Assessing behavior in standardized settings. The role of objective personality tests

Abstract

In this theoretical study objective personality tests are presented as a possible means of assessing behavior in standardized settings. A new generation of objective personality tests that are directly linked to the use of computers is described. One of the prime characteristics of these tests is that they do not have any face validity and are therefore less susceptible to the faking or other answer distortions that are regularly found in the subjective assessment of personality by means of questionnaires. Recent developments in the area of objective personality tests are presented. The Hyperkinetic Syndrome Assessment Method (HKSD) is described as an example of the new generation of objective personality tests. The construction rationale, psychometric properties, and results on its validity are presented. Results from studies with clinical and non-clinical samples demonstrate the usefulness of the HKSD in practice. Objective personality tests are discussed as alternatives in the field of psychological assessment and as valid, economical instruments for the assessment of behavior.