation:

Personality assessments conducted by behaviorists rely primarily on observations. Behaviorists tend to focus on observable and measurable behaviors rather than internal processes. This approach is different from methods that rely on self-report inventories, which are questionnaires where individuals report their own behaviors and inner states, often using a Likert scale. One example of a self-report inventory is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), which uses a series of true/false questions to assess personality. On the other hand, projective tests, like the Rorschach Inkblot Test and the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), employ ambiguous stimuli to uncover unconscious desires and fears. Behaviorists, with their emphasis on observable behavior over self-reported experiences or interpretations, would opt for systematic observation to assess personality.