Personality assessment involves the measurement of human characteristics. The assessment gives the results of the information gathered intended to advance the psychological theory to increase the probability of a wise decision conclusion (Weiner & Greene, 2017). The assessment specialist seeks to define traits, measure them objectively and give their relation on significant social aspects of behavior. Most of the personality, measures assume that people have varying characteristics.
Personality test methods evaluate characteristics such as emotional states, feelings, motivations, attitudes, preoccupations, and approaches to interpersonal relations. Psychologists measure personality through projective measures and objective measures. Some of the assessment methods include; interview, rating scales, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventories ( MMPI), self-reports, and behavioral observation (Weiner & Greene, 2017). The objective assessment measures such as self-reports rely on responses from the participants about themselves and their beliefs using a question and answer format. Self-reports are used in both clinical and in non-clinical populations.
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The MMPI is the most widely used personality inventory in both clinical and non-clinical setting. The responses are scored out of 10. This tool measures depression, hypochondriasis, hysteria, masculinity, and social introversion. This method has been adopted in marital counseling, occupational screening of careers, and in law enforcement (Weiner & Greene, 2017) . Additionally, Neo Personality Inventory is used to measure the personal traits using a five-factor model, which include, extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and the openness to experience.
Projective personality tests a person responds to ambiguous stimuli. Test methods such as Rorsach Test consist of 10 inkblots in a symmetrical design and a person is shown the inkblots and asked to describe what each one look. The ten cards used in this test are; bilaterally symmetric inkblots, black and grey, black, grey and red, and pastels inkblots. The test examines emotional functioning and is considered as a tool for measuring unconscious attitudes. Additionally, Thematic Apperception Test measures achievement, aggression, dominance, affiliation, and nurturance (Weiner & Greene, 2017) . Thirty cards with ambiguous scenes are presented, and instances of recurring themes represent the needs of the respondent. Other assessment methods such as the use of observers and physiological assessment can be used.
Also, observers report on a person’s behavior. This method is less likely to have distortion and is either conducted by trained or informal observers. Also, physiological assessment such as skin conductance is used to measure arousal and anxiety (Weiner & Greene, 2017) . Additionally, hormonal assays, electroencephalography, fMRI, are also used in the physiological assessment.
I will evaluate my personality development by applying three personality theories. The first theory is Freud's psychoanalytic theory of personality. This theory explains what motivates and drives our personality development. Freud's added that an individual is driven to satisfy his biological urges which motivate us to interact with the environment early enough which plays an important role in our experiences (Schultz & Schultz, 2016) . Freud identified three parts of the brain which influence our level of responsiveness, the conscious, preconscious, and the subconscious mind. The conscious mind is majorly involved in self-awareness. The conscious mind addresses the ability to direct focus and imagine which is not real. The conscious mind serves as a scanner to perceive an event, activate a need to react, and depending on the importance of the event the information can be stored in either the subconscious or unconscious mind.
The Freud’s subconscious mind holds the current events that require immediate recalling. For instance, recalling a telephone number of a person, I just met. Also, the current information I use every day such as behavior patterns, current recurring thought, feeling, and habits. Consequently, the unconscious mind holds my memories and my past experiences. These memories include repressed memories and automatic thoughts. It’s from these memories that influence my beliefs, behaviors, and habits. Additionally, the conflict between the Id, Ego, and the Superego create a balance on how I behave and approach the world (Schultz & Schultz, 2016) . The Id operates at the unconscious mind and its concerned with the basic urges and needs. The two major instincts of Id are Eros and Thanatos. Eros directs us in seeking pleasure activities such as sex while Thanos is the death instinct that drives us to use aggressive force in destroying something. Additionally, Id can drive us to accept a gift from strangers which we know its wrong, but due to the urge, we end up taking those gifts. Unlike Id, the Ego operates using the principle of reality.
The Ego recognizes what is real and the consequences of certain behaviors. Ego mainly incorporates the social virtues we are supposed to adhere to live and socialize with other people. As we develop, we can have better reasoning, judgment, and perception. Additionally, the Ego controls our higher mental reasoning and try to solve the Id-Superego dilemma and find the ways of satisfying the basic urges within the limits of the Superego. The superego is concerned about our morals and social rules (Schultz & Schultz, 2016) . The morality progresses as the child recognize the cultural perspective of his community and can differentiate right and wrong. For instance, if the Id is strong and I still take the ice-cream from the stranger, afterward I will feel guilt and shame on my actions.
