Personality tests are a common discourse nowadays. The likelihood of not recognizing personality tests is very rare. However, despite its widespread popularity, people are still confused about specific terminologies, such as a structured personality test.
So, what is a structured personality test?
A structured personality follows a consistent and systematic testing method. While each structured personality offers varying services, their similarity lies in utilizing standardized questions and responses every time.
In this blog, we will be diving into the details of structured personality tests. Moreover, we will help you understand how they differ from other types of tests, as well as provide you with their applications and examples. So, let’s get started!
What Is A Structured Personality Test?
A structured personality test is a standardized testing method with a pre-set questionnaire system. The test is designed to objectively measure different personalities, but within the same conditions.
To put it simply, a structured personality test is similar to the ones you take at school. Every individual gets evaluated using the same materials, however, the results vary vastly.
Similarly, the grounds of a structured personality test will remain the same. The testing conditions or interpretation method will follow a controlled setup. This helps to compare all the individuals or groups taking the test.
In the case of structured personality tests, a theoretical framework is followed. This typically makes the tests scientifically accurate. Moreover, this is why structured tests are generally more valid and reliable. The specific nature or structure of the test ensures that the quality isn’t compromised.
4 Key Components Of A Structured Personality Test
Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the different components of a structured personality test. This will further clarify what is a structured personality test.
Pre-defined Questions
You probably know this by now, but a structured personality always contains pre-defined questions. The questions are determined at the preliminary development stage of the test. After that, they are rarely ever changed unless the personality test is entirely updated.
However, the type and format of questions will vary depending on the personality test. Some offers True/False questions, while others may ask you to choose from multiple options.
Fixed Response And Self-Report
Structured personality tests are considered self-report. The individuals taking the test are in control of the answers. Although they typically have to choose from selected answers, there is no objective way to assess the accuracy of the answers.
Uniform Scoring System
Structured personality tests have a pre-established scoring system. For every response, there is a specific, quantifiable system. The answers are weighted against each other or summed up as a whole to reach a conclusion.
Administration And Interpretation Protocols
Lastly, a structured personality test will always have precise protocols. The terms and conditions for administering the tests will be mentioned. For example, you will get clear instructions on the environment in which the test should be completed. The same goes for interpreting the test results.
What are the Differences Between Structured And Unstructured Personality Tests?
A common confusion often arises regarding the difference between structured and unstructured personality tests. So, let’s delve a bit deeper to understand the differences.
The table below will summarize the key differences between the two types of personality tests.
| Structured Personality Tests | Unstructured Personality Tests |
| Includes standardized tests with fixed questions and scoring systems. | Includes open-ended tests with flexible formats and interpretation. |
| Maintains close-ended questions with pre-set answers. | Open-ended prompts, or projective techniques |
| Typically maintains self-report measures. | Doesn’t typically involve self-report measures. |
| Uniform administration and interpretation across all test takers. | Administration and interpretation vary depending on the examiner or setting. |
| Objective and quantifiable scoring involving automated or rubric-based systems. | Subjective and interpretive scoring that typically relies on expert judgment. |
| Highly reliable due to consistent structure. | Relatively low reliability due to variation across tests. |
| Easier to administer. | Relatively less easy to administer. |
| Typically quicker and affordable. | Can be time-consuming and expensive. |
Application Of Structured Personality Tests
Now you know all about what is a structured personality. However, you may wonder what they are used for. So, let’s find out the common applications of structured personality tests.
Organizational Use
The use of structured personality tests is widely prevalent in organizational contexts. To begin with, HRs frequently use these tests for recruitment. The tests are reliable for finding talented employees with the right cultural fit.
Moreover, they are used for team development and engagement. They help in assembling well-rounded teams while ensuring diversity. Moreover, structured personality tests guide teams with conflict resolution and leadership development approaches.
Self-Reflection
Another popular use of structured personality tests is developing self-awareness. These tests provide a road map to understanding what an individual is truly like. They highlight their unconscious personality traits, helping them understand which ones act as strengths and weaknesses.
Such self-reflection strategies allow individuals to go a long way. From improving personal relationships to career planning, personality tests offer crucial insights throughout one’s life.
Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
Structured personality tests provide significant support in clinical psychology and psychiatry. Therapists can get a better understanding of what their patients are like. This proves to be very useful when making a diagnosis, and sometimes with early intervention.
Additionally, the results can guide therapeutic approaches for patients. Doctors can customize different treatment plans based on an individual’s personality traits.
Academics
Structured personality tests are also a valuable tool in educational settings. They can guide both educators and students, creating a holistic approach for academics.
Not only do these tests identify a student’s learning styles, but they also guide them with career planning. The test results allow students to choose a career that will deeply resonate with them. As for educators, these tests help them better understand classroom management and interaction styles.
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4 Structured Personality Tests
Here are some common structured personality tests used worldwide. Their core functions may vary, however, they all share the same goal of providing a standardized personality testing method.
Big Five Personality Test
Starting with one of the most well-known structured personality tests, the Big Five. This is a self-reporting behavioral test focusing on five trait dimensions. These include Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism (OCEAN).
This test is considered to be highly reliable and supports varying cultures and ages. Therefore, it is commonly used during hiring and HR assessments as well as self-awareness and career counselling.
Hogan Personality Inventory (HPI)
Next, we have the Hogan Personality Inventory (HPI), which is a workplace-focused structured personality test. HPI follows the same Five Factor Model as the Big Five, however, it is adapted to be more suitable for workforces.
It measures normal personality based on seven primary scales of traits. This gives a well-rounded view of the individual, highlighting their strengths. Thus, this is an ideal to be used during the entire employee life cycle.
The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)
The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory is one such structured personality test that serves as a clinical diagnostic tool. It is widely used in psychopathology.
MMPI is done based on ten different health scales. Each scale consists of specific items to determine your mental conditions. It is highly valid and defensible, especially in medical contexts. Nonetheless, it is to be noted that this test should not be administered without professional guidance.
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is heavily rooted in well-recognized psychological theories. It is based on Jungian psychology, focusing more on personality types instead of traits.
So, MBTI categorizes individuals into 16 personality types based on four dichotomies. After the test is done, individuals are categorized into a four-letter type, such as INTJ, ESFP.
The MBTI is widely used in both professional and personal contexts. However, it is relatively less valid compared to the ones with trait-based formatting.
FAQ
Q. Are structured personality tests reliable?
Yes, structured personality tests are generally reliable. However, you must not compromise on the quality of the tests you’re opting for.
Q. What is the difference between structured and projective personality?
Structured personality tests rely on fixed questions, responses, and scoring systems. On the other hand, projective tests utilize external stimuli such as images and gather interpretive results.
Q. Are structured personality tests better than project personality tests?
One isn’t necessarily better than the other. Both personality tests offer incredible results when used correctly. However, you have to consider whose testing method, administration, and interpretation support suit you better.
Conclusion
What is a structured personality test, you ask? Structured personality tests are the ones that follow a standardized testing method. Such tests typically maintain a pre-determined set of questions to be used every time. Moreover, the responses are to be chosen from specific options.
What makes such tests so popular is that they’re easy to use and reliable. Due to their pre-determined system, the tests follow a well-organized assessment method each time. Overall, structured personality tests provide great assistance in both organizational and personal contexts.