Regarding my personal life experiences, I apply various defense mechanism to avoid anxiety experiences. I apply repression to keep various unwanted ideas in the unconscious mind out of conscious awareness (Schultz & Schultz, 2016) . Other defense mechanisms I apply include denial, reaction formation, projection, displacement, sublimation, and rationalization.
The social learning theory proposed by Albert Bandura is one of the most significant theory in learning and development. He proposed that direct reinforcement does not account for all the learning process. His theory involves the use of the social element. A person can learn by watching the behaviors of other people. The basic components of this theory are observation, internal mental state, and finally, the theory outline learning does not always result in behavior change (Bandura, 2014) . For instance, I have been playing aggressive shooting video games in the last two years which has created an aggressive character in me. Additionally, watching horror movies has a direct impact on personal behavior.
Bandura identified three basic models of observational learning. Firstly, is the live model demonstrating an individual acting out a certain behavior. Secondly, an oral instructional model which involves the explanation and description of a behavior. And finally, a symbolic model where real or fictional character influences our behavior. For instance, characters in films, books, television programs or in social media are likely to influence my behaviors on aspects such as clothing, recreation, and aggressiveness (Bandura, 2014) . Additionally, Bandura added that mental states such as satisfaction, pride and sense of accomplishment affect our behavior. Similarly, I have practically identified that cognitions and internal thought help in connecting learning theories with developmental theories. Also, I have seen that learning does not essentially result in a transformation in behavior from this theory. Sometimes I learn new skills and information but don’t demonstrate the new behaviors.
Another personality theory is the Person-Centered Theory of Carl Rogers. Carl Rogers believed that through love and acceptance we help other people recognize and realize their potential. Through self-actualization I am can now achieve my life goal and talents to the fullest. Additionally, by confronting the problem, trying to find solutions I can get new ideas and information that I didn’t know before (Schultz & Schultz, 2016) . Additionally, providing warmth, love and acceptance have a positive developmental impact on others.
I will evaluate my personality by applying various personality assessment test methods. By using the self-awareness inventory, I will measure public self-consciousness and social anxiety. Additionally, I will also use the factor analysis to measure personality dimensions such as extraversion, neuroticism, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and openness to experience. Some personality tends to be influenced by others, for instance; more extraversion translates to more sociability and low shyness.
Also, I will use the thematic apperception test to measure satisfaction, aggression. This test employs the use cards and narrative to measure the respondents. Through repeated questions on the subject, the needs of the respondent can be assessed. Also, the use of self-reports inventories is more likely to provide inexpensive, reliable scores. Self-cores are conducted by filling a questionnaire with or without the help of an investigator. Additionally, observation can be applied to measure other people influence a person behavior. Trained observers or informal observers can do the observation. Consequently, The Rorschach Inkblot test can be used to measure reasoning and perception. The identification of the correct inkblot measures the rate of individual perception. Also, love scales can be assessed to identify how love impacts on others personality development.
In conclusion, personality assessment together with the developmental psychological theories can be used to assess a person’s personality. Psychologists measure personality through projective measures and objective measures. Some of the assessment methods include; interview, rating scales, Minnesota Multiphasic personality inventories, self-reports, and behavioral observation. In Freud's psychoanalytic theory of personality, he identified three parts of the brain which influence our level of responsiveness, the conscious, preconscious, and the subconscious mind. The social learning theory proposed by Albert Bandura is one of the most significant theory in learning and development where observation plays a crucial role in personality development. Also, in the Person-Centered Theory of Carl Rogers love and acceptability can help other people recognize and realize their potential. Finally, the different self-assessment tests to be used depend on the reliability of for the desired outcome.
References
Bandura, A. (2014). Social cognitive theory of the moral thought and action. In Handbook of the moral behavior and development (pp. 69-128). Psychology Press.
Schultz, D. P., & Schultz, S. E. (2016). Theories of personality . Cengage Learning.
Weiner, I. B., & Greene, R. L. (2017). Handbook of personality assessment . John Wiley & Sons.
